This third edition includes a substantial expansion of material on hidden victims of familial violence - siblings, parents, and the elderly - as well as an examination of violence within gay and lesbian couples. While the first two editions of Intimate Violence in Families focused on physical abuse, here Gelles also explores emotional and psychological abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect, offering a much broader look at the full spectrum of familial abuse.

Breaking important new ground, Gelles carefully examines what we know about intervention and treatment program effectiveness, with special attention to intensive family preservation programs and men's treatment programs.