The readings include journal article excerpts, book chapters, and news media articles. Readings on the nature of violence against women compare the family violence and feminist perspectives on the causes of domestic violence and the appropriate responses, discuss cultural explanations for domestic violence, and examine violence in teenage relationships. Five readings on help for victims of abuse focus on the police response, universal screening, counseling victims who have killed their abusers, psychological recovery, and the role of families and friends. Six papers on legal issues discuss the role of the criminal justice system, federal protection through the Violence Against Women Act, the battered woman syndrome defense, reasons courts award batterers custody of children during divorce proceedings, the effect of welfare reform on battered women, and insurance discrimination against battered women. The final five readings present personal stories of abuse and survival. Annotated list and addresses of resource organizations, index, and 35 references