9781422284018

In the Bible, Cain, the elder son of Adam and Eve, killed his brother Abel and became the world’s first murderer, thus setting a pattern for disastrous family relationships where jealousy and hatred can spiral out of control. Cain had long been resentful that his work in the fields was not appreciated, while the achieve- ments of Abel the shepherd were praised. When his objections were brushed aside, Cain was left feeling undervalued, jealous, and angry. He brooded, and one day he killed. The emotions that drove him to it have been familiar motives for violence ever since. When “Home” Is Not a Haven Only about 16 percent of murder victims in the United States are killed by total strangers. About 30 percent are killed by relatives, and another 54 percent by friends, neighbors, boyfriends, and others they know fairly well. In the case of femalemurder

victims, 35 percent are killed by husbands or boyfriends. For every personwho is killed, there are thousandsmorewho are subjected to physical vio- lence at home. Victims and attackers alike are found in every walk of life and in every age group. Sadly, for toomany people, their home is not the haven of love and comfort that it ought to be.

Until recently, violence between couples in the home has often gone unreported. Today, however, as the scale of the problem has come to light, organizations have been set up to tackle the issue.

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DOMESTIC CRIME