The book is specifically designed to assist such professionals as firefighters, police officers, community service officers, correctional workers, emergency medical workers, ministers, probation and parole officers, social workers, and victim assistance workers. Although the book focuses on criminal justice agents, particularly the police, its principles and guidelines can be applied in most settings. The first three chapters describe the history of crisis intervention and crisis intervention programs, skills needed to be an effective crisis intervener, and the process of crisis intervention. Subsequent chapters focus on the nature and extent of criminal victimization, intimate violence, domestic violence, child abuse and neglect, and elder abuse. Final chapters examine suicide intervention, stress and burnout experienced by crisis interveners, and the rationale for crisis intervention education. References and tables