Summary
After providing a brief theoretical overview of the causes of domestic violence and its prevalence in our society and its causes, the authors cover such key topics as barriers to intervention, variations in arrest practices, the role of state and federal legislation, and case prosecution. Focusing on both victims and offenders, the book includes unique chapters on models for judicial intervention, domestic violence and health, and children and domestic violence.
Contents
1. Introduction : the role and context of agency responses to domestic violence -- 2. The scope of the problem : defining and measuring domestic violence -- 3. Matters of history, faith, and society -- 4. Theoretical explanations for domestic violence -- 5. Selective screening : barriers to intervention -- 6. The impetus for change -- 7. The evolution of arrest preferences : criminalizing the societal response -- 8. Variations in arrest practices -- 9. The role of state and federal legislation -- 10. Case prosecution : the journey from a roadblock to a change agent -- 11. Civil courts and the role of restraining orders -- 12. Models for judicial intervention -- 13. Community-based and court-sponsored diversions -- 14. Domestic violence, health, and the health system response -- 15. Domestic violence, children, and the institutional response.