It is not only rape trials which receive critical evaluation in this book butalso homicide (gynocide?) trials. ‘The defence of provocation should be abol-ished because it is used to condone men for murdering wives who are oftenseeking a divorce in response to years of violence’. Finally ‘medicine and psy-chiatry are power knowledges and are therefore called on to contribute to dis-crediting the complainant [in rape trials]’. ‘Medical and psychiatric knowledgeand practice are part of the means by which gender divisions in society aremaintained’.

In the face of the certainties and enthusiasms contained in this bookdoubtless this less than generous review will be exposed as a transparentexample of an attempt at maintaining just such gender divisions as well asexemplifying an objectivity which is merely male subjectivity.

Paul MullenRosanna Forensic Health Service, Rosanna 3084, AustraliaMacleod 3085, Rosanna 3084 Australia

Alternatives to Violence: Empowering Youth to Develop HealthyRelationships

By David A. Wolfe, Christine Wekerle and Katreena Scott. Sage Publications,London EC2A 4PU, February 1997, 196 pp. Hardback £36.00, ISBN 0-8039-7030-7. Paperback £16.50, ISBN 0-8039-7031-5.

This book has been published with the intention of being used together withthe treatment manual, The Youth Relationships Manual. The basic premise ofthe book is the fundamental belief that current policies and strategies foraddressing personal violence are outmoded, ineffectual and ill conceived. Theauthors move away from looking for ways to control violence to develop prac-tical ways to promote healthy non-violent relationships.

Five key themes are followed through the text: (1) the expression of vio-lence is most commonly seen in the context of relationships; (2) current poli-cies are outdated and superficial, drawing on the analysis of AIDS related dis-orders – prevent the disease before it happens; (3) violence does not affecteveryone equally – it is ingrained in cultural expressions of power and in qual-ity, affecting women, children and minorities most significantly. Whilst notdisagreeing with this premise, much of the early part of the book is overloadedby a reiteration of these issues which might deter some readers from movingon to the chapters that offer innovative practical which are approached insmall achievable steps; (4) prevention of violence entails building on the posi-tive, not concentration on individual weakness or deviancy; (5) young peopleare important resources and therefore an important part of the solution.

For those who read the last page of a thriller first there is a temptation toturn to the final chapters that apply the principles of a developmental model

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of relationships, violence and abuse, to core ingredients of successful pro-grammes and in the final chapter an example of good practice, the YouthRelationships Project. Particularly useful is Chapter 4, which succinctly out-lines adolescent development and moves on to a paradigm for youth empow-erment.

Clearly this book will be of particular use to those working with both ado-lescent offenders and those with psychological difficulties, but it will also havevalue for anyone working within the field of youth and youth policy. Many ofthe points raised also have relevance to those adults with whom we workwhose early lives have been so blighted that they have not moved safelythrough their own adolescence and inflict their pain onto others through acycle of abuse and blame.

Susan BaileyMental Health Services of SalfordBury New Road, Prestwich, Manchester M25 3BL

Working with Child Abuse and Neglect: A Primer

By Vernon R. Wiehe. Interpersonal Violence: The Practice Series. SagePublications, London EC2A 4PU, 1996, 264 pp. Hardback £38.00, ISBN 0-7619-0348-8. Paperback £16.50,. ISBN 0-7619-0349-6.

This is an introductory book which outlines the basic issues related to childabuse and neglect. Definitions of the various forms of abuse and neglect aregiven, but I doubt the value of some behavioural definitions which appear tohave little theoretical basis. Difficulties in determining the epidemiology arewell discussed. The history of child abuse is discussed from an American view-point. Factors associated with child abuse and neglect are presented conciselywhilst incorporating a systemic and ecological perspective. Issues in the man-agement of child abuse and neglect are discussed briefly. The management iscovered in rather inadequate depth to be of value to those directly involved inclinical work.

The possibilities offered by prevention programmes are again presentedwith the emphasis on the North American situation.

The book is clearly written in a highly readable style, but is at times per-haps a little simplistic. There is suggested further reading provided at the endof each chapter; this is a good but limited choice of the acknowledged classicreferences and books. Again the references have an American bias and ignoremuch valuable work from Britain.

I would certainly advise North American social work and allied child andadolescent mental health students to buy this book. It may also be of somevalue to British practitioners who wish to find out more about American prac-tice and developments. In many respects the USA appears to have a more

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