The book presents a broad overview and summary of research findings concerning the magnitude of family violence, how family violence is assessed, the consequences of family violence, and what is known about the many factors that contribute to family violence. Other topics cover the professional and social responses to family violence, including clinical treatments, educational efforts within the schools, the ways social agencies respond to disclosures of family violence and the approaches taken to prevent family violence. Each chapter features an interview of a nationally or internationally known expert that provides an example of the variety of philosophies and training typical of the many professionals working in the field of family violence; case studies; and intermediary and chapter summaries. The topics addressed in major chapters include: (1) physical child abuse; (2) child sexual abuse; (3) child neglect and psychological maltreatment; (4) children exposed to marital violence; (5) courtship violence and date rape; (6) marital violence; (7) battered women; (8) batterers; and (9) elder abuse. Tables, notes, appendixes, references, indexes