Too Close to Home; Domestic Violence in Latin America (Inter-American Development Bank)

One of the world's most violent regions, at home and on the streets, is Latin America. The homicide rate--almost 30 murders per 100,000 people -- is six times greater than the world average. Domestic violence is also widespread, and closely linked to societal violence: children who experience or witness chronic abuse are more likely to behave violently as adults.

Too Close to Home is a collection of essays by international authorities ranging from psychologists and doctors to economists and communication experts. Several authors analyze the economic and health costs imposed by domestic violence, documenting that domestic violence is both a serious public health issue and a severe impediment to economic development. Others examine promising approaches that have been used to combat domestic violence, including community treatment and prevention networks, telephone hotlines, judicial and police reform, anti-violence curricula in primary and secondary schools, street theater, and creative use of the mass media. The book is based on the 1997 IDB conference, "Domestic Violence in Latin America and the Caribbean: Costs, Programs and Policies."