Asserts that courtship and marital violence represents forms of the same phenomenon and should be examined as relationship violence. Presents a model of relationship violence based on three premises concerning courtship and marital violence. Discusses advantages and implications of a model of relationship violence for family professionals.…

This paper concerns different aspects of four dilemmas of objectivity and bias facing expert witnesses in trials involving violence between intimates: (1) the urge to be correct, clever, and consistent; (2) the tension between being an advocate and being an educator in the courtroom; (3) the influence of experts' life experiences and presumed…

A three-fold exploratory study was conducted to examine the current literature regarding the effects of spousal abuse on observing children, evaluate children's programs within battered women's shelters, and propose a model children's program designed to meet children's needs. Based on the literature and the children's programs currently existing,…

Presents integrated theory which identifies attributes of intimate life assumed to reduce deterrent efficacy of arrest and thus increase probability of violence in marriage and marriagelike relationships. Research findings suggest that increased privacy, inequality, and legitimation of violence are associated with reduction in perceived arrest…

In addition to emotional, physical, and economic issues, battered women from fundamentalist churches have religious issues that need to be addressed. Clergy may not help because of their legalistic attitudes about marriage and sex roles. Explains teachings of fundamentalist churches, explores how they perpetuate violent relationships, and offers…

Problems related to family violence are complex and multi-faceted and involve large numbers of people in this country. A number of types of violence in families are identified initially; however, the manual focuses on the concerns of battered women, or interspousal abuse. Information focuses on: (1) the nature, causes and effects of family…

Describes research exploring three questions: (1) What impacts of abuse are literacy workers observing in their programs?; (2) How can literacy workers address issues of violence?; and (3) What does "safety" mean in literacy programs? (SK)

Notes that systemic or interactional counseling approaches are based on alternative view of causality and symptomatic behavior, resulting in treatment, ethical, and legal challenges to counselor. Uses spouse abuse as example to review basic components of system approaches, identify potential problems inherent in their implementation, and offer…

The American Psychological Association (APA) Task Force on Violence and the Family was convened to bring psychological research and clinical experience to bear on the problem of family violence and to make recommendations for solutions. This report of the Task Force highlights the need for a systematic, multi-faceted, multidisciplinary, and…

Notes that battered women in rural America are a neglected population. Addresses the plight of these women and points to the unique sociological factors and religious beliefs that make them a difficult group to reach. Presents implications for counselor education programing. (Author)

Presents a family systems perspective on wife battering and treatment implications for mental health counselors. Focuses on the processes and interrelatedness between events and people in a battering relationship. Discusses some of salient literature on wife battering from an individual perspective and suggests that future models and theories…

Presents a group treatment model using Thought-Feeling-Action (TFA) Systems, an offense- and offender-specific group treatment for abusers. Describes use of TFA Systems in group of court-referred male spouse-abusers. Reviews evolution of TFA Systems, then focuses on TFA Systems treatment of spouse abusers. Notes that system can be adapted to other…

Presents a theoretical construct (prostrate-detonate-dominate-ingratiate) to explain the development and maintenance of wife-battering. Ties the construct to research evidence and, along with clinical observations, uses it to develop a rationale for a type of therapy deemed effective with wife-batters: group marital Relationship Enhancement.…

Provides a practical step-by-step model to guide all family therapists when working with couples involved in marital violence. Encourages therapists to determine whether violence is occurring, select a treatment modality, and either make arrangements to treat or refer to appropriate therapist. Five steps are outlined for use when conjoint couple…

The violence women experience in battering is both physical and psychological. A study in 1980 found that 1 in 10 women was hit, kicked, beaten, punched and terrorized by her husband or partner in Canada. Children living in battered homes may suffer a higher risk of direct physical or sexual abuse and many are neglected. Some progress has been…