It is designed as a primer on domestic violence legislation and the lobbying process and includes a compilation of attitudes, recommendations, critiques, analysis, and statutory provisions written by domestic violence advocates, based on actual experiences of the members of the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence with respect to drafting, lobbying, enacting, and implementing legislation in their States. The substance of domestic violence legislation enacted in various States is evaluated in terms of how the interpretation and implementation of that legislation has proved useful to victims of domestic violence. The legislative process is illustrated by following legislative objectives from the idea stage through drafting, political strategy, and lobbying procedures. Finally, the manual includes a chart of State-by-State action in the area of domestic violence as compiled by the Center for Women Policy Studies in 1979. The legislation surveyed falls into the following categories: legislation intended to create public awareness of the issue, to alter institutional response to the issues, to fund services for domestic violence victims, and to eliminate or prevent domestic violence. Three appendixes list State legislation on domestic violence, provide a sample of a protection order check-off form, and present a report of institutional responses and funding legislation. Footnotes are included.