Section 1: Basic Understandings

This section reviews literature, mainly from a Western perspective, that provides a basic understanding of theory and data related to family violence. It ends with an application to Peace Bridges' programming and a bibliography.


*Click on a heading to go to that section.*

1.1 Defining Violence in the Home 

Typologies of Batterers 

1.2 The Cycle of Violence 

Aggravating Factors 

Relational Patterns  

The Systemic View of Violence 

1.3 How Violence in the Home Affects Women 

Health Risks for Battered Women 

Psychological responses 

Battered Women as Mothers 

1.4 How Violence in the Home Affects Men 

The 'Abusive Personality' 

Violent Men as Fathers 

1.5 How Violence in the Home Affects Children 

Factors in Assessing Impact on Children 

Violence, Brain Development & Adult Perpetration 

Factors in Children’s Emotional Recovery from Violence 

1.6 Special Considerations for Peace Bridges 


Bibliography