Historically, in most cultures, domestic violence has been an accepted fact of life. Only in recent years has it begun to be viewed as a criminal problem, and in many societies, it is still culturally acceptable. This informative reference resource allows students to compare and contrast the ways in which domestic abuse is viewed and handled by thirteen different representative countries from around the world. Students are encouraged to think critically to determine which cultures have been the most successful in dealing with domestic abuse and which prevailing techniques have been shared around the world to try to eliminate this very serious problem.

The countries chosen represent vastly different geographic regions and cultures. Each chapter describes how domestic violence is perceived in a particular country and follows with information on the incidence or extent of the problem in that country, as well as specific programs and approaches that have been taken to prevent and control it. This international perspective encourages students to recognize the problem as a global one, providing greater insight into the ways in which we can address it and find solutions to prevent it worldwide.