Death by Domestic Violence: Preventing the Murders and Murder-Suicides (Social and Psychological Issues: Challenges and Solutions)

Each year, about 33 percent of all women and 3 percent of all men murdered in the United States, are killed by a so-called intimate, a spouse, partner, or lover. Nationwide, murder by an intimate is the number one cause of death for pregnant women. And murder by an intimate is not just an American problem. A European task force recently found domestic violence accounts for 25 percent of all homicides in London, and 35 percent across England and Wales. In this timely book, van Wormer and Roberts describe the problem, and what they have seen and heard on the front lines with both women and men who have escaped domestic violence that was escalating toward deadly levels. The text examines not only the psychology of the batterer but of domestic murder, and domestic murder-suicide. Drawn from the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, the text includes a safety plan for those at risk and a chapter providing narratives of women in prison for killing their abusive husband or partner. Drawing on the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, Death by Domestic Violence separates domestic violence myths and facts, explains the traumatic bonding that occurs between batterer and victim, and details how one facet of the solution could be school-based interventions and education. The book culminates with recommendations for further reduction of harm and a safety plan for those at risk. From the Publisher: Each year, about 33 percent of all women and 3 percent of all men murdered in the United States, are killed by a so-called intimate, a spouse, partner, or lover. Nationwide, murder by an intimate is the number one cause of death for pregnant women. And murder by an intimate is not just an American problem. A European task force recently found domestic violence accounts for 25 percent of all homicides in London, and 35 percent across England and Wales. In this timely book, van Wormer and Roberts describe the problem, and what they have seen and heard on the front lines with both women and men who have escaped domestic violence that was escalating toward deadly levels. The text examines not only the psychology of the batterer but of domestic murder, and domestic murder-suicide. Drawn from the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, the text includes a safety plan for those at risk and a chapter providing narratives of women in prison for killing their abusive husband or partner. Drawing on the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, Death by Domestic Violence separates domestic violence myths and facts, explains the traumatic bonding that occurs between batterer and victim, and details how one facet of the solution could be school-based interventions and education. The book culminates with recommendations for further reduction of harm and a safety plan for those at risk. Contents......Page 8 Preface......Page 10 1: Women and Families at Risk: An Overview......Page 14 Part I: The Psychology of Life-Threatening Abuse......Page 34 2: Risk Factors for Domestic Homicide......Page 36 3: The Dynamics of Murder-Suicide in Domestic Situations......Page 55 4: The Role of Alcohol and Other Drugs in Domestic Homicide......Page 67 5: Issues of Power and Control in the Death of a Loved One......Page 79 6: Portraits of Life in the Aftermath of Domestic Homicide......Page 98 Part II: The Sociology of Domestic Homicide......Page 112 7: Domestic Homicide Worldwide......Page 114 8: Response of the U.S. Criminal Justice System......Page 129 9: Personal Narratives of Women in Prison for Partner Homicide......Page 149 Part III: Prevention......Page 162 10: Safety Plans for the Prevention of Intimate Homicide......Page 164 11: Work with Dangerous Battering Men......Page 177 D......Page 200 R......Page 201 Z......Page 202 About the Authors and Contributors......Page 204 Women and families at risk : an overview Risk factors for domestic homicide The dynamics of murder-suicide in domestic situations The role of alcohol and other drugs in domestic homicide / Katherine van Wormer, Alissa Mallow, and Kelly Ward Issues of power and control in the death of a loved one / Kelly Ward and Carolyn Bradley Portraits of life in the aftermath of domestic homicide / Marilyn Armour Domestic homicide worldwide / Katherine van Wormer and Woochan Shim Response of the U.S. criminal justice system Personal narratives of women in prison for partner homicide Safety plans for the prevention of intimate homicide Work with dangerous battering men.