Family Interventions in Domestic Violence: A Handbook of Gender-Inclusive Theory and Treatment

"This book is a monumental volume for practitioners, clinical administrators, students, family violence researchers, and advocates....The authors provide a paradigm shift for exploring the myriad of issues in the field of domestic violence or intimate partner violence. The 642 pages are well organized and provide an outstanding compilation of innovative contributions from leaders in the field of domestic violence. The reader is readily able to ascertain the extent and ramifications for adoption of gender-inclusive theory and treatment and why it is imperative to work with all members of family systems faced with domestic violence. The case examples in the book are an added reward for the reader."
--Families in Society

"What this work reveals...is that alternative voices have long been a part of the struggle to address intimate and family violence--and now they are finally being heard."
--Linda G. Mills, JD, MSW, PhDD, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and University Life, Professor of Social Work, Public Policy and Law, New York University

"John Hamel and Tonia L. Nicholls break new ground in presenting an in-depth perspective on gender-inclusive treatment and theory related to family interventions for domestic violence. They have gathered together leading scholars and practitioners in the field who have the courage to challenge the existing paradigm in the domestic violence field, that all violence is caused by patriarchal ideology, and offer an alternative view based on fitting theory and treatment to both solid research data and the unique needs of family members. This groundbreaking work is based on sound science, but written in a style that will be accessible to students and practitioners, along with family violence scholars. The editors are to be congratulated not only for compiling such a comprehensive book which will serve as a benchmark for years to come, but for their ability to think outside the box and to offer alternative perspectives for responding to this pervasive problem. This important contribution tops the short list of 'must read' books for anyone working in the field of domestic violence."
--Sandra M. Stith, PhD, Professor and Program Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Virginia Tech, Falls Church, VA

"Family Interventions in Domestic Violence: A Handbook of Gender-Inclusive Theory and Treatment is an eye opening book that offers pragmatic and innovative solutions on the prevention and treatment of intimate partner violence in the 21st century. As the founder of a gender-inclusive nationwide domestic violence victim's organization I implore public policy makers, law enforcement personnel, and those who work in the domestic violence and mental health fields to read this book! As well it should be a required text for college students going into those fields. As Dr. Straus so aptly states in chapter 3 of the book, 'It is time to make the effort be one that is aimed at ending all partner violence, not just violence against women. Only then will women, as well as all other human beings, be safe in their own homes.' I absolutely concur!"
--Jan Brown, Founder and Executive Director, Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

"This innovative book will help move the field of family violence forward! After years of intervention, theory, and research, it had become clear that 'one size does not fit all' perpetrators or victims of intimate partner violence. It is important to that we embrace alternative approaches that are research and/or theory based, pursue additional types of interventions, and be open to working with all family members to change abusive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in relationships. This book includes numerous chapters that meet these goals. Family interventions are one option to consider for abuse-specific counseling for certain offenders and victims, and this book describes good programs worth considering. This book is an excellent resource for practitioners, researchers, and advocates!"
--Robert Geffner, PhD, ABPN, ABPP, President, Family Violence & Sexual Abuse Assault Institute (FVSAI) and President, Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), Alliant International University

"John Hamel and Tonia L. Nicholls have provided an excellent, informative, and comprehensive handbook to advance evidence-based practice in relation to partner violence and help rescue it from the 'dark ages' of ideologically driven interventions."
--John Archer, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, UK

"This is a powerful volume, and about time....Unifying the work of pioneering scholars and practitioners, the authors collectively move the field of domestic violence beyond conventional, unilateral interventions. The voices here present evidence for and solutions towards a broader, more authentic approach to domestic violence in all of its complexities."
-- Miriam K. Ehrensaft, PhD, Division of Child Psychiatry,Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY

"This book makes significant advances in the field of domestic violence research. With its offerings of contemporary theoretical perspectives and original empirical findings, it is poised to be a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and policy makers alike."
--Jamila Bookwala, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Lafayette College

"For nearly four decades, intimate violence research, policy, and treatment have been intertwined with femininst theory, in general, and patriarchy theory, in particular. While this conceptual marriage has served the political agenda of advocates and eased the communication of the causes and consequences of intimate violence, this limited theoretical frame focuses our attention on partner assault as a woman's issue, and not a human issue. With the present anthology, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates have a compilation of articles that examines the gender-intimate violence relationship. The authors do not assume a male-female difference in the forms or consequences of intimate violence; rather they critically evaluate the literature and carefully draw their conclusions based on this evidence. All gender-based assumptions are open to questioning....There are no simple answers; these chapters offer the reader insights into the complexity of intimate violence. They represent a step-forward in the understanding and treatment of a problem that characterizes so many relationships. Perhaps, most importantly, these chapters push the debate to the next level....As clinicians and policymakers, the 'one-model-fits-all' needs replacing. We have to appreciate intimate violence's diversity and tailor our interventions and policies. This book shows the reader where we have been and where we must go if we wish to confront adequately this social problem."
--David B. Sugarman, PhD, Chair & Professor of Psychology, Rhode Island College

"This book is a monumental volume for practitioners, clinical administrators, students, family violence researchers, and advocates....The authors provide a paradigm shift for exploring the myriad of issues in the field of domestic violence or intimate partner violence. The 642 pages are well organized and provide an outstanding compilation of innovative contributions from leaders in the field of domestic violence. The reader is readily able to ascertain the extent and ramifications for adoption of gender-inclusive theory and treatment and why it is imperative to work with all members of family systems faced with domestic violence. The case examples in the book are an added reward for the reader."
--Families in Society

"What this work reveals...is that alternative voices have long been a part of the struggle to address intimate and family violence--and now they are finally being heard."
--Linda G. Mills, JD, MSW, PhDD, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and University Life, Professor of Social Work, Public Policy and Law, New York University

"John Hamel and Tonia L. Nicholls break new ground in presenting an in-depth perspective on gender-inclusive treatment and theory related to family interventions for domestic violence. They have gathered together leading scholars and practitioners in the field who have the courage to challenge the existing paradigm in the domestic violence field, that all violence is caused by patriarchal ideology, and offer an alternative view based on fitting theory and treatment to both solid research data and the unique needs of family members. This groundbreaking work is based on sound science, but written in a style that will be accessible to students and practitioners, along with family violence scholars. The editors are to be congratulated not only for compiling such a comprehensive book which will serve as a benchmark for years to come, but for their ability to think outside the box and to offer alternative perspectives for responding to this pervasive problem. This important contribution tops the short list of 'must read' books for anyone working in the field of domestic violence."
--Sandra M. Stith, PhD, Professor and Program Director, Marriage and Family Therapy Program, Virginia Tech, Falls Church, VA

"Family Interventions in Domestic Violence: A Handbook of Gender-Inclusive Theory and Treatment is an eye opening book that offers pragmatic and innovative solutions on the prevention and treatment of intimate partner violence in the 21st century. As the founder of a gender-inclusive nationwide domestic violence victim's organization I implore public policy makers, law enforcement personnel, and those who work in the domestic violence and mental health fields to read this book! As well it should be a required text for college students going into those fields. As Dr. Straus so aptly states in chapter 3 of the book, 'It is time to make the effort be one that is aimed at ending all partner violence, not just violence against women. Only then will women, as well as all other human beings, be safe in their own homes.' I absolutely concur!"
--Jan Brown, Founder and Executive Director, Domestic Abuse Helpline for Men and Women

"This innovative book will help move the field of family violence forward! After years of intervention, theory, and research, it had become clear that 'one size does not fit all' perpetrators or victims of intimate partner violence. It is important to that we embrace alternative approaches that are research and/or theory based, pursue additional types of interventions, and be open to working with all family members to change abusive attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors in relationships. This book includes numerous chapters that meet these goals. Family interventions are one option to consider for abuse-specific counseling for certain offenders and victims, and this book describes good programs worth considering. This book is an excellent resource for practitioners, researchers, and advocates!"
--Robert Geffner, PhD, ABPN, ABPP, President, Family Violence & Sexual Abuse Assault Institute (FVSAI) and President, Institute on Violence, Abuse and Trauma (IVAT), Alliant International University

"John Hamel and Tonia L. Nicholls have provided an excellent, informative, and comprehensive handbook to advance evidence-based practice in relation to partner violence and help rescue it from the 'dark ages' of ideologically driven interventions."
--John Archer, PhD, Department of Psychology, University of Central Lancashire, Lancashire, UK

"This is a powerful volume, and about time....Unifying the work of pioneering scholars and practitioners, the authors collectively move the field of domestic violence beyond conventional, unilateral interventions. The voices here present evidence for and solutions towards a broader, more authentic approach to domestic violence in all of its complexities."
-- Miriam K. Ehrensaft, PhD, Division of Child Psychiatry, Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons, NY

"This book makes significant advances in the field of domestic violence research. With its offerings of contemporary theoretical perspectives and original empirical findings, it is poised to be a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and policy makers alike."
--Jamila Bookwala, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, Lafayette College

"For nearly four decades, intimate violence research, policy, and treatment have been intertwined with femininst theory, in general, and patriarchy theory, in particular. While this conceptual marriage has served the political agenda of advocates and eased the communication of the causes and consequences of intimate violence, this limited theoretical frame focuses our attention on partner assault as a woman's issue, and not a human issue. With the present anthology, researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and advocates have a compilation of articles that examines the gender-intimate violence relationship. The authors do not assume a male-female difference in the forms or consequences of intimate violence; rather they critically evaluate the literature and carefully draw their conclusions based on this evidence. All gender-based assumptions are open to questioning....There are no simple answers; these chapters offer the reader insights into the complexity of intimate violence. They represent a step-forward in the understanding and treatment of a problem that characterizes so many relationships. Perhaps, most importantly, these chapters push the debate to the next level....As clinicians and policymakers, the 'one-model-fits-all' needs replacing. We have to appreciate intimate violence's diversity and tailor our interventions and policies. This book shows the reader where we have been and where we must go if we wish to confront adequately this social problem."
--David B. Sugarman, PhD, Chair & Professor of Psychology, Rhode Island College