Introduction

Abstract

Domestic violence and abuse is a significant global concern, with mounting evidence showing that such violence has serious consequences for victims’ and victims’ children’s health and social well-being, as well as tremendous economic costs for individuals, families, communities, and countries. Because domestic violence and abuse continues to be a pressing and important challenge to global nations, this Handbook aims to foster an exchange of the latest knowledge with a total of 50 chapters and 101 contributing authors. In this introduction, we – the editors – offer a guide to help readers understand the Handbook’s goals, frameworks, organisation, and structure. Given the complex, dynamic, and widespread nature of domestic violence and abuse, we chose four key guiding perspectives for the Handbook, including (1) the social ecological framework, (2) intersectionality, (3) interdisciplinarity, and (4) a global point of view. In addition to these frameworks, we organised the Handbook into five major sections, including: (1) theoretical perspectives on domestic violence and abuse, (2) domestic violence and abuse across the life-course, 3) manifestations of domestic violence and abuse, (4) responding to domestic violence and abuse, and (5) researching domestic violence and abuse. Although domestic violence and abuse has proven to be pervasive, pernicious, and universal, the writings in this Handbook also show that domestic violence and abuse can be prevented, ended, and ameliorated. We hope that the contributions herein will advance, develop, further, and inspire global efforts to end domestic violence and abuse once and for all.