Domestic violence initiatives, after all, are fairly new in this country; until the 1990s, we had more animal shelters than women’s shelters. Simpson trial and the passage of the Violence Against Women Act, in 1994, transformed the understanding of domestic violence — and up to the series of steps that can save lives today. Train clergy members and doctors to recognize and respond to domestic violence. And, of course, there is the near-unanimous recommendation from law enforcement and domestic violence advocates: “You want to get rid of homicide?” a retired forensic nurse asks. “Get rid of guns.”In its scope and seriousness — its palpable desire to spur change — this book invites reflection not only about violence but about writing itself.

Source: New York Times May 07, 2019 20:01 UTC