First published in 1985, this book looks at the victimisation of women, focusing on the four main areas of incest, rape, physical violence, and sexual harassment. It examines women's experiences of male violence and looks at the reactions of those to whom women complain, including police officers, judges and union officials.

Preface; Acknowledgements 1. Introduction Part I: Ordinary experiences 2. Ordinary Experiences 3. Incest: some of us learn as children 4. Rape: the ever-present terror 5. Wife battering: all in the family 6. Sexual harassment: coercion at work 7. Women's lives and male power Part II: The second assailant 8. The rhetoric of protection 9. Male violence, criminal violence 10. 'Typical' men's behaviour: working women's grievances 11. Lots of complaints: strategies for survival; Notes; Bibliography; Index