Sex-role stereotyping and economic inequality are considered as they contribute to family violence, particularly wife and child abuse. The role of the social worker as intervenor, educator, and advocate within the criminal justice system is discussed, with particular focus on worker-prosecutor interaction in domestic violence cases. The role of the social worker in increasing criminal justice system accessibility and accountability also is considered. The historical and social context, incidence, causes, and legal and social work response to wife battering are delineated; victim and offender profiles are presented. A review of child abuse considers its cultural context, forms, and causes and discusses social work interventions with abusive families. Types of elder abuse and factors contributing to it are described, and interventions are suggested that emphasize the provision of support services for the dependent elderly and their caregivers. The psychological effects of rape on the victim are described, together with their implications for crisis intervention, group support, and individual and family therapy. Finally, the relationship between pornography and violence, particularly sexual crimes, is examined in a review of theory and research. A case dealing with the use of videotaped testimony in child sexual assault is appended. Chapter notes and index. For individual chapters, see NCJ 112887-112893.