Domestic violence, an extensive phenomenon which has greatly increased in recent years, is one of the main social problems central to the social work profession. In my role as a social worker in a battered women's shelter in Tel Aviv, I have been exposed both to the distress and the strength of these women and their children. Hence, out of a deep commitment for this population I took a decision to focus my academic career on the three aspects of this issue: research, teaching and contribution to the field