The chapter contains an historical analysis of spousal abuse and an examination of incidence and prevalence issues. It also explores the major theories surrounding wife abuse (i.e., the feminist framework, social learning theory, social exchange theory, and the impact of race), and discusses possible intervention and prevention strategies, including men’s treatment programs. The past two decades have witnessed increased public awareness, sweeping changes and legal innovations to protect women from abuse by their male partners. However, many public and private responses to victims remain lodged in decades-old preconceptions about the nature of intimate violence. Most prevention and intervention strategies are targeted at a micro level, but changing attitudes and behavior one man at a time will not be sufficient to end violence against women. Real change will involve a basic shift in social structures and values and in the way the legal system handles such cases, a shift away from societal tendencies to blame the victims. References