An in-depth examination of the various historical, cultural, economic, and legal forces that contribute to violence against women and girls in the United States as well as the policies, programs, and laws that have been created to ameliorate this pervasive problem. Nearly two decades into the 21st century, the United States still suffers from a disturbingly high incidence of domestic violence; continued sexual assault against women, both in uniform and on campus; and high levels of misogyny in American culture and politics. Violence Against Women and Girls: A Documentary and Reference Guide provides users with an understanding of the reasons why violence against women and girls in the United States continues. It also documents the resources that are available to female children and adults who have been victimized. The primary documents in this volume enable readers to gauge America's changing perceptions of the severity of this issue over time, understand the findings of important studies, hear harrowing first-hand accounts of girls and women who have been the victims of violence, and examine the debate over whether American society supports a "rape culture." This guide also showcases the efforts of individuals and groups who are fighting back to reduce such violence in family homes, on campus, and in communities. * Provides readers with a unique reference work that explicitly focuses on violence against women in all of its forms * Includes dozens of primary source documents that illuminate important milestones, issues, and viewpoints on the broad subject of violence against girls and women * Pays special attention to key topics, including sexual assault in the military, sexual assault on campus, and the debate about the existence of a "rape culture" in America * Provides a context-setting headnote and concluding analysis of subsequent impact with each primary document