In this article we review the growing body of research literature on domestic violence and welfare. We summarize and critique the existing research on domestic violence and welfare in several areas: prevalence of domestic violence among women receiving welfare; the relationship of domestic violence to their employment; and physical health and mental health, child support, and evaluations of policies and programs. We also raise some methodological concerns that can inform interpretation of existing data. We examine the relevance of the research for practice and policy, particularly for the implementation of the Family Violence Option. This review includes published research as well as unpublished studies presented at recent conferences.Changes in welfare laws in the form of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 have transformed welfare from an entitlement program that could provide ongoing cash assistance to a temporary program that restricts the time participants can obtain welfare benefits and emphasizes rapidly joining the labor force. PRWORA established a maximum 60-month time limit for total lifetime receipt of federal benefits under

This study measured the prevalence of violence that customers, managers, pimps, and intimate partners perpetrated against 222 women in indoor and outdoor prostitution venues in Chicago, Illinois. Violence occurred in all of the prostitution activities but differed in frequency and severity. Women outdoors generally reported higher levels of physical violence, but women in indoor venues were frequently victims of sexual violence and being threatened with weapons. These findings indicate that women across prostitution venues are often victims of violence, arguing against the depiction of indoor sex trade activities as harmless, consensual entertainment.

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Research studies documenting the large percentages of women on welfare who are current domestic violence victims prompted Congress to add the Family Violence Option (FVO) to the 1996 welfare reform legislation. The FVO allows the states to exempt violence victims temporarily from federal work requirements while they receive services to eliminate the violence in their lives. Interviews with state representatives and domestic violence advocates revealed that most states have adopted the FVO, but implementation varies widely. These variations are described along with pilot projects. Guidelines for continued implementation, monitoring, and tracking activities are offered.

Anecdotally, welfare‐to‐work programs have documented that domestic violence serves as a welfare‐to‐work barrier by partners’ interference with education, training and work, or by physical or mental trauma which also prevents employment. Four new research studies, which, although using different methods, including random and nonrandom surveys of welfare caseloads and random neighborhood surveys, document high and remarkably consistent prevalence of domestic violence within welfare caseloads. Although much more needs to be known, the prevalence of domestic violence in these women’s lives requires specific domestic violence‐sensitive welfare policies lest women become injured during the welfare‐to‐work process.