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Praise for Family Interventions in Domestic Violence “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 “… 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 “For nearly four decades, intimate violence research, policy, and treatment have been intertwined with feminist 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 of 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
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Family Interventions in Domestic Violence
John Hamel, LCSW, a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles, has been a court-certified Batterer Intervention Provider since 1992, headquartered in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area. His clinical services included family violence assessments and treatment programs for abusive men, women and families. Mr. Hamel has provided consultation and training to mental health professionals, batterer intervention providers, victim advocates, attorneys and law enforcement, and has served as an expert court witness in criminal and family law courts. His articles on partner violence have appeared in the Family Violence & Sexual Assault Bulletin and International Journal of Men’s Health. Mr. Hamel is also the author of Gender-Inclusive Treatment of Intimate Partner Abuse: A Comprehensive Approach (Springer, 2005). His web site is www.JohnHamel.net. Tonia L. Nicholls, PhD, obtained a doctorate in Law and Forensic Psychology from Simon Fraser University in 2002. The Social Sciences and Humanities Res