The Federal Violence Against Women Act took effect in September 13, 1994 and will provide $1.6 billion over the next 6 years to improve training of police and prosecutors. The three community resources that have been found to increase a woman's chance of ending the violence against her are access to legal assistance, social support, and access to child care. In addition, everyone in a community, from the judiciary to the general public, requires education so that domestic violence will not be tolerated. In Massachusetts, the Norfolk County Sheriff's Office and Correctional Center of Massachusetts offer a wide a variety of services that emphasize domestic violence victim intervention and inmate treatment. In 1992, Maryland changed its laws to strengthen the role of law enforcement in preventing further domestic violence in families in which violence has already occurred. Finally, instant photography is one of the most effective tools that law enforcement personnel can use to aid the investigation and prosecution of abusers. Photographs