Domestic violence has a long historical presence in our society. Initially, it was seen solely as a family matter. It was an acceptable means for men to discipline their wives and children, who were considered little more than the man's property. There was a lack, if any, of legal consequences for the aggressor and, in fact, domestic violence had previously been sanctioned by English common law (The National Center for Victims of Crime). As the issue infiltrated the public consciousness, advocacy groups rose to the forefront and fought for the rights of abuse victims. They called for changes, not just to laws, but to how victims and perpetrators of abuse are treated by law enforcement and legal institutions. As a result of these efforts, many changes have been successfully implemented. Progress has been slowly made on behalf of victims' rights. However, the statistics remain discouraging. According to the National Center for Victims of Crime, one in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime. In one year, 389,100 women and 78,180 men were victims and, on average, three people a day are killed by an intimate partner. Even though most victims are women, anyone is at risk of becoming a victim themselves. Domestic violence has no borders. It makes no distinction between those who are rich and those who are poor. It does not discriminate based on race, sexual orientation or religion. It overcomes all barriers of age and gender. It can happen to anyone, at any time, but the consequences can be far-reaching. Like a stone thrown out of the water, domestic violence causes ripples that touch the lives of many. Not only are the lives of the victims and those of their families, but also the lives... center of paper... initial responses within child protective services: a longitudinal examination. Child Welfare, 89(3), 57-77. Mayes, R., & Llewellyn, G. (2009). What happens to parents with intellectual disabilities after their child is removed in child protection proceedings? Journal of Intellectual and Developmental Disability, 34(1), 92-95. doi:10.1080/13668250802688348National Center for Victims of Crime. Retrieved: 01/10/2012, from http://www.ncvc.org.The National Organization for Women. Statistics. Retrieved: 01/10/2012, from: http://www.now.org.Osofsky, J.D. (1995). Children witnessing domestic violence: the invisible victims. Social Policy Report, IX(3), 1-19.Winter, K. (2010). The perspectives of young children in care about their situation and the implications for social work practice. Social work for children and families, 15(2), 186-195. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2206.2009.00658.x