Although researchers have begun to examine the long-term impact of exposure to domestic violence on children, most studies focus exclusively on the mother-child dyad in examining children's adjustment. The presence and behavior of the abuser has been noticeably absent, even though such variables are likely to relate to children's well-being. This study presents evidence that the abuser's relationship to the child (whether he is the biological father, stepfather/father figure, or nonfather figure) is an important variable in understanding children's adjustment. Although level of physical abuse of the children did not differ by group, stepfathers were more emotionally abusive to the children and the children reported being more fearful of them, compared to the other two groups of abusers. Biological fathers were the most emotionally available to the children, yet these children reported lower self-competency compared to children whose mothers' abusers were not their father figures. Research and policy implications are discussed.

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Alcohol-related problems are experienced most directly at the local level. There have been significant strides in evaluating locally based alcohol policies and prevention strategies. This article draws from this existing body of research to answer three questions: What is known about effective local interventions and policies? What are the main challenges facing local action on alcohol and how can those challenges be addressed? How can local action on alcohol be sustained? This article reviews evaluated local alcohol interventions and policies, focusing on several countries where these initiatives have been evaluated: for example, Australia, Canada, Finland, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The positive outcomes associated with community-based initiatives are summarized and features of successful local action are identified. Although current research finds a number of positive outcomes of local alcohol interventions and policies, a number of challenges of this work remain; these challenges include providing adequate training, resources, and tools for local action; building local resource streams and coalitions to sustain expertise; sustaining long-term commitment to monitor and evaluate the effects of policies; and addressing the vested interests of community stakeholders in alcohol policy efforts. Lessons learned and recommendations for future community-based alcohol prevention initiatives are drawn from the findings and challenges of current work.

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