3 Review(s)

For undergraduate-level courses in Domestic Violence, Domestic Crimes, Family Violence, and Sociology of Domestic Violence in departments of Criminal Justice, Criminology, and Sociology. This is the first text to explore both the causes, consequences, and prevalence of domestic violence and the positive law enforcement response. Using a socio-legal approach-with emphasis on the practical criminal justice perspective-it will help both instructors with no field experience and educators with professional backgrounds to effectively meld together the theory and practice of domestic violence for students of the social sciences. It focuses on all forms of domestic violence perpetrated in a variety of gender, age, and orientation relationships. Salient Features Prevalence rates in the United States and from selected countries around the world. Helps students understand the wide range and depth of domestic violence as a major social concern-nationally and internationally. Theories of causation and victimization. Introduces students to familiar criminological categories to help them better understand the causes of domestic violence and to prepare them to deal with these situations as law enforcement professionals. Consistent terminology for the crimes of domestic violence. Explains and defines the common terms associated with domestic violence-an often murky area-to give students a solid base for communicating with precision about specifics. A contemporary view of the criminal justice experience with diverse forms of domestic violence and populations. Introduces students to the full range of contemporary domestic violence: dating violence, sibling abuse, rape and incest, child and elder abuse and neglect, male battering, lesbian and gay violence, and violence against women. Specific issues that affect African Americans and American Indians are interwoven throughout. This thorough coverage better prepares students to recognize a wide range of domestic violence. The myths about both victims and offenders. Explodes myths about domestic violence scenarios and shows how women and men, the elderly and children, heterosexuals and homosexuals all can be perpetrators and victims as well. The legal resources for victims. Explains the forms of protection available through the criminal and civil legal avenues within the criminal justice system and methods of accessing these resources. The positive law enforcement response. Teaches students of the ideal law enforcement response to domestic violence, and warns them of common mistakes while offering positive alternatives. Crime identification and investigation. Shows students how to apply vigorous investigative techniques to crimes of domestic violence affecting both the elder and child populations. Considers all types of violence, including stalking, domestic homicide, and date violence. End of Chapter Questions. Gives students the opportunity to test comprehension of concepts and procedures and to deepen and challenge their own thinking.