The War on Women

The War on Women examines domestic violence in Canada through documented cases and survivor accounts. The book centers on the story of Elly Armour, a country music promoter who shot her abusive husband and was later acquitted of murder charges. Through interviews, research, and legal documentation, Brian Vallée presents multiple accounts of domestic abuse survivors and their interactions with the justice system. The narrative connects individual stories to establish patterns and systemic issues in how society and courts handle domestic violence cases. The book represents Vallée's final work in his trilogy on domestic abuse, following Life with Billy and Life After Billy. Stephen Lewis provides the foreword, adding context to the national scope of the issue. This examination of violence against women reveals deep-rooted social and institutional barriers that impact victim safety and justice. The work stands as both documentation of individual experiences and analysis of broader cultural patterns that perpetuate domestic abuse.

Readers found this book eye-opening about domestic violence, with many noting it changed their perspective on abuse patterns and systemic failures. The research and real cases resonated with both survivors and professionals in law enforcement and social services. What readers liked: - Clear presentation of statistics and data - Effective use of personal stories to illustrate broader issues - Practical suggestions for policy changes - Canadian focus provides unique perspective What readers disliked: - Writing style can be dry in statistical sections - Some felt the solutions proposed were unrealistic - A few readers wanted more international comparisons Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (82 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.5/5 (11 ratings) Amazon.com: 4.2/5 (8 ratings) Notable reader comment: "This book should be required reading for police officers, judges, and anyone working in the justice system" - Goodreads reviewer

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🔹 In Canada, prior to 1983, spousal abuse was not considered a criminal offense, which is one of the key legal developments discussed in Vallée's research. 🔹 Author Brian Vallée was inspired to write about domestic violence after learning about the murder of his childhood friend by her husband in 1968. 🔹 The book reveals that between 2000 and 2006, an average of 77 women per year were killed by their intimate partners in Canada. 🔹 Elly Armour, one of the book's central figures, survived three murder attempts by her husband before finally escaping the relationship. 🔹 Vallée spent over two decades investigating and writing about domestic violence, producing multiple acclaimed works including "Life with Billy" and "Life After Billy" before writing "The War on Women."