regnancy (Worcester, 1992, p. 284). Such abuse can have serious consequences ranging from increased rates of miscarriage, to stillbirth, low birth weight babies, and even homicide.
In fact, it has only been just recently that the abused pregnant women has even been visible to the greater society (Noel & Yam, 1992, p. 871). For many years, domestic violence in general was kept hidden within families. Wives were either unwilling or too indecisive to take assertive action in their own defense (Aita, 1993, p. 52). In addition, societal mores only accentuated the problem. Since Europeans first migrated to North America, male power has dominated (Noel & Yam, 1992, pp. 872 873). From the beginning, English common law was adopted in the American colonies. According to that law, a man's wife had no legal standing. She could not own property, sign contracts, or control any wages earned. Such was the basis of inequality between man and wife.
It wasn't until the Women's Rights Movement of the 19th century that any real social change occurred. Then, in the late 1960s, the feminist movement focused attention on family violence. In particular, the woman's movement revealed child abuse and wife battering as significant problems (Noel & Yam, 1992, p. 871).
Today, numerous resources have been established for battered women. For example, organizations such as the Coalition Against Domestic Violence have been created specifically to serve battered women (Campbell, 1992, p. 470). There are over 1,000 such programs across the United States designed to help a women with any legal, safety, housing, and support services she might need. In addition, there is also a national domestic violence hotline, 800 333 SAFE. Upon calling the hotline, a battered woman will receive information regarding services in her specific area. Finally, effective January 1, 1992, all accredited hospitals were required to have in place protocols for health pro...