This article discusses the traumatic effects of domestic abuse. These effects include female alcoholism, child abuse & female suicide. Evidence is presented that female victims of domestic abuse are more likely to die by suicide. 5 major policy changes directed to the American government in order to curtail this abuse are included. These changes address: identification of abuse, effective response in dealing with abusive partners, additional funding for applied research, uniform legislation for punishment, & legislated provisions for community-based shelters for battered women. (SC)