Psychological Perspectives on Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Children : Towards Building Cultures of Peace

Violence against children is one of the most significant, widespread, and preventable threats to human development in our world today. Children are the future of our society and understanding and addressing violence against children is critical to building cultures and systems that promote a just and sustainable peace. This edited volume aims to provide an integrative review of psychological research on violence against children from a global perspective. Drawing from frameworks in both psychology and peace studies, contributors focus on the psychological research across global settings to illustrate the nature and effects of violence against children in various settings and examine recommendations for prevention, practice, and policy.

Psychological Perspectives on Understanding and Addressing Violence Against Children argues that in order to achieve comprehensive responses to violence against children (VAC), scholars and practitioners must develop a robust understanding of how direct, structural, and cultural forms of violence interact across social systems. This understanding of VAC motivates a multi-sectoral response that seeks to promote intergenerational health and well-being through addressing violence in all its forms.This volume is organized into three interconnected sections that explore violence across socioecological domains: violence against children in social macrosystems, violence against children in social microsystems, and ways to address VAC in practice and policy. With chapters highlighting diverse methodological approaches, context-specific case studies, and approaches to redress violence through practice and policy, this volume is designed to be a resource for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working to prevent VAC.