cycle of violence, cycle of abuse

["Joseph A. Vorrasi" <jav9@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Stephanie: Critics of the cycle of violence hypothesis are quick to point out that not all abused children grow up to become perpetrators, and not all perpetrators were once abused as children. Cathy Spatz-Widom has published extensive research in this area and has several literature reviews that will be useful to your efforts.

At 01:40 PM 10/10/00 -0700, Stephanie Brown wrote:
>I am hoping members of the list can point me towards literature that
>discusses the theory that children who are abused become violent offenders,
>abusers, or have involvement with the criminal justice system as adults. I
>have heard this referred to as "cycle of violence" or "cycle of abuse" or
>"abuse-reactive." I know that there is a great deal of research on the
>consequences of abuse, but my understanding is that the "cycle of abuse"
>theory is disputed.
>If folks can provide references regarding this debate (and opinions), I
>would appreciate it.
>
>Thanks in advance.
>Stephanie Brown
>Research Associate
>Institute for the Study of Community Based Services
>Edgewood Center for Children and Families
>1 Rhode Island
>San Francisco, CA 94103
>stephanieb@edgewoodcenter.org

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Joseph A. Vorrasi
Family Life Development Center
Department of Human Development
Cornell University
N-218 MVR Hall
Ithaca, NY 14853
phone: (607) 254-1374
fax: (607) 255-8562
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