ABSTRACT
Domestic violence affects one in three women at some time in their lives (Mooney 1993). Forty-seven per cent of all female murders are a result of women being killed by their spouse or lover (Barclay and Tavarees 1999). In one-third of all cases of domestic violence, the children were aware of the last assaultative incident (Mirlees-Black 1999). Leaving a violent relationship and seeking help from external agencies is often a very slow process: on average women leave and return six times before leaving permanently (Barnett, Miller-Perrin and Perrin 1997). However, if a positive response is made by the agencies contacted, then this can be very beneficial to the woman involved, allowing her to start the process of moving from victim to survivor (Barnett, Miller-Perrin and Perrin 1997). It is clear that a co-ordinated and supportive response to domestic violence is essential.
