The very concept is at best difficult for most believers to wrap their minds around. The family designed by God, is to be a place of safety and love... not hurt and shame. Yet we are painfully aware that spousal abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect does happen in Christian homes. We, the church, need to know how to respond in care, compassion, and justice.In this small but packed book, Dr. Stan DeKoven, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and International educator presents the key principles and concerns to be addressed by professional and lay leader alike, based upon his textbook, "Family Violence: Patterns of Destruction." This book will help victims, when the paraprofessional and clergy minister with grace when violence occurs in the family. Dr. Stan DeKoven is the Founder and President of Vision International University. After many years as a successful Christian family counselor, he expanded the work of Dr. Ken Chant into a dynamic university program with colleges in over 80 nations around the world. Dr. DeKoven is the author of more than 35 books and numerous study guides in counseling, leadership and practical theology.