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The effectiveness of a strengths- and community-based support and advocacy intervention for battered women and their children was examined. The study included a longitudinal, experimental design and employed multimethod strategies to measure children's exposure to abuse and their self-competence over a period of 8 months. Maternal experience of abuse and maternal well-being were also assessed. The experimental intervention involved advocacy for mothers and their children and a 10-week support and education group for the children. Families in the experimental condition received the free services of a trained paraprofessional for 6 to 8 hours per week over 16 weeks. Eighty mothers and their 80 children participated in the study. Findings were modest but promising. Children in the experimental condition reported significantly higher self-competence in several domains compared to children in the control group. The intervention caused improvement in women's depression and self-esteem over time. Policy, practice and research implications are discussed.

This article examines the relationship between domestic abuse and income level on women's physical health. The authors maintain that physical abuse and poverty contribute to women's poor physical health, with physical abuse being a stronger factor than income level.

This article discusses the continuous abuse women face despite their

Addressed undergraduate women's perceptions of and responses to sexual harassment in a university setting. Examined predictors of reporting incidents of harassment and of attitudes toward reporting procedures. Indicated that subjects perceived reporting behavior to be predicted by severity of harassment, fear of being accused of lying, perceived effectiveness of reporting, and fear of the reporting procedure itself. (Author/ABB)

A study reveals that women with abusive partners cope with the violence and the sense of betrayal in various ways, and most women turn to spirituality or God as a source of strength or comfort. Extent of religious involvement predicts increased psychological well-being and decreased depression, while greater religious involvement is also related to increased social support to colored women.

The method of prioritization of help-seeking activities by the survivors is examined. Findings suggest that comprehensive and individualized approaches to advocacy for battered women are essential.

Battered women with children between 5 and 12 years were interviewed with a view to examining the safety planning strategies employed by them. Several strategies were revealed but it was concluded that no one strategy could be prescribed for all and that some women continued to be in danger no matter what steps they took to protect themselves.

Women, who are exposed to secondary stressors and violence shortly after shelter exit, experienced relatively higher levels of depression that either did not improve or significantly increased with time. Social support is the only resource to have the hypothesized decreasing effect on depression.

Most battered women in a study about seeking help from family and friends confided in these people. Reactions depended on factors including number of children, number of separations, the battered woman's relationship with her abuser, and whether friends and family were threatened.

The article presents a study which aims to examine the emotional and behavioral adjustment of children who have seen the abuse experienced by their mothers from their biological or non-biological fathers. The study recruited mother and children participants from a social services department, a community-based family service association, and domestic violence service programs. Results show no proof supporting the notion that mothers who experienced abuse have an increased stress and discipline usage. It suggests the need for investigation on the role of the abusers on the adjustment of children over time.