Violence against Mothers/Children

Violence against mothers and children is a serious, persistent, and global social problem. Scholars and activists primarily embed violence against mothers and children in a discourse connected to the universal right for all women to live free from violence. Women are disproportionately at risk for experiencing interpersonal violence when compared to their male counterparts. Violence against women takes many forms, including physical abuse, sexual violence, psychological or emotional abuse, and stalking. Cross-cultural research indicates that violence is associated with other sociocultural factors that limit women's access to resources.

Data indicate that in the United States, women are at the greatest risk for experiencing violence during their reproductive years, ages 16 to 24. Violence against mothers and children is therefore deeply rooted in the larger body of ...