In the US, about one-third of women are victims of domestic violence—violence between intimate partners occurs regardless of race, ethnicity socioeconomic status, age, or sexual orientation—during their adult life. Annually some 4 million women are victims of serious assault. In 1993, approximately 1,300 women were murdered by intimate partners.

Domestic violence stories appear daily in newpapers; they are recurring items in television news reports, and are common themes of crime dramas and movies. Hence, when O.J. Simpson, an ex-football star, stood accused of murdering his wife, the fully televised trial became a media spectacle, gripping the nation for nine months.

The battered women’s movement of the 1970s raised public awareness; activists established hotlines, shelters, counseling groups for victims and treatment programs for batterers, and struggled to get police and courts to take domestic violence seriously.

“Why doesn’t she just leave?” Victims feel shame and embarrassment and may hide the abuse or blame themselves. Batterers gain control through physical force, threats, manipulation and isolation; victims may eventually feel powerless to escape. In fact, leaving a batterer can be dangerous for victims—when batterers feel they have lost power and control, they may become desperate, violent, even homicidal. Lack of resources and social support poses additional barriers. Despite obstacles, most domestic violence victims ultimately escape abusive relationships, often driven by concern for their children.