ABSTRACT
During the last quarter of the twentieth century, male violence and the physical abuse of women in the home were recognised throughout the world as problems of importance and placed on the agendas of social and political change. Women’s groups brought the problem onto a world stage and sought social and political changes and interventions in order to provide relief to women who were abused. At the beginning, prevailing perceptions of the problem and possible solutions constituted formidable obstacles (c.f., Fairbairn 1975). The myth of family unity and bliss exploded as the issue was made public and the unacceptable face of the private world of conflict, power and violence was exposed to scrutiny. Thereafter, the issue could never again be ignored or denied. Instead, it had to be acknowledged and solutions had to be sought.
