Discusses the following topics concerning violence against women: (1) its scope; (2) its impact on women; (3) the community services provided in response to the violence; (4) clinical treatment of victims; and (5) violence prevention. Presents a research agenda that addresses the gaps in existing literature. (JS)

Four projects involving high school sophomores, college students, and young women investigated intrafamily violence and incest in southern Appalachia. Relationships of family stress, educational attainment, and family process variables to physical violence and abuse are discussed. Over one-third of women reported at least one incestuous…

Reviews the past decade's literature on woman battering so as to summarize selected works that may offer the greatest assistance to activists, practitioners, and researchers. Covers theoretical viewpoints, battered women and the medical field, law enforcement, the legal system, homicide, marital rape, child custody, popular myths, and stereotypes.…

Reports on a study of 110 Detroit (Michigan) domestic assault cases to determine whether victim preference about arrest of the assailant had an impact on police behavior and the recurrence of violence. Finds that mandatory arrest policies reduces police discretion and ignores victim preference. (CFR)

Offers the author's experiences in teaching a college-level domestic violence sociology course, presenting specific strategies and a description of the syllabus. The course presents a feminist analysis of domestic violence and examines how the patriarchal structure and ideology of society create and perpetuate violence. (SLD)

Hypothesized battered women (compared with nonbattered women) use more violence, receive lower levels of social support, and experience higher levels of self-blame. Also hypothesized these three variables are interrelated. Research results supported all the major hypotheses and revealed female-to-male violence in battered women is negatively…

Urges teachers to be aware of the types of family violence, their prevalence, and the common effects of family violence on young children. Explores indicators of abuse and neglect, factors that protect against family violence, suggestions for creating a nurturing classroom climate, and the role of early childhood professionals in cases of abuse.…

In this study we investigated gender role attitudes, religion, and spirituality as predictors of beliefs about violence against women in a sample of 316 White college students. Results indicated that gender role attitudes were the best overall predictor of domestic violence beliefs. Spirituality also contributed to the models for men and women.…

As noted by Goldsmid and Wilson a quarter of a century ago, a "curious gulf" exists between teaching and research in sociology. This article addresses this problem by suggesting ways in which a current research article from the American Sociological Review can be used in courses at three different levels of the undergraduate curriculum. The active…

This study examined perceptions regarding intimate partner abuse (IPV) in a largely Latino community in New Jersey through focus groups with Latino community members and key informant interviews with providers of services to this population. Questions examined definitions of partner abuse; perceptions of factors contributing to, or protecting…

It is estimated that between 3.3 million and 10 million children in the U.S. witness physical violence between their parents each year. This type of violence ranges from overhearing some form of violent behavior from their bedrooms, to seeing severe acts of violence such as beatings or assaults with guns and knives. In many cases, these youth…

The issue of physical punishment is a particularly controversial one at the moment as child advocates are engaged in a struggle to persuade the New Zealand government to repeal a defence in law (section 59 of the 1961 "Crimes Act") which justifies parents hitting their children provided the force used is "reasonable in the…

Research examining the epidemiology and etiology of child abuse, parent and child characteristics, and the effects of maltreatment is reviewed. Unemployment, lower social class status, marital discord, and health problems are more common among abusive families. Increased knowledge improves the clinician's ability to intervene, treat, and prevent…

A study involving over 480 interviews in five diverse communities (Atlanta, Georgia; Duluth, Minnesota; Providence, Rhode Island; Riverside, California; Roswell, New Mexico) identified barriers facing physicians and other health care providers in identifying, treating, and referring victims of family violence, and illuminated the relationships of…

Suggests that changes in the structure of medical education can contribute to creating a health care system that helps end domestic violence. Medical educators can provide training experiences that foster understanding of complex social issues and development of cooperative skills, help students integrate them into routine practice, and model…