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Domestic Abuse

This section offers a selection of helpful resources on domestic abuse.  All these resources are available on loan from the Women’s Support Project. You can also request books through your local library.

Download this resource list in pdf format. [275kb]

Theory and Practice

Domestic violence action for change
By Gill Hague & Ellen Malos
Pub. New Clarion Press, Cheltenham, 1998
Written in close co-operation with the Women’s Aid movement,it
analyses the nature and causes of domestic violence, improving
police response, family and housing law, child protection issues,
multi-agency initiatives and abusers programmes.

From homebreakers to jailbreakers
Southall Black Sisters
Edit By Rahila Gupta
Pub. Zed Books, London, 2003
With a foreword from Baroness Helena Kennedy this is the story
of Southall Black Sisters an organisation set up in 1979 to meet the
needs of Asian and Afro-Caribbean women suffering domestic abuse.
Apart from providing support and welfare services they have been involved
campaigns to highlight the need for changes in the social, political,
economic and cultural constrictions of women using the service. Included
are chapters on: forced marriage, domestic violence and black women,
mental illness and domestic violence, immigration and domestic violence.

Good practice guidelines
For workers supporting women who are living with abusive partners
Produced by Glasgow Violence Against Women Partnership in
association with Greater Glasgow Training Consortium, 2006
This publication was developed by the GVAWP and the GGTC as part of their
work on improving service responses to women who are living with domestic
abuse. It is aimed at workers who are engaged in providing direct services to
women or who may be supporting women who are living with an abusive
partner.

Home Truths About Domestic Violence
Feminist influences on policy and practice a reader
Edit By Jalna Hanmer and Catherine Itzin with Sheila Quaid and Debra
Wrigglesworth Pub. Routledge, London, 2000
This reader looks at the nature of and the effects of domestic violence upon
women children, social policy and the feminist viewpoint, interventions with
men, and current initiatives.

Is anyone listening?
Accountability and women survivors of domestic violence
By Gill Hague, Audrey Mullender and Rosemary Aris
Pub. Routledge, London, 2003
Draws on the experience of services users and provides thinking about
abused women’s participation in policy and service development. It discusses
empowerment issues and the women’s movement against gender violence. It
includes many practical ideas involving abused women in the improvement of
both policy and practice and gives examples of inspiring innovative projects.

Rethinking domestic violence
The social work and probation response
By Audrey Mullender
Pub. Routledge, London, 1996
Explodes the myths concerning causes of domestic violence and explores how the
responses of social workers and probation officers to the women, children and
men involved need to be far better coordinated and more effective. The book
goes on to explore the opportunities and challenges of social work and probation
practice and policy-making.

Strengthening diversity
Good practice in delivering domestic violence services to black women and
children
Dhanwant K Rai and Ravi K Thiara
Pub. Women’s Aid Federation, 1999
A good practice guide designed to enable the development of appropriate refuge
and support services for black women and children experiencing domestic abuse.

Struggle to survive
Challenges for delivering services on mental health, substance misuse and
domestic violence
By Jackie Barron
Pub. Women’s Aid Federation England, 2004
A survey focusing on existing service provision for women who are experiencing
domestic violence and also have mental health and/or substance use issues.
“Struggle to Survive” identifies some of the gaps in existing services and
highlights the resources needed to improve services in the future. It also looks at
the difficulties faced by women seeking help for substance misuse and mental
health issues.

The hidden struggle
Statutory and voluntary responses to violence against women
By Amina Mama
Pub. Whiting and Birch, London, 1996
An introductory section provides an international perspective on violence against
black and third world women and the response of agencies. It then reports on
research undertaken among women in black communities in London to identify
the prevalence of violence and the effectiveness of the response of statutory and
voluntary agencies. Issues of housing and tenancy status, women and the law and
women and the police response are considered. A detailed analysis of the
contrasting policies in two London boroughs is provided. The role of the
voluntary sector, the refuge movement and approaches to challenging racism in
this sector are considered.

Women at risk
Domestic violence and women’s health
By Evan Stark and Anne Flitcraft
Pub. Sage, USA, 1996
Explores the theoretical perspectives of this dramatic expression of male
domination, together with health consequences for women and clinical
interventions. The authors found that the traditional resources women turn to
for help reinforce male domination: the medical, psychiatric and behavioural
problems presented by battered women arise because male strategies of coercion,
isolation and control converge with discriminatory structures and institutional
practices to make it extremely difficult, sometimes impossible, for women to
escape from abusive relationships.

The Impact On Women

Coercive control
By Evan Stark
Pub. Oxford University Press, New York, 2007
Evan Stark shows in terrifying detail how men can use coercive control to extend
their dominance over time and through social space in ways that subvert
women’s autonomy, isolate them, and infiltrate the most intimate corners in
their lives. Against this backdrop, he analyses the cases of three women tried for
crimes committed in the context of abuse, showing that their reactions are only
intelligible when they are reframed as victims of coercive control rather than as
“battered wives”. This is the first book to show that most abused women who
seek help do so because their rights and liberties have been jeopardised, not
because they have been injured. Elevating coercive control from a second-class
offence to a human rights violation, Stark explains why law, policy, and advocacy
must shift its focus to emphasise how coercive control jeopardises women’s
freedom in everyday life.

Mothering through domestic violence
By Lorraine Radford and Marianne Hester
Pub. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2006
Research into children and domestic violence in recent years has emphasised the
importance of giving positive support to a non-abusive parent for effective child
protection. But what exactly does positive support involve? Based on findings
from six primary research studies carried out by the authors themselves, as well
as other published research, this book reveals how undermining mothering -
specifically, family courts and social work agencies blaming mothers for their
own victimisation - plays a key role in locking women into abusive relationships
and exacerbating the damage done by domestic violence. It explores the principle
message drawn from the research: that the needs of individual victims should
inform risk assessment and safety planning by welfare practitioners.

Provoked
By Kiranjit Ahluwalia and Rahila Gupta
Pub. HarperCollins, India, 2007
Kirnanjit Ahluwalia was sentenced to life imprisonment for killing her abusive
husband. For ten years, she suffered domestic abuse of profound severity,
including physical violence, food deprivation, and marital rape This book is her
story, and how a group of women got together to petition against the sentence,
and ultimately succeeded in helping her.

Trauma and recovery

From domestic abuse to political terror
By Judith Lewis Herman
Pub. Pandora Books, London, 1994
Divided into two parts: “Traumatic Disorders” and “Stages of Recovery”, the
author draws on the links between survivors of hostage crisis and survivors of
domestic violence and shows how differently media and society perceive each of
the “victims”. Stages in recovery are explored, from the healing relationship and
its importance, through safety issues to remembrance and mourning, and finally
reconnection and commonality.

Why does he do that?
Inside the minds of angry and controlling men
By Lundy Bancroft
Pub. Berkley Books, New York, 2002
Gives an excellent insight into the behaviour of abusive men. It is a useful
resource both for women who are experiencing or have experienced abuse and for
those working with abusers. The author identifies types of abusive men,
addressing different styles, from the physical batterer to the strictly verbal abuser.
He dispels the myths surrounding abuse, exposing common excuses used by
abusers, such as having experienced an abusive childhood or substance addiction.
He also gives answers to commonly asked questions, such as what warning signs
of abuse to look for early in a relationship; what is and isn’t abusive behaviour;
how to know if a woman and her children are in danger; and how to tell when a
man is really changing.

The Impact On Children

Children living with domestic violence
Putting men’s abuse of women on the childcare agenda
Ed. Audrey Mullender & Rebecca Morley
Pub. Whiting & Birch, London, 1994
Begins by providing children’s accounts of living with violence against their
mothers. It goes on to look at links between violence against women and child
abuse, the impact of the 1989 Children’s Act on contact visits and in one chapter
makes a very good assessment of mothers’ and children’s rights in relation to
contact and abusive men.

Children living with domestic violence
Towards a framework for assessment and intervention
By Martin C. Calder with Dr Gordon T Harold and Emma L. Howarth
Pub. Russell House Publishing, Dorset, 2006
This accessible book attempts to guide professionals on how to draw on the best
of theory, research and practice and apply it in a coherent way to work with
women and children living with domestic violence.

Children’s perspectives on domestic violence
By Audrey Mullendar, Gill Hague, Umme F Imam, Liz Kelly, Ellen Malos and
Linda Regan
Pub. Sage Publications, London, 2002
Drawing on research designed to hear the voices of children and young people,
this important book examines children’s experiences and perspectives on living
with domestic violence. The authors explore: the effect of domestic violence on
children, what children say would help them most in coping with domestic
violence, the advice children would offer other children who find themselves in
similar circumstances, their mothers and the helping professions. This accessible
book written for students, their teachers, researchers and all those working with
children across social work, health, child psychology and psychiatry, the law and
education and provide a vital insight into children’s own perspectives on
domestic violence.

The hidden victims: children and domestic violence
Pub. NCH, England, 1994
This is a study of 108 women from various NCH Family Centres throughout
Britain. The study arose from the need for childcare practitioners to have a better
understanding of the experience of families living with domestic violence.

It hurts me too: children’s experiences of domestic violence and refuge life
By Alex Saunders
Pub. WAFE, NISW, CHILDLINE, 1995
Based on interviews with young people who spent part of their childhood in a
refuge. Also included is information on phone calls made to Childline by
children living in violent homes and work with children in Women’s Aid refuges.
The book ends with recommendations for policy and practice in education,
social services, health, housing and the law.

Understanding what children say
Children’s experiences of domestic violence, parental substance misuse and
parental health problems
By Sarah Gorin
Pub. National Children’s Bureau, London, 2004
This literature review examines what children say about living in families where there is domestic violence, parental substance misuse or parental health problems. It examines research undertaken in the UK from 1990 to 2003, to provide us with a better understanding of the range of children’s experiences. It describes the key themes in children’s experiences, how children feel and the difficulties they experience at home, where their coping strategies are, and thesupport they would like to receive.

Childhood experiences of domestic violence

By Caroline McGee
Pub. Jessica Kingsley, London, 2000
Based on first hand accounts of children and their mothers regarding their
experiences of both domestic violence and support services. This book explores,
the types of violence experienced by mothers and witnessed by children, the
types of abuse children are subjected to, children’s understanding of domestic
violence, the barriers for children and mothers seeking help, children and
mothers’ views of how best to protect children and their perception of the
support services.

Domestic violence and child protection
Directions for good practice
Edit by Cathy Humphreys & Nicky Stanley
Pub. Jessica Kingsley, London, 2006
Leading international practitioners and researchers outline the essential safety
considerations for children, adult victims and child protection workers, and offer
examples of good practice in prevention, intervention
and recovery.

Making an impact
Children and domestic violence
A Reader
By Marianne Hester, Chris Pearson & Nicola Harwin
ub. Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2000
Focuses on the children who experience domestic abuse and lays guidelines for
how best to support and protect them. Divided into three parts: Part 1 Children
and domestic violence, Part 2 The legal context and Part 3 Practice
interventions, social work, and child protection

Challenging practice
By Catherine Humphreys
Pub. The Policy Press, Bristol, 2000
This report is important reading for practitioners, policy makers and managers
in social services, and their equivalents in a range of other agencies involved in
child protection. It is also valuable reading for social work academics and
students interested in the area of domestic violence.

The batterer as parent
Addressing the impact of domestic violence on family dynamics
By Lundy Bancroft and Jay G. Silverman
Pub. Sage Publications, USA, 2002
Shows how partner abuse affects each relationship in a family, and explains how
children’s emotional recovery is inextricably linked to the healing and
empowerment of their mothers. The authors cover the important but often
overlooked area of the post-separation parenting behaviours of men who batter,
including their use of custody litigation as a tool of abuse. Readers also are guided
in evaluating change in the parenting of men who batter, assessing risk to
children from unsupervised contact, and supporting the emotional recovery of
children. Although the book is written primarily for professionals, its accessible
style makes it engaging and useful for abused mothers and anyone else wishing to
assist children exposed to battering and where there are contact issues.

Unreasonable fears?
Child contact in the context of domestic violence
By Lorraine Radford & Sarah Sayer
Pub. WAFE, Bristol, 1999
This is the report of a survey on child contact and domestic violence, major
questions raised by this survey include: how far the family courts consider the
needs, wishes and safety of children when deciding to grant contact or residence
to a violent parent.

Materials For Working With Children

All children should be safe.
By Women’s Aid Federation England
Pub. Women’s Aid Federation England, 1994, Bristol
This workbook was developed to help children who live in refuges to understand
the violence that occurred at home. It helps children to talk about and explore
their feelings, such as anger, fear, guilt, hurt, confusion.

Healthy relationships: a curriculum pack for 7-11 year olds and teacher’s
workbook
Compiled by Avril McPherson
Pub North Ayrshire Women’s Aid, 2001
A pack for teachers, which includes a teacher’s workbook. Contents include
children’s experiences of domestic abuse. Includes learning materials, teaching
strategies, information on disclosure and support mechanisms for teachers.

Healthy relationships for teens
An activity pack for young people
Compiled by Avril McPherson
Pub. North Ayrshire Women’s Aid, 2002
This pack is aimed at teenagers and includes materials on self esteem,
relationships, gender issues and domestic abuse.

Hitting and hurting, living in a violent family
By Fran Pickering
Pub. The Children’s Society, London, 2000.
A book for primary school children to help children explore their feelings. Also
includes guidance notes for adults.

I wish the hitting would stop.
Pub. Red Flag Green Flag Resources, USA, 1987
Example of a ‘workbook’, which can be used with young children living in violent
homes. Includes questions for the child to answer.

My colouring book of the refuge
Pub. WAFE, Bristol
Example of children’s book exploring life in the refuge.

Something is wrong at my house
A book about parents fighting.
By Diane Davis
Pub. Parenting Press Inc., USA, 1984
This book is for children to read or hear and is based on a true story of a boy who
sees his parents fighting.

Working with children in Scottish Women’s Aid
Pub. Scottish Women’s Aid
This pack is intended for children’s workers in Women’s Aid but would be
useful for anyone working directly with children affected by domestic abuse.

Talking about domestic abuse
A photo activity workbook to develop communication between mothers and
young people
By Cathy Humphreys, Ravi K. Thiara, Agnes Skamballis and Audrey Mullendar
Pub Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2006
A photocopiable activity workbook for use with children from 9 years to
adolescence whose families have experienced domestic abuse, to help and
support them in recovery and moving on.

Talking to my mum
A picture workbook for workers,mothers and children affected by domestic
abuse
By Cathy Humphreys, Ravi K. Thiara, Agnes Skamballis and Audrey Mullendar
Pub Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2006
An activity workbook for use with children from 9 years to adolescence whose
families have experienced domestic abuse, to help and support them in recovery
and moving on.

Self Help And Support

Breaking through
Women surviving male violence.
Pub. Women’s Aid Federation Ltd, England, 1989
An excellent book by a group who have experienced male violence themselves,
either as children or as adult women. Looks at the effects of violence, what causes
violence, going for help, new relationships with men, what we can do for
ourselves.

Dragon Slippers
This is what an abusive relationship looks like
By Rosalind Penfold
Pub. Grove Press, Black Cat, UK, 2006
A very good book in comic strip style that will help the reader to understand the
complexities of domestic violence, based on one woman’s experience.

Getting free
You can end abuse and take back your life
By Ginny Nicarthy
Pub. The Seal Press, USA, 1997
This is a handbook for women still in, or attempting to recover from an abusive
relationship. Provides a step-by-step guide to regaining self-esteem and
confidence in coping alone. It is very well written and easy to understand and is
highly recommended for women trying to get free and for those wishing to help
them.

In love & in danger, a teen’s guide to breaking free of abusive relationships
By Barrie Levy
Pub. Seal Press, USA, 1993
A useful informative book for young people which contains information on what
is domestic violence, what you can do if you are being abused, what you can do if
a friend is being abused and healing from abuse.

Supporting women after domestic violence
Loss, trauma and recovery
By Hilary Abrahams
Pub. Jessica Kingsley, London, 2007
Offers accessible advice on how to enable women who have experienced
domestic violence to embark on a journey of recovery. Drawn from theory,
original research and the personal experiences of women who have been abused
helping them to explore the practical and emotional support they need when
engaging in the process of recovery.

You can be free, an easy to read handbook for abused women.
By Ginny Nicarthy and Sue Davidson
Pub. The Seal Press, USA, 1989
An excellent handbook, based on the book “Getting Free”. Looks at ways of
overcoming the effects of physical sexual and emotional abuse. Suggestions for
getting help and self-help.

Overcoming the effects of violence and abuse

Overcoming anxiety
A self help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques
By Helen Kennerly
Pub. Robinson, London, 1997
A self-help book that includes an introduction to the nature of anxiety and
stress. Contains a complete self-help programme. Can be used by those affected,
family and friends and health professionals.

Overcoming low self-esteem
A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques
By Melanie Fennell
Pub. Robinson, London, 1999
Intended for people who suffer from low self-esteem and for those who help
them: their friends, families, psychologists, counsellors and doctors. It aims to
help the reader understand how they came to think badly of themselves and
change their negative view for one that is more positive and self-accepting.

Overcoming traumatic stress
A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques
By Claudia Herbert and Ann Whetmore
Pub. Robinson, London, 1999
Provides practical advice to help overcome the effects of traumatic stress.

Overcoming panic
A self-help guide using cognitive behavioural techniques
By Derrick Silove and Vijaya Manicavasagar
Pub. Robinson, London, 1997
A self-help manual with a step-by-step management programme for overcoming
and preventing panic attacks and associated agoraphobia.

Managing anger
Positive strategies for dealing with difficult emotions
By Gael Lindenfield
Pub. Thorsons, London, 1993
Explains the effects of anger on bodies and minds and suggests strategies for
preventing the build-up of frustration, and how to keep calm when faced with
violent outbursts.

The PTSD Workbook
By Mary-Beth Williams and Solili Poijula
Pub. New Harbinger, USA, 2002
Two psychologists gather together techniques and interventions used by PTSD
experts from around the world to offer trauma survivors the most effective tools
available to conquer their most distressing trauma-related symptoms. Readers
determine the type of trauma they experienced, identify their symptoms, and
learn the most effective techniques and interventions they can use to overcome
them

DVDs/Videos

Behind closed doors
Produced by National Children’s Homes, 1997
Running time 15 minutes
Designed to raise awareness of domestic abuse and the impact this can have on
women and their children, to encourage young people to think about both the
effects domestic abuse can have on women and children and about the issues that
underlie domestic abuse.

Home truths: young people’s experience of domestic violence
Produced by Leeds Animation Workshop, 1999
Running time 12 minutes
A short animated film. Five young people tell of their experiences of domestic
violence. They explain how living with violence affects them.

Let Me Tell You
Produced by Scottish Women’s Aid, 2006
Running Time 17 minutes
Raises awareness of the issues that women and children experiencing domestic
abuse face when trying to access support from agencies.

Listen louder
Young people against domestic abuse supporting each other
Produced by Scottish Women’s Aid
Running Time 5 minutes
A short film of young people expressing their feelings through writing and
images

Love,Honour and Disobey
Produced by Faction Films, 2005
Running Time 61 mins
Tells the story of domestic violence in Britain’s black and minority communities.

DVD pack of Stimulus Scenes for use in domestic abuse training
Produced by DVPP, SACRO and CHANGE, 2005
Produced to support skilled trainers in introducing various aspects of domestic
abuse to their trainees. The scenarios depicted show the diverse and wideranging
nature of domestic abuse and highlight the potential impact upon
survivors and their families.