Over the past few years violence against women has become a main concentration among NGOs and the government. Unfortunately, the efforts made by activist to fight for women’s rights to combat problems have been fruitless due to the lack of proper information and awareness about the issue. The publication addresses this void and provides a comprehensive and thorough assessment of the situation. It attempts to understand how women victims suffer violence and cope with its implications, and it examines the institutional response of the state and other organisations to the plight of the vulnerable women. While it paints a picture of negligence, it also highlights traditional means of dealing with the problem by suggesting practical and feasible recommendations for change. The volume is based on extensive data, gathered during research and interviews carried out in rural Anuradhapura, Nuwara Eliya, Matara and Kandy, and it illustrates the widespread manifestations of violence against women in Sri Lanka. Through her work, the author stresses the urgency for legal reform, gender sensitising and training.