Violence Against Women: Countering Historical and Contemporary Missteps on the Road to Social
Justice examines violence against women as a systemic and intersectional human rights crisis. Drawing on sociology, law, public health, and feminist theory, the book emphasizes structural, political, and representational dimensions of intersectionality to show how racism, sexism, colonialism, ableism,
and economic inequality converge to shape patterns of harm and help-seeking. The book traces
how language, media narratives, institutional practices, and state policies reproduce vulnerability and
constrain justice, while foregrounding survivor leadership and perspectives too often marginalized.

Kim M. Anderson is a professor in the School of Social Work at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and a member of the university's Violence Against Women Faculty Research Cluster, where she holds a secondary appointment.

Kirsten K. Havig is a therapist in private practice with an emphasis on the treatment of trauma rooted in interpersonal and family violence.