Domestic Violence: From a Private Matter to a Federal Offense Book

Domestic violence has evolved in recent years from a husband's prerogative, to a technical violation of the law, to a crime with potentially serious consequences. As the toll of domestic violence becomes increasingly apparent, society is growing less and less tolerant of it. This three-volume series charts a revolution that arguably is as important to the lives of women as obtaining the rights to own property and to vote.

Through incisive articles by leading authorities, landmark cases and diverse historical and contemporary documents, this three-volume set explores the history, nature and causes of domestic violence. A comprehensive introduction by the editor provides an analytical overview of the problem, presents a wide variety of viewpoints on controversial issues and a roadmap to challenges that lay ahead.

The series chronicles the legal systems historically lackluster response to battering, tactics used by victims to force authorities to respond to their calls for help and innovative efforts underway to deter the problem through, among other things, education and enhanced legal sanctions.

Libraries, law schools, law enforcement agencies, the judiciary, medical and social service professionals will find these books to be an indispensable reference work, the richest and most comprehensive collection available on the subject of domestic violence. For scholars in diverse fields such as history, sociology, psychology and women's studies, the anthology is an invaluable tool for interdisciplinary research. All readers will find the series to be a treasure trove of information regarding the evolving status of women in modern history.