A review of current literature about the causes and prevention of violence against women is presented. The materials focus on the common theme of recognizing the victimization of women at all levels of society and include the following topics: (1) the history of violence and subordination of women, (2) sex role socialization, (3) sexism and the law, (4) women's movement responses to the trauma of abuse, and (5) government responses. The annotated bibliography highlights literature dealing with medical aspects, psychological and psychiatric studies, and sociological perspectives. (JAC)