The first section discusses patterns and issues related to violence in Australia: the extent of violence in Australian society, race-related violence, youth violence, child abuse homicides, domestic violence, alcohol-related violence, and self- inflicted gun injuries. The second section consists of papers discussing various aspects of prevention and public policy vis-a- vis violence. Some of the topics explored here include violence against women, the defiance theory of domestic assault and domestic violence arrest policies, the relationship between violence and masculinity, alternative dispute resolution in the aboriginal and Pacific Islander communities, the prevention of violence around facilities serving alcohol, community safety programs, and police use of firearms. Chapter references