This textbook is both timely and significant when considering the continued significant rates of domestic violence both globally and domestically. The social, economic, and psychological costs of domestic violence are staggering. As a victimologist, domestic violence researcher, presenter, and moderator on this violence, as well as a survivor of serious physical, emotional, and financial relationship abuse, Laura Elizabeth combines her academic expertise with her personal experiences to illuminate the intricacies of this type of violence. From basic definitions and types of domestic violence to laws, services, and intervention strategies, this textbook guides students through the reality of domestic violence so they can objectively assess how far we have come and how far we have to go. Combining objective and scholarly research on domestic violence to date, with personal stories of survivors, high-profile cases, and case studies, this textbook will be of interest to a number of disciplines from criminology and criminal justice to sociology and gender studies.
Laura Elizabeth, PhD, most recently served as Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice at Methodist University in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She completed her undergraduate work at Duke University, and her master's and Ph.D. at Virginia Commonwealth University before embarking on her academic career. Her research focus is intimate partner violence, and this is her first textbook on the topic. She invites readers to contact her for further questions and discussion on the issue of IPV.