Sexualized Violence Against Women and Children: A Psychology and Law Perspective FROM THE PUBLISHER
The first book to interweave clinical and legal perspectives on such recently formulated diagnoses as rape trauma syndrome and battered woman syndrome, this up-to-date resource helps mental health clinicians better understand their role in criminal or civil proceedings related to sexualized violence against women and children. Foundational knowledge is provided on the nature, prevalence, and psychological consequences of a variety of crimes, including rape, spousal abuse, stalking, sexual harassment, and child sexual abuse. The ways victims and perpetrators are dealt with in the legal system are critically examined, and important recent reforms discussed. Presenting guidelines and findings that will improve forensic assessment, this is a vital sourcebook for those called on to serve as expert witnesses and an invaluable student text.
SYNOPSIS
US contributors from the two fields examine wrongs against women and children, especially sexual wrongs, as new psychological syndromes and as legal causes of action to protect women and children against sexualized violence. Among their topics are using expert testimony on battering and its effects in homicide trials of battered women who strike back, memories of childhood abuse, and the social psychology of mothers who kill. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR