That's the apology that many policemen make to battered women as they walk away from a domestic dispute, without helping. For women like Christine, Linda and Susan it's a frustrating and painful reminder that society is not treating the violence they suffer as a crime. Since a government enquiry ten years ago it should have become easier to get the protection and support of the law, or to escape and set up a new home. But, as Linda says, most of the measures introduced as a result 'are not worth the paper they are written on'. Alarmingly, the only organisation that is providing advice and shelter, Women's Aid, is facing a funding crisis.