Includes bibliographical references (p. 391-487) and index.

Family violence and the life-course perspective -- Research methodology and the study of family violence and the life course -- Explaining family violence -- Violence at the beginning of the life course : child abuse and neglect -- Violence in early adulthood and beyond : violence between intimate partners -- Violence at the end of the life course: elder abuse and neglect -- The police and social service response to family violence -- The courts and family violence: issues and innovations -- Corrections and family violence : treatment and punishment issues -- Family violence over the life course and the collaborative response -- Family violence : a look back, recommendations, and a look to the future.