Preventing violence in Australia: Policy, practice and solutions, edited by Andrew Day, Professor of Psychology at Deakin University and Ephrem Fernandez, Professor of Psychology at University of Texas, is a book filled with contributions from experts from a wide range of fields including psychology, sociology, social work, public policy, law and education in violence prevention. The editors, who have expertise in both clinical practice and scholarship, have skilfully amalgamated the various disciplinary and professional perspectives that exist on how to best prevent several different types of violence that pose huge challenges to Australian society. They represent violent crime, homicide, domestic violence, family violence in Indigenous communities, youth violence, alcohol-fuelled violence, mental health-related violence, racially-motivated violence, workplace violence and bullying in schools. The chapters are clearly written commencing with an overview of the prevalence of the issue, and make effective use of tables, charts and case studies to further articulate the points being made. Theoretical underpinnings driving practice are properly highlighted. The book is one of a rare kind because it presents prevention and intervention strategies that are known to be effective, including some internationally trialled methods, as possible solutions in addition to the usual aetiology and social and cultural impacts of violence that prevail in the literature.

There are a number of successful international and Australian programs and tools associated with preventing violence presented throughout the book and the issues discussed are timely. For example, there are three chapters considering youth violence. The rate of violence in Australian youths is relatively high and has been increasing over recent decades. The discussions outline international early intervention programs that have been effective in countering the four risk factors of: (1) relative disadvantage; (2) family violence and child maltreatment; (3) school failure and; (4) early age alcohol use. As these programs have been critiqued and evaluated carefully, the authors suggest that implementation with appropriate tailoring to an Australian context is sensible. This information will be particularly helpful to program designers and administrators.

Some chapters offer culturally sensitive perspectives. Australian case studies highlighting the strength of incorporating customary kinship practice among Indigenous communities into mainstream approaches will be a breath of fresh air to many practitioners who work with Indigenous communities on the mainland. Another example is the discussion of “High-risk special treatment” units in New Zealand. This is a prison-based intensive program for high-risk violent offenders of Maori or Pacific Islander descent. The program highlights the success of integrating mainstream treatment approaches with distinct cultural practices. Such approaches can be adapted to working with Indigenous and migrant communities in Australia. Bringing proven good practices such as these to attention, the editors provide “food for thought” to those who work at the frontline who do not necessarily have the time to conduct their own research.

The chapters contain plenty of practical insights as each topic is written by authors who have specific expertise in the area discussed. The discussions provide useful and, more often than not, novel or less-recognised information. As an example, Chapter 2 draws attention to certain aspects of the impact of violence on victims which are not yet broadly recognised, such as the impact of treatment by the police on a victim's psychological state, and how having a voice during the judicial process may assist the victim's recovery. These are important points but are generally absent from public discussions.

Overall, the book provides an at-a-glance information source for most of the common types of violence that occur in society. It is a valuable read for people interested in understanding violence in Australia generally, but also accommodates those seeking to become informed about state-of-the-art prevention, risk assessment and intervention strategies.

In concluding, Preventing Violence in Australia is a reminder of the wide array of violence that affects present-day society. At a time when domestic/family violence is finally attracting the political and social attention that it deserves, the release of this book will act as a warning that there are multiple other types of violence that also require a lot more attention.