Violence in our society is documented statistically in the FBI Crime Reports and National Crime Surveys and clinically in the number of victims admitted to emergency departments of trauma centers and hospitals. The possibility that people might be injured or have their home invaded by a stranger is a frightening thought. But hundreds of Americans face an even more devastating reality when they are harmed, not by a stranger, but by someone they trusted: a member of their own family.

The material in this module is derived from previously published classic articles on the subject. For more information, consult a copy of Ann Burgess's Violence Through a Forensic Lens, 2nd edition, which may be purchased by calling (800) 866-0919.

The goal of this program is to provide nurses with an understanding of family violence and its impact on family members and the family social structure. After you study the information presented in this learning module, you will be able to -

• Define the scope and trends in family violence
• Identify biopsychosocial characteristics of family violence
• Describe the perspectives of family violence
• Indicate appropriate interventions for assisting victims of family violence