I found the book extremely interesting and informative. I was particularly impressed with the practical advice given in the text, advice that is not often found in the legal literature. . . . The writing is clear and compelling, and Paul Stern′s style is perfect: he entertains as he educates. --Thomas D. Lyon, The Law School, University of Southern California, Los Angeles Called upon to educate courtroom decision makers, the expert witness provides testimony that is critical to achieving intelligent and just verdicts. Few judges and jury members possess the knowledge base needed to adequately understand complexities of human behavior as they relate to acts of interpersonal violence. While the lay witness can testify to actual incidents or observations, it is the "expert witness" who can provide forensic significance to such evidence. With this vital insight, courts can more accurately assess and weigh evidence, leading to more informed and appropriate decisions. Timely and accessible, The Preparation and Presentation of Expert Testimony clearly defines the need for and role of expert witnesses in litigation. Author Paul Stern demystifies the process while providing practical, stepwise guidance for those who want to prepare and present expert testimony with confidence and clarity. Beginning with discussions of the who, what, and why of expert testimony, the book also defines the role of the expert, including ethical and professional issues that may arise. Filled with tips, techniques, and case examples, chapters also show expert witnesses and attorneys how to prepare for court, how to present testimony in the most convincing and credible manner possible, how to deal with cross-examination, and how to cross-examine irresponsible expert witnesses. Anyone who may be called upon to testify--or participate in court in any way--in cases of interpersonal violence will find this book an invaluable resource. In particular, mental health professionals, medical personnel, scientists, investigators, attorneys, and judges will want to use the book to prepare themselves for the rigors involved in every aspect of expert testimony.

The testimony of expert witnesses to inform courtroom decisions is critical if intelligent and just verdicts are to be reached. Few judges, jurors or lay witnesses possess the necessary knowledge to adequately understand the complexities of human behaviour as they relate to acts of interpersonal violence. While lay witnesses can testify to actual incidents or observations, it is the expert witness who can provide forensic significance to such evidence. This volume clearly defines the need for and role of expert witnesses in litigation. The author demystifies the process, and provides practical guidance on preparing and presenting expert testimony. In so doing, he will assist courts to more accurately assess and weigh eviden

This expanded and updated Second Edition of Legal Issues in Child Abuse and Neglect Practice offers a state-of-the-art exploration of what role the law can play in bettering the lives of victimized children. While all who work with abused children share the same goals, there often exists a gap in communication between legal and helping professionals that reduces efficacy of cooperative efforts. This new edition continues to provide vital information to non-lawyers on how the legal system in the United States works in child abuse cases.

How do you intervene in abusive and neglectful families or prevent maltreatment in families at risk? How can you find the answers you need in the overwhelming array of information now available on the subject? In Working with Child Abuse and Neglect, author Vernon R. Wiehe helps you focus by evaluating a wealth of references to current published literature and pinpointing the practical applications that put these findings into action. Condensing the explosion of knowledge about child maltreatment into one provoking yet accessible primer, Wiehe first offers a historical perspective on child maltreatment and an assessment of the scope of the problem. He also discusses theoretical perspectives for understanding the problem and specific treatment and prevention techniques. Information on state and national organizations working in the field illustrates not only the size of the problem but also the mobilized efforts to stem child abuse and neglect. As well as a balanced introduction, Working with Child Abuse and Neglect serves as a springboard to important sources of additional knowledge. Ideal for upper-division undergraduates as well as graduate students, and anyone in the helping professions who is beginning to work with victimized children, Working with Child Abuse and Neglect provides a sound assessment of the state of the literature and application in this expanding area of study and practice. In addition, the handy reference value of this volume will appeal in particular to social workers, counseling and clinical psychologists, and nurses.

A riveting exposé of child abuse in America and how the newest breed of pediatricians determines what happened, why, and at whose hands. Although more than one million children are abused each year in the United States, child abuse often remains a secret to family members, professionals, and politicians who neither see nor understand it. Child abuse pediatricians are the newest breed of pediatricians, specialized in exposing abuse. With detective-like acumen, child abuse pediatricians deduce through careful medical analysis who has abused and who has been abused. Describing the most compelling cases among the thousands that they have evaluated, author Lawrence Ricci reveals the trauma, pain, disability, and sometimes death that abused children experience at the hands of trusted adults. This gripping look at the dark side of American families is about good parents and poor ones, perpetrators and victims, and collateral victims such as innocent family members. It is also about the professionals who have made it their career to expose child abuse and to treat children who have suffered from it. The conclusion calls for systematic changes that could help to stem the tide of child abuse.

The third edition of this best-selling handbook covers all aspects of child maltreatment, including physical abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. The third edition will undergo a major overhaul by reorganizing the content categories according to each form of abuse. The previous two editions divided up the content by psychological, pychosocial, medical and legal aspects of abuse. Through the review process we learned that many reviews would prefer the organization to be grouped by each form of neglect (physical, sexual, emotional) rather than by the corresponding aspects. In addition, the third edition will have new and updated chapters, including the history of child protection, prevention, reporting, foster care and adoption, the criminal justice system, cultural competence and interviewing. The entire book will have a focus on evidence based practices which will be discussed in all parts. In addition, each part will contain a similar structure covering definitions, legal aspects, interventions and treatment. This edition is poised to be the most successful edition yet and will include contributions for THE leading experts in each corresponding area. Features and benefits include: The most comprehensive resource for individuals working within the child welfare system and for students preparing to work in child welfare and child protective services. A compilation by the leading experts in each area. An easy-to-read and comprehend format which allows for easy comparison across maltreatment areas. Experienced editor who is very thorough, efficient, and detail oriented.

Conduct targeted and focused evaluations of child abuse and neglect! Child Maltreatment Risk Assessments: An Evaluation Guide is a professional practice manual designed to assist clinicians in conducting forensic risk assessment in child maltreatment cases. The authors—each with an extensive background in forensic child abuse evaluation—present up-to-date research findings and provide practical, fact-based information on key issues. The book is an essential reference source on procedural issues, treatment options, and risk management strategies necessary to make high-quality, ethical evaluations. Child maltreatment risk assessments are complex, specialized evaluations with the potential for permanent legal termination of all parent-child contact on one hand, and the possibility of injury and even death on the other. Because of the weighty nature of these issues, the legal standards imposed on individual states to justify intervention is great, and evaluators must be well versed in the most current material available. Child Maltreatment Risk Assessments provides up-to-date information on the effects of maltreatment, empirically based risk factors for child abuse and neglect, specialized assessment techniques and interventions,and professional practice issues. The book emphasizes the importance of individual and cultural differences. Child Maltreatment Risk Assessments also includes a step-by-step guide to conducting and writing quality evaluations, including: components of an evaluation report forensic versus clinical evaluations methods of assessment assessment domains and much more! Child Maltreatment Risk Assessments: An Evaluation Guide is an invaluable tool for clinicians, lawyers and judges, human service agency personnel, and others involved in child maltreatment cases as well as students who represent the next generation of clinicians working in child abuse prevention and treatment.

A professional book aimed at practitioners and practitioners in training, this volume is the first attempt to provide a comprehensive, practical approach to the assessment and treatment of physically abused children. While there are other books that cover certain aspects of assessment and treatment, this book is comprehensive in that it covers child-specific, parent-specific, and family-specific interventions. The volume will present an overview of child physical abuse (including statistics and consequences), it will discuss outcome studies and treatment implications, and it will thoroughly discuss assessment and treatment. It will help practitioners: Understand children's abuse experiences, views, exposures to violence, and it will help expose thinking errors or negative attributions. It will also help the practitioner help the children with anxiety management, anger management, social skills, and safety plans. Help parents with child management and development, expectations and cognitive distortions, behavior management, and discipline. Facilitate family communication and problem solving.

Designed for professionals in the field of child maltreatment, this authoritative book presents a compelling theoretical framework that guide's assessment of children and adolescents who have been sexually abused and their parents. The book is designed to make it easier for clinicians to select a number of measures or procedures across three dimensions that have considerable clinical relevance – attachment, dysregulations, and self-perception. Psychological Assessment of Sexually Abused Children and Their Families features in particular the assessment of sexually aggressive children and an extensive set of interview formats, checklists, and other forms that clinicians will find especially useful in evaluating children and their families. The book is also richly illustrated with case studies.