Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes

A collection of recent research and real-life reports on trauma bonding in many contexts of interpersonal violence

Trauma bonding, the emotional attachment victims develop toward their abusers or captors, has been repeatedly observed in victims of interpersonal crimes -- yet little is known about its formation, persistence, and positive resolution in survivors.

Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes provides a timely review of existing theoretical conceptualizations and research findings on trauma bonding in relation to various forms of interpersonal crimes, including human trafficking, intimate partner violence, child sexual abuse, cults, kidnapping, gang violence, and terrorism.

With an accessible and reader-friendly style, lead author Joan A. Reid examines the concept of trauma bonding while offering insights into the consequences of how the phenomenon is framed in the public discourse and the professional sectors. Twelve chapters investigate key topics ranging from methodological issues and research limitations to current debates on victimology within academic disciplines such as criminology, psychology, social work, sociology, and public health.

Providing a holistic approach to the subject, Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes:

• Highlights the complexities of intervention and treatment for trauma survivors and clinicians
• Explores the implications for policy related to trauma bonding
• Recommends potential avenues for integrated theory and research
• Features case studies that combine individual examples and evidence-based research
• Includes definitions of terms, critical thinking questions, and further readings in each chapter

Part of Wiley’s Psycho-Criminology of Crime, Mental Health, and the Law series, Trauma Bonding and Interpersonal Crimes is an invaluable resource for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners in areas related to victims of human trafficking, intimate partner violence, and child sexual abuse.

Joan A. Reid, PhD, LMHC is Professor of Criminology and Director of the University of South Florida Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Risk to Resilience Research Lab. Dr. Reid has authored more than 70 publications primarily focused on the sex trafficking of girls and boys in the United States. She hasappeared as a citing authority in human trafficking cases in various State Supreme Courts and an amicus brief related to the U.S. Supreme Court case Jane Doe vs. Backpage. As a licensed mental health counselor, Reid provides psychotherapy to rape, sexual abuse, and sex trafficking survivors.