Topic: Domestic Violence

From unlikely undercover agent to East Timor's first lady

Australian Kirsty Sword Gusmao played a key role in the resistance movement in the 1990s. Today, as first lady of East Timor, she advocates for women's rights. 

House passes Violence Against Women Act, grudgingly

The Violence Against Women Act breezed through the Congress in previous years, but it's suddenly a heavy lift. The GOP House passed its version of the bill on a largely party-line vote, but getting to yes with the Senate will be tough.

Violence Against Women Act passes Senate after heated rhetoric

The Violence Against Women Act, or VAWA, passed the Senate Thursday, 68 to 31, after Democrats used it to accuse Republicans of being antiwoman.

'Half the Sky' exhibition hopes to inspire action

Based on the Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn book, the 'Half the Sky' exhibition in L.A. looks at oppression of women around the globe and ways to strengthen and empower them through education and jobs. 

On renewal of Violence Against Women Act, Senate Democrats have upper hand

After passing the Senate unanimously in years past, the Violence Against Women Act, with revisions, faces strong partisan opposition. Still, Republicans don't want to be tagged as waging a 'war on women.'

George Zimmerman bond hearing: 5 new things we learned

A judge ruled Friday that George Zimmerman can go free on $150,000 bond as he awaits trial in the Trayvon Martin case. The hearing turned into a mini-trial when defense attorney Mark O’Mara surprisingly challenged prosecutors' probable-cause affidavit. Here are five things we learned.

Cracker Barrel restaurant shooting leaves three dead in Ohio

The restaurant said the violence appeared to be the result of a domestic dispute between two customers.

Readers Write: Religion isn't exempt; A racist, 'civil' past; Guns and domestic abuse

Letters to the editor for the weekly print issue of March 19, 2012: Supporting Obama's birth-control mandate, one reader says, Religious liberty doesn't give you liberty to impose your views on others. Another asks, Was America's anti-Semitic past really more civil? Another flags an omission in a piece on US gun culture: A woman is more likely to be killed if her abuser has a gun.

Violence Against Women Act: A political opening for Democrats?

Senate Democrats aim to extend the Violence Against Women Act, adding services for illegal immigrants and same-sex couples, a move Republicans say is out to score political points.

International Women's Day: How it's celebrated around the globe

International Women's Day has served for more than a century as a day to honor the achievements of women globally. Here are some ways people are celebrating:

'The Godfather': 10 behind-the-scenes stories about the making of the classic films

From Tom Santopietro's new book 'The Godfather Effect,' a behind-the-scenes peek into making one of the greatest film series of all time.

Guatemalans scale volcano to protest domestic violence

Violence against women has surged in Central America, prompting awareness efforts like the one in Guatemala this weekend.

Army report: Suicide rate sets record; some alcohol abuse up 54 percent

But efforts to confront suicide have produced some encouraging successes, says a high-ranking Army official. And the number of soldiers being referred to treatment programs is increasing.

10 self-published novelists who made it big in 2011

These 10 self-published novelists all hit The New York Times bestseller list in 2011.

Other groups that fight domestic abuse

Johanna Crawford helps survivors of domestic abuse – and urges them to do the same

Johanna Crawford founded Web of Benefit to help women escape domestic violence and build new lives.

Tyrannosaur: movie review

'Tyrannosaur' is sometimes unfulfilling, but the performances carry the film.

Why Topeka, Kan., repealed its ban on domestic violence

The move was part of a successful bid to force the county district attorney to prosecute misdemeanor domestic-violence charges, which he wasn't doing because of budget cuts. For now, the crisis is averted, but the deeper budget problem for cities nationwide endures.

Karin Alfredsson travels the world to help stop violence against women

Author and journalist Karin Alfredsson founded 'Cause of Death: Woman' to investigate the worldwide epidemic of violent acts against women

The five most dangerous countries for women

TrustLaw, an organization that provides legal aid and information on women's rights, set out to determine which countries were the most dangerous for women.

White Irish Drinkers: movie review

'White Irish Drinkers' is a mean streets take on working-class Brooklyn where two brothers wrestle with their life of petty crime.

Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of February 21, 2011

Readers write in about immigrants seeking asylum in the US for domestic violence and wish retiring columnist David Francis a fond farewell.

In Latin America, new ads aim to steer men away from machismo

A growing number of men throughout Latin America are bucking traditional 'machismo' roles as a wave of anti-machismo ads and campaigns attempt to redefine what it means to be Latino.

Black History Month: 7 great books for teens

From gritty memoir to evocative fiction, these stories offer powerful lessons about race in America.