Breaking the Cycle of Domestic Violence

Intended as a resource for health care professionals, this wonderful production's goal is to help physicians, especially, learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of domestic violence in their patients. Experts and several formerly-abused women tell viewers about the phases of the violence cycle, who particularly is at risk, what forms abuse takes, what effect it has on children, and why women stay. The program then offers concrete reasons to intervene (including a list of specific, nonjudgmental questions to ask), recommended actions to take (including tracking and documenting injuries and conversations), and suggestions for educating and referring patients. Since the scenario of "women abusing men" is mentioned only twice, the focus here is definitely on women victims (but with 2-4 million women abused per year, I'd say that's a fairly reasonable focal point). While the well-done resource manual is intended for physicians in the state of Kansas, and the tape has a bit of that slant too, overall this is highly recommended for both medical libraries and schools of medicine. Aud: C. (K. Glaser)