According to some statistics, more than 50,000 women have been killed by their husbands or partners in the past ten years in this country.
Domestic violence is believed to be the most common, but least reported, crime in our nation.
As stunning as these statistics are, they become even more troubling when one recognizes that the violence can bleed over into the abuse of children, that the problem cuts across class lines, and that men are also victims, all of these facets making the tragedy not only more hidden but also less easily defined. Of course, there are longstanding legal remedies for violent injury. For example, the injured person can bring a criminal action for assault and battery. The difficulties in pursuing this route are numerous. The laws regarding such an assault and battery are often not enforced.