Synopsis

The Batterer as Parent takes the reader inside of homes affected by domestic violence, imparting an understanding of the atmosphere that battering men create for the children who live with them. Bancroft and Silverman show 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 behaviors 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 visitation, 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.

Booknews

Written by two clinicians specializing in domestic violence, this text describes the home atmosphere that men who batter their partners create for the children who live with them. Particular attention is paid to the use of post-separation custody litigation as a tool of further abuse. Topics include, for example, the batterer as role model, shared tactics of batterers and incest perpetrators, and structuring custody and visitation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)