Multifaceted Approaches in Spouse Abuse Treatment (From Violence and Sexual Abuse at Home: Current Issues in Spousal Battering and Child Maltreatment, P 131-148, 1997, Robert Geffner, et al., eds. -- See NCJ-168285)

• NCJ Number: 168293
• Author(s): E Lipchik; E A Sirles; A D Kubicki
• Date Published: 1997
• Length: 18 pages
• Sale Source: Haworth Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The understanding of spouse abuse has changed considerably over the past 30 years, shifting from a perspective based on individual psychopathology to that of a pervasive social problem.

Abstract

Current treatment solutions for stopping violence are limited to those that address resocializing the batterer. Several States often restrict the use of State funds for batterer groups and forbid couples treatment as a primary treatment option, despite the fact that most couples choose to remain in their relationships in the presence of repeated violence. The authors argue for broadening treatment options to include a specific type of couples treatment as part of a coordinated community response to domestic violence. Solution-focused therapy is described as an example of treating relationship problems that makes safety a priority and does not blame victims. Solution-focused therapy is viewed as a suitable treatment approach for couples who want to stay together and for couples who want a safe way to separate. A case study involving the use of solution-focused therapy is included. 41 references