Breaking Free, Starting Over: Parenting in the Aftermath of Family Violence

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Description

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. 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.

Reviews

"Christina Dalpiaz is uniquely passionate, committed and eloquent in her efforts to make our communities safer for children and more aware of the epidemic of domestic violence. Her voice needs to be listened to and heeded by all who work in the domestic violence and child abuse fields."-Betty J. Wytias, Assistant Attorney General, Domestic Violence Policy Advisor, Colorado Attorney General's Office
"This book is really about your future. It's about being brave and being smart. It's about rebuilding trust. It's about discovering your true self. It's about being your best because your children deserve your best. Asking for help is a sign of strength and perhaps this book is the first step in your journey toward a safe new world."-Joanne R. Blum, Executive Director, Families First, Denver Colorado
"This is a must read for any adult who has been involved in domestic violence, as well as, for any clinician and Victim Advocate. Ms. Dalpiaz has explicitly captured the impact that domestic violence has on children and has given practical guidance to parents as to how to positively change and appropriately respond to their children in a style that empowers victims rather than blame them. I...would highly recommend this book to any parent who has been involved in domestic violence and desires to change. I believe this should be a must book for men who have been abusive and have children."-John Cogley, Director, Colorado Approved Domestic Violence Tx Provider

Author Bio

CHRISTINA M. DALPIAZ is a certified Victims' Advocate and family therapist, as well as Executive Director of CHANCE (Changing How Adults Nurture Children's Egos), a nonprofit agency based in Denver, Colorado aiming to make family violence socially unacceptable for children's sake. An international speaker, Dalpiaz holds degrees in psychology and early childhood education and also holds certification in addiction counseling. She received the Child Advocate of the Year Award in 1998 from the Aurora Family Violence Response Team and has also participated in two documentaries for television on family violence and children, The Truth About Teen Violence and There's No Place Like Home. Dalpiaz previously served as an intelligence officer in the US Navy Reserves and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. She has personally been involved in violence issues because she raised a young relative who had been living in a home with family violence.