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Understanding Child Abuse and Violence Against Women

A Life Course Perspective

Wellesley Centers for Women

Although the past 20 years have seen many advances in understanding the etiology and the consequences of child abuse and violence against women, most research has taken a fairly narrow focus. Different types of abuse have been studied, often in isolation. This article asserts that a life course perspective on family violence is needed and that such an approach bolsters arguments for methods and practice that pay attention to the overlap of multiple types of violence. To develop appropriate prevention programs and interventions for women, children, and families, we must draw out the connections between types of violence (physical, sexual, child, partner), between violence at different stages of the life course, and between different patterns of abuse (sporadic, cyclical). This article discusses these ideas and makes recommendations for research and practice.

Key Words: women • abuse • violence • life course • child

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