Waveland Press - Alan R. Kemp

Today’s headlines are filled with increasingly alarming accounts of abuse by coaches, religious leaders, institutional caregivers, family members, and others. Abuse in Society provides an illuminating and timely introduction to the physical, emotional/psychological, and sexual faces of abuse. The text presents a much-needed, in-depth assessment of child maltreatment, intimate partner violence, abuse by clergy, abuse of the elderly and disabled, and abuse in sports. Among the specific problems covered are bullying and sibling abuse, courtship violence and date rape, and abuse in the relationships of sexual minorities. The author explores these complex issues using an ecological approach, examining interacting explanations from a variety of perspectives and levels of analysis: societal and cultural, family, and individual.

The author’s down-to-earth, conversational style is easy to understand, and his work is exceptionally well researched and thoroughly documented. Those who are pursuing careers in the fields of sociology, psychology, psychiatry, and human-service professions such as social work, pastoral counseling, mental health counseling, marriage and family therapy, and psychiatric nursing will find this text valuable.

End-of-chapter resources include a Review Guide, Critical Thinking Questions, Recommended Reading, Internet Resources, and Suggested Activities.

"This text goes in depth without being confusing. End-of-chapter resources are very helpful and are being built into the course structure. This textbook fit the bill just right." -- Brian Masciadrelli, SUNY Fredonia

“Well written and engaging. Breaks down the factors associated with abuse and covers many of the core issues addressed in the sociological study of abuse. Provides theoretical framework in explaining why certain kinds of abuse occur within ethnic groups and social environments, and how law enforcement, social services, and advocacy groups address the different types of abuses that occur in society. Highly recommended.” — Jay Vargas, Minnesota West Community & Technical College

“Great comprehensive text. I really like the organization and discussion questions presented in the chapters.” — Kelly Richmond-Moore, California State University, Sacramento

Part I: THE NATURE OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT

1. The Abuse Landscape
Professional Attention / What is Maltreatment? / Theory, Research, and Practice / Summary

Part II: CHILD MALTREATMENT

2. Child Physical Abuse
Historical Context / Defining Physical Abuse / Major Types of Physical Injuries / Psychological Impacts / Intergenerational Transmission / Risk and Resiliency / Fabricated or Induced Illness / Summary

3. Child Neglect
The Nature of Neglect / Neglect of Neglect / Explanations and Risk Factors / Combating Child Neglect / Implications / Summary

4. Child Psychological Maltreatment
What Is Psychological Maltreatment? / Explaining the Impact of Child Psychological Maltreatment / Research on Child Psychological Maltreatment / Explanations and Risk Factors / Resiliency: The Ability to Bounce Back / Summary

5. Child Sexual Abuse
The Problem / How Big Is the Problem? / The Nature of Child Sexual Abuse / The Impact of Child Sexual Abuse / Conceptualizing Victimization / On the Horizon / Summary

6. Sexual Offenders
Types of Offenders / Psychiatric Diagnosis / Profile Models / The Four-Factor Offender Model / The Dynamic Opposition Model / The Addiction Model / Youthful Offenders / Intervention / Treatment for Sex Offenders / Does Sex Offender Treatment Work? / Concluding Comments / Summary

7. Bullying and Sibling Abuse
Bullying / Sibling Abuse / Summary

8. Legal and Ethical Issues in Child Maltreatment
Reporting Child Maltreatment / CPS Investigation / Investigative Interviewing / Risk Assessment / Emergency Intervention / Dependency Proceedings / Criminal Cases / Civil Suits / Repressed Memory/False Memory Debate / Issues and Trends / Summary

Part III: INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

9. Courtship Violence and Date Rape
Courtship Violence / Stalking / Date Rape / Summary

10. Domestic Violence
Historical Context / What Is Domestic Violence? / Prevalence and Incidence / Male and Female Violence / Impact on Victims / Patterns of Domestic Violence / Why Victims Stay / Causes and Risk Factors / Classifying Perpetrators / Intervention / Summary

11. Abuse in the Relationships of Sexual Minorities
Abuse among Sexual Minorities / Contextualizing the Abuse / Nature of the Abuse / Programs and Services / Summary

Part IV: MALTREATMENT OF ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE

12. Abuse of Elderly and Disabled People
Historical Context / Defining Elder Maltreatment / Incidence and Prevalence / Indicators of Elder Abuse / Impact / Understanding the Problem / Intervention / Summary

Part V: EMERGING ISSUES

13. Abuse by Clergy
Sexual Misconduct by the Clergy / Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse / Summary

14. Abuse in Sports
Abuse in Youth Sports / Abuse in Adult Sports / Summary

Part VI: CONCLUSION
Where We've Come From / How We've Responded / Trauma Theory: A Revolution / Intervention: What We've Done About It / The Road Ahead: Where We Go from Here