The section on child abuse reviews the myths about child abuse and discusses the magnitude of the problem, causes, defining and reporting child abuse, sexual abuse, disclosures, and treatment. Dating violence is discussed in another section and encompasses its incidence, gender differences, "triggers" of violence in dating relationships, support systems, and special problems of teenage victims of dating violence. The section on wife assault first defines it and then reviews the magnitude of the problem. An overview of current theories of wife assault addresses the victim profile, offender profile, why women stay, intervention, treatment, and prevention. A section on the effects on children who witness wife assault notes that such children are more likely to be aggressive as children and perpetrate family violence as adults. Other sections pertain to the nature and prevention of abuse of the elderly, the role of the school in addressing family violence, family violence in literature, media violence and children, and making the connection between family peace and world peace. Notes, bibliographies, and suggested readings accompany each section.