Challenging Silence (PDF)

An up-to-date overview of the sexual and domestic violence situation in Australia with innovative approaches from service providers.'At last, a collection which does justice to the depth, breadth and insight of Australian thinking and practice on women and child abuse-a must for anyone who wants to make a difference.'Liz Kelly, Director, Child and Woman Abuse Studies Unit, University of North LondonIn the 1970s, the silence surrounding sexual and domestic violence was broken and feminists demanded services to address the problem. In the 1980s, governments funded community programs to provide services for victims. The 1990s saw a backlash against the victims of sexual violence and services provided for their support.Challenging Silence assesses the state of play with sexual and domestic violence. It examines the effectiveness of current services in the context of both Australian and international law and policy. It looks at innovative developments in practice and research, and outlines strategies which are proving successful in supporting victims and addressing offenders' accountability and responsibility.With contributions from respected practitioners and researchers, Challenging Silence is essential reading for professionals involved in support services and policy-making, as well as a valuable reference for students.