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 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…

This document provides highlights and recommendations of a conference on battered children and child abuse sponsored by the Council for International Organizations of Medical Sciences (CIOMS) and the World Health Organization (WHO). In a discussion of the nature of the child abuse problem, the history of child maltreatment is briefly reviewed and…

Notes that spouse-abuse families may have service needs that span fields of medical, legal, and social services; law enforcement; and employment. Provides brief overview of multiple service needs of spouse-abuse families and describes framework for developing, organizing, and implementing community-based spouse abuse protection and family…

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…

Synthesizes theoretical and empirical findings about psychological responses to traumatization across survivors of rape, childhood sexual or physical abuse, domestic violence, crime, disasters, and the Vietnam War. Describes five major categories of response and presents new theoretical model for understanding individual variations in victim…

Describes a number of brief interventions for providing services directly to children, including individual counseling as well as peer, sibling, and family group meetings. Mothers received education regarding parenting skills. A school liaison system was established; the shelter staff members were trained regarding child advocacy. (Author)

Maintains that abusive parents are often the victims of child abuse and consequently experience conflict and trauma in development, leaving them unable to make normal adult adjustment to the role of parent. Presents a psychoeducational outpatient treatment model aimed at helping abusive parents acquire skills that they lack as a result of deficits…

Developed creative approach to conduct needs assessment in rural schools that involved sending questionnaires to 49 key informants and 145 high school students. Key informants and students agreed that the 2 most serious issues were alcohol-related problems and family dysfunction (violence, divorce). Both groups indicated need for a teen center;…