Family Violence: A Canadian Introduction

Book excerpt: Family violence is hard for most people to understand. The fact that we are more likely to be killed or assaulted by family members than anyone else seems incredible. Yet for many Canadians the family is a dangerous place, far from the haven of love and security that we would like to believe. In this book, sociologists Julianne Momirov and Ann Duffy explore the many forms that violence can take, from physical abuse to emotional deprivation. The victims, the theories, and the factors increasing risk are all clearly presented. Policies and programs which would address this issue -- from personal intervention to institutional reforms -- are also outlined. This new edition incorporates up-to-date statistical information on the prevalence of family violence. It reports on recent initiatives to find more successful ways to respond to the needs of victims and to rehabilitate the perpetrators. This is the definitive Canadian book for anyone wanting to learn more about this disturbing phenomenon.