What is often labeled domestic violence is, in this book, referred to as family violence, because the emotional terrorism that infuses violence between adults affects not only the adult victims but also the children who witness the abuse. Dalpiaz shows how a caring and thoughtful parent can recognize the trauma family violence inflicts upon children, and how to help them recover and go on to live happy, violence-free childhoods.
Safeguarding children, building trust and breaking the cycle of violence is the goal. Once the victim of family violence, Dalpiaz later earned degrees in psychology and early childhood education, eventually launching a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping children. Her book will interest not only parents who are victims of family violence, but also foster parents dealing with the aftermath of family violence, counselors, teachers, social workers, clergy, and students of the behavioral sciences.
CHRISTINA M. DALPIAZ is a certified Victims' Advocate and Founder as well as Executive Director of CHANCE (Changing How Adults Nurture Children's Egos), a nonprofit agency based in Denver, Colorado. An international speaker, she was voted Child Advocate of the Year in 1998 by the Aurora Family Violence Response Team. Her dedication to helping families is actually a second career. Dalpiaz previously served in the U.S. Naval Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Commander.