The Batterer As Parent ─ Addressing the Impact of Domestic Violence on Family Dynamics

Bancroft, who has been a counselor, clinical supervisor in batterer intervention programs, custody evaluator, child abuse investigator, and expert witness, et al. help therapists, child protective workers, family and juvenile court personnel, school personnel, other human service providers, and battered women in addressing the complex impact that batterers have on family functioning. They focus on male batterers of a woman who has children (while noting applications to lesbian and gay batterers) and consider their attitudes and behaviors as parents, the home conditions that violence creates, and the emotional and behavioral effects on children. Drawing on research and their experiences working with men who batter and their families, they describe the characteristics of batterers and misconceptions about them; their parenting style, the risk of child abuse, and their effects as a role model; psychological risks to children, including effects on mother-child relationships; the post-separation role of batterers, tactics in custody disputes, and continuing efforts to protect children; the batterer as an incest perpetrator; theories of assessment; assessing risk in children and structuring visitation; and assessing and fostering change and improving community responses. This edition has a stronger focus on diversity with updates on race and culture throughout, including from the child's perspective; more on parental alienation theories, common couple violence, and children's recovery; and more tables, figures, and case examples. Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)