Taking Charge

Over the past several years, there has been an increasing public awareness of and support for efforts to provide assistance to specially victimized groups in crisis--battered women, victims of crimes, persons with disabling diseases, and others faced with traumatic situations. Because criminal justice professionals are often the first to be in direct contact with someone experiencing these types of traumas, it is vital that they have a thorough understanding of crisis theory and of effective intervention techniques. This volume, written for police officers, auxiliary police, probation and parole agents, and correctional personnel, offers a comprehensive guide to crisis intervention within the context of the criminal justice system. Aimed at helping criminal justice professionals develop the skills necessary to diffuse and resolve a wide variety of crisis situations, the book examines specific types of crises in detail, analyzes their causes and how people react to them, and demonstrates techniques that can help the intervener take charge of situations for those persons temporarily unable to help themselves. The volume begins by discussing five major approaches to crisis intervention, showing how aspects of each can be integrated into a workable overall approach. Romano goes on to examine the characteristics of crisis situations, identifying the behaviors and the typical flow of a crisis. The chapters address specific aspects of crisis intervention including communication in life-threatening situations, the components of, and crisis intervention with victims. Interaction with such groups as the bereaved, those contemplating suicide, the elderly, victims of violence and rape, and those involved in domestic disputes each receive extended treatment. Finally, the author discusses the occupational stresses experienced by crisis interveners--problems such as intervener burnout, self-doubt, and the difficulty of maintaining emotional control. Indispensable for any criminal justice professional faced with crisis intervention responsibilities, this book should also be required reading for those aspiring to careers in this field.