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By Janet Stanley and Chris Goddard.
John Wiley & Son
ISBN 0 471 99885 0
£17.99

This study examines the interplay between intimidation by violent parents and child protection failure. Its central premise is that workers who are subject to physical and psychological violence may develop hostage-like behaviour and lose the capacity to intervene effectively.

The authors use hostage theory as a framework for understanding helplessness and link it with other theories. This works well, although findings from attachment research and the neurosciences would enhance this exploration of fear.

It is worth remembering that violent clients are themselves fearful and unable to regulate their emotions. Evidence is given of the loss of focus on child protection that results from fear-driven systems and a powerful case is made for the impact of fear on child protection to be recognised and taken seriously.

Based on Australian research, practitioners will readily identify with the case material. Readers will be challenged to reconsider the existence of "untreatable" parents, the concept of family support and the nature of supervision. Those on the front line may feel less isolated and more confident to press for effective support.

Sue Richardson is a psychotherapist, trainer and co-editor of Creative Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Jessica Kingsley, 2001)