Sexualized violence against women and children: A psychology and law perspective

Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, Oct 2005 by Lyness, Anne M Prouty

Cling, B. J. (Ed.). (2004). Sexualized violence against women and children: A psychology and law perspective. New York: Guilford Press, 305 pp., $38.00.

Cling, with the contributions often of her colleagues, has constructed a thoughtful and comprehensive examination of sexualized violence against women and children. What makes this book a unique contribution to the literature is also what makes it an important resource to clinicians: Each chapter reviews both historical and current perspectives of the field of psychology and the American legal system-two professions whose language and goals are distinct. The legal aspects are well translated with several brief case examples and references to case law across the United States.

This edited book is well-written and thorough, while maintaining good flow via similar structure throughout the chapters. The authors cover several aspects of sexualized violence. The first section covers rape, battered woman syndrome, women who kill their batterers, stalking, and workplace sexual harassment. The second section covers child sexual abuse and the memory debate. The third section covers offender management, Megan's law, and mothers who kill. The authors treat the topics with the respect of straightforward writing from feminist lenses that provide both social critique and a voice for human vulnerability, while avoiding bitterness.

Cling provides a resource for clinicians at all levels of expertise, and those who wish to be effective expert witnesses. The authors focus on social and historical conceptualizations of sexualized violence, assessment procedures, and the short and long-term effects of violence on the victims. Clinical treatment, however, is not the focus of this volume.

As a bonus, two of the chapters have interesting and helpful appendices. Cling's chapter includes case law histories of the admission of expert witness testimony on rape trauma syndrome allowed and not allowed as evidence of nonconsent. I found this to be helpful in trying to understand societal-level, gendered power dynamics within this country. Kaser-Boyd's chapter on Battered Woman Syndrome contains appendices which include an assessment tool and examples of legal examination questions for both the victim of violence and the expert witness.

Limitations of this book are minimal. The authors do not use a systems perspective and, hence, this book would best be used by a family therapist as an adjunct resource. It would be useful to clinicians, expert witnesses, researchers of interpersonal violence, and for trainers as a supplementary text in a family violence course. It would also be useful in family law courses. Understanding the differing conceptualizations and goals between mental health and the legal professions can enable family therapists to be more effective-no matter what role we play.

Anne M. Prouty Lyness, PhD

Antioch New England Graduate School