AllMovie

One of the major consequences of the 1970s women liberation movement, in terms of public policy, was a heightened concern for and awareness of the problems surrounding domestic violence. It was, for this country at least, the revelation of a closely held, very dark history. Social science research demonstrated that the problem was more widespread and omnipresent than anyone could have imagined. This hour-long documentary, partly educational and partly critical, explores the social, psychological, and cultural factors that contribute to violence against women. Built out of interview footage with battered women and health officials, the film makes a point of demonstrating that this kind of violence crosses all ethnic and economic lines. It's not just a record of abuse, however. The film concludes by showing how these women, with the help of public and private agencies, have gotten their lives together, confronted their abusers, and moved on.