, 1994)." (Salazar, 253) This is not just troubling as a statistical illustrator of the problem's prevalence but it is indicative of a much larger cultural condition predisposing us to violence toward women. With ties to the patriarchal machinations of the country's monarchical origins and a dependency upon the fortification of such leanings in modern legal, social and even familial structure, the issue of domestic violence is very much a result of a long-standing and still present heritage of sexism. As we contend with the apparent root causes of domestic violence by helping women find ways out of negative relationships, we are yet contending with a more deep-seeded impulse toward misogyny and violence. The rationale for further study on this subject will be to provide those in social services, outreach programs and other positions of counsel with the understanding of this problem to address and navigate the correlation and cycle between violence and psychological suffering. This rationale is underscored by a recognition that "domestic violence is a prominent public health issue in the United States. It is the most frequent cause of serious injury to women, more than car accidents, muggings, and stranger rapes combined." (Rice, 1) This suggests a problem that is both widespread and significantly damaging to those whom it effects, meaning that there is a real and pressing need for counseling professionals to help victims cope with negative psychological experiences.

The methodology suggested by the literature review should be a survey of the experiences of women who have been abused and who remain in abusive relationships. It is suggested that this study be conducted statewide, with the intent to cast as broad a net as possible over suburban, urban and rural areas in order to bypass preconceived notions about geographical patterns.

The study will seek to court roughly 500 qualified participants by distributing 10,000 survey questionnaires through women's outreach...

By contacting such agencies and arming them with anonymous surveys to be distributed and voluntarily returned, we will seek to add nuance to an understanding of the correlation between our independent and dependent variables.
Works Cited:

An Abuse, Rape and Domestic Violence Aid and Resource Collection (AARDVARC). (2008). Long-Term Effects of Domestic Violence. Aardvarc.org.

Belmonte, J. (2007). Domestic Violence and Abuse. Helpguide.org.

Butter, V. (2006). The Physical and Psychological Effects of Domestic Violence on Women. Inver Hills Community College. Online at http://faculty.inverhills.edu/vbutter/domesticviolenceweb.htm

Goelman, Deborah M. (2004). Shelter from the Storm: Using Jurisdictional Statutes to Protect Victims of Domestic Violence after the Violence against Women Act of 2000. Columbia Journal of Gender and Law.

Hannah, Cheryl. (1998). The paradox of hope: the crime and punishment of domestic violence. William and Mary Law Review, 39.

Kelly, Kristin. (2004). Working Together to Stop Domestic Violence: State-Community Partnerships and the Changing Meaning of Public and Private. Journal of Sociology and Social Welfare.

MAHR. (2003). Stop Violence Against Women. University of Minnesota. Online at http://www.stopvaw.org/State_and_Federal_Domestic_Violence_Laws_in_the_United_States.html.

Park, Michelle. (2005). NAWL Supports Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act. National Association of Women Lawyers. Online at http://www.abanet.org/nawl/news/2006/releases/021006.html>.

Rice, M. (2005). Domestic Violence. United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

Salazar, Laura F.; Charlene K. Baker; Ann W. Price & Kathleen Carlin (Dec. 2003) Moving beyond the Individual: Examining the Effects of Domestic Violence Policies on Social Norms. American Journal of Community Psychology, 32 (3-4), 253-64.