This volume argues that as many as one in four women have suffered neglect or abuse in childhood, doubling the likelihood of their suffering clinical depression in adult life. research. It examines the reasons why neglect and abuse occur and demonstrates how such negative experience in childhood often results in abusive adult relationships, low self-esteem and depression. Through the words of many ordinary women interviewed in the course of the research the authors show vividly what can be learned from the experience of adult survivors of abuse.