ABSTRACT
It is evident from Obi Ebbe’s theoretical considerations in Chapters 1-4 that abuse of women and children is a global problem a ecting societies around the world. Country-speci c case studies in Chapters 5-15 and 17-19 addressing issues related to abuse of women and children in European, African, Asian, and North and South American continents provide ample evidence of the universal nature of the problem.1 As Ebbe documents in the introductory chapters, instances of abuse of women and children date back to ancient times and continue through the present. ere is an increasing awareness of abuse in both the developed and developing world. Problems of abuse mani fest themselves in a myriad of ways ranging from rape, sex o enses, and assault to emotional and psychological abuse to deprivation of inheritance rights and forced marriages. Abuse includes domestic violence and familial child abuse, criminal acts by acquaintances and strangers, organized criminal activity involving human tra cking, and other activities. Motivations for and causes of abuse di er substantially, by type of abuse, culture, and the individuals involved.
