This book presents a variety of socio-legal perspectives on issues of domestic violence and abuse. Focussing on contemporary research and practice developments in policing, law, statutory and voluntary sectors, the contributors to this volume cover a vast spectrum of initiatives and professional expertise concerned variably with protection, prevention and intervention priorities.

The challenges of "joined up" thinking across these perspectives are apparent as the varied definitions, underpinning ideologies, terminologies, the profile of the victim/survivor's voice and identified gaps in service provision appearing in this book illustrate. As a reflection on the current economic climate, some of the perspectives presented necessarily compete rather than complement each other, an issue the volume highlights and addresses. Achieving a broader understanding of these issues and insights into a range of activity in this context is vital for both the practitioner and academic alike, whatever their perspective.