Assaults: Interventions, Preventive Strategies and Societal Implications

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When we speak of “assault” we move our discussion from that of violence in its varied injurious forms toward the needs of the victim, prevention of future acts of harm, societal education and policy development, and mobilization of community resources, which should include the support of both nation-states and responsible institutions. Violence as a manifestation of human aggression has long been with our species. Defining that aggression in its manifest forms as “assault” provides a foundation for intervention with both the perpetrator (offender in legal terms) and survivor victim (person attacked in legal terms).

Contributors to this volume on assault have varied professional responsibilities. Some hold faculty positions with colleges or universities, others are affiliated with university institutes and/or medical hospitals. A few are students in the final steps of completing graduate training. All of them in some way are at the forefront of making direct contributions to prevention and intervention, if they themselves are not the practitioner or clinician who in some way provides direct services to individuals harmed by violence.

Most chapters are based on professional experience at the front lines of delivery, where real people come or, owing to severe instances of violence, are brought for services. Each contributor has repeatedly seen evidence for and/or heard about the outcomes of harmful acts of violence, perpetuated on those most vulnerable in society, owing to sex, age, socio-economic status, professional standing, and/or the momentary inability to take personal action that could prevent or protect one against perpetration of an act of violence.

As you read these chapters, consider the role of the researcher and practitioner in their chosen profession to make a contribution. View the language with a critical eye. You will find carefully reasoned proposals for change, calls for social justice, explanations of models for prevention strategies and development of public policy, and articulated reasons why violence falls short of the human right for societal protections that each member of our species deserves. What may be a potential solution or, conversely, negative consequence, what might be a dilemma or beneficial outcome, and what can happen when people work collaboratively: These chapters portray the nuanced reasoning that permits the professional to work toward development and confirmation of more effective models of prevention and intervention, which can reduce the need for prolonged care and services.

It should come as no surprise that violence takes place in many forms across a range of various communities and countries. It can affect anyone, although some individuals face greater susceptibilities, owing to their structural vulnerability. This volume, sad to say, however extensive and nuanced its offerings, covers but a few forms of human assault. The coverage nonetheless is focused and well-attuned to social-psychological-physical-economic realities of harmful impact and the short-term and long-term post-incident consequences of assault on another human being. (Imprint: Nova)