Katherine van Wormer – författare

Unique in its use of a human rights framework, Social Work and Social Welfare goes beyond U.S. borders to examine U.S. government policies -- including child welfare, social services, health care, and criminal justice -- within a global context. Guided by the belief that forces from the global market and predominant political ideologies affect all social workers in their practice, the book addresses a wide range of relevant topics, including the refugee journey, the impact of new technologies, war trauma, environmental justice, and restorative justice. As a general textbook, the content is organized to follow course outlines for basic, introductory courses which examine social welfare programs, policies, and issues.

Each year, about 33 percent of all women and 3 percent of all men murdered in the United States, are killed by a so-called intimate, a spouse, partner, or lover. Nationwide, murder by an intimate is the number one cause of death for pregnant women. And murder by an intimate is not just an American problem. A European task force recently found domestic violence accounts for 25 percent of all homicides in London, and 35 percent across England and Wales. In this timely book, van Wormer and Roberts describe the problem, and what they have seen and heard on the front lines with both women and men who have escaped domestic violence that was escalating toward deadly levels. The text examines not only the psychology of the batterer but of domestic murder, and domestic murder-suicide. Drawn from the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, the text includes a safety plan for those at risk and a chapter providing narratives of women in prison for killing their abusive husband or partner.Drawing on the experience and insights of these two widely-known social workers, Death by Domestic Violence separates domestic violence myths and facts, explains the traumatic bonding that occurs between batterer and victim, and details how one facet of the solution could be school-based interventions and education. The book culminates with recommendations for further reduction of harm and a safety plan for those at risk.

Van Wormer/Davis' ADDICTION TREATMENT: A STRENGTHS PERSPECTIVE, 5th Edition, covers biological, psychological and social aspects of alcohol and eating disorders, gambling and other addictions. 12-step and harm-reduction approaches are connected to show how clients are guided down paths tailored to their needs. Data from student surveys, including high school and college students, reveals experiences with alcohol, misuse of prescriptions, vaping, marijuana and other drugs. Sections on marketing, fraternities, casinos, legalization of marijuana and the link between sexual abuse, domestic violence and alcohol intoxication allow for dynamic discussions. Whether or not addiction is in your family, you will find the the text relevant to your own life. First-person narratives about addiction and interviews with practitioners will highlight career possibilities that you might not have considered.

Praise for Working with Female Offenders"Encyclopedic in scope and full of very relevant work drawn from the fields of biology, psychology, criminology, and corrections, this book is a must-read for those working with girl and women offenders." —Meda Chesney-Lind, Professor, Women's Studies University of Hawaii at Manoa"In this timely and thoughtful book, van Wormer provides a gender-sensitive lens through which the reader can examine pathways to female criminality, a global perspective on female crime and punishment, and innovative treatment approaches. This book is a must-have for any student or professional who wishes to truly impact and empower the lives of female offenders." —David W. Springer, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, School of Social Work The University of Texas at Austin"This book is timely in light of promising developments that are taking place at every level of the criminal justice system. It is a must-read for policymakers, practitioners, academics, and students in criminal justice, social work, and other related fields." —Barbara E. Bloom, Professor, Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies Sonoma State University, CaliforniaThe first book to combine elements from the social work, counseling, and crimi- nology fields to create a framework tailored to working with female offendersTaking into account the special needs of girls and women within a system designed by men for male offenders, Working with Female Offenders offers counselors, correctional officers, lawyers, probation officers—in short, anyone who works in some capacity with female offenders–an evidence-based, gentler approach for working effectively and successfully with girls and women in trouble with the law.Working with Female Offenders provides coverage devoted to the nature of female crime and to the institutional settings in which much of the female-specific programming is designed to take place. This timely volume equips professionals with proven counseling strategies tailored to fit this population.Practical guidelines are included for case management interventions, teaching skills of communication and assertiveness, and anger and stress management for female offender populations, as well as: A strengths/empowerment/restorative framework for counseling women in crisisNarratives from personal interviews with female offenders and correctional counselorsDiscussion of controversial topics such as prison homosexuality, AIDS in prison, girls in gangs, and women on death rowExamples of successful, innovative programs for female offenders from the United States and abroadWorking with Female Offenders addresses the unique challenges of female offenders and those who treat them, and provides a much needed addition to the literature on innovative programming for female offenders.

The Maid Narratives shares the memories of black domestic workers and the white families they served, uncovering the often intimate relationships between maid and mistress. Based on interviews with over fifty people - both white and black - these stories deliver a personal and powerful message about resilience and resistance in the face of oppression in the Jim Crow South.The housekeepers, caretakers, sharecroppers, and cooks who share their experiences in The Maid Narratives ultimately moved away during the Great Migration. Their perspectives as servants who left for better opportunities outside of the South offer an original telling of physical and psychological survival in a racially oppressive caste system: Vinella Byrd, for instance, from Pine Bluff, Arkansas, recalls how a farmer she worked for would not allow her to clean her hands in the family's wash pan. These narratives are complemented by the voices of white women, such as Flora Templeton Stuart, from New Orleans, who remembers her maid fondly but realises that she knew little about her life. Like Stuart, many of the white narrators remain troubled by the racial norms of the time. Viewed as a whole, the book presents varied, rich, and detailed accounts, often tragic, and sometimes humorous. The Maid Narratives reveals, across racial lines, shared hardships, strong emotional ties, and inspiring strength.