Violence against Women: Current Theory and Practice in Domestic Abuse, Sexual Violence and Exploitation

This book on gender-based domestic violence provides an overview of many contemporary issues pertinent to society. The overall theme of the book is of violence against women so it is interesting to see two chapters from the perspective of men: from the perspective of men experiencing domestic abuse and from the perspective of male perpetrators within the UK. The thirteen chapters within this book each present a different subject area, thus overall providing a comprehensive account of violence against women. The chapters are logically constructed for the most part. However, Chapters 3 and 6 might be better being placed together. The formal style of writing with the effective use of headings throughout the chapters provides a clear structure and content to the reader. The book is easy to read, with relevant contemporary information. The author index and subject index are clear. There is a somewhat interchangeable terminology used within the book. Chapter 3 uses the term ‘domestic violence’, whilst Chapters 7, 9 and 10 use ‘domestic abuse’. Chapters 5, 12 and 13 use the term ‘violence against women’. This use of terminology is explored in the book and the rationale for the difference in terms is identified on pages 10 and 11.