My current research examines the impact of changes in welfare laws on women who are victims of domestic violence. Major changes have been made recently in welfare policies, including the abolition of the current AFDC program in Illinois on Dec. 31, 1998, a 24-month time limit on AFDC for parents of children age 13 and over; and a new baby penalty. These changes are likely to have a major impact on women who are victims of domestic violence.

My research examines the relationship among: a) current use of welfare and professional and non-professional (i.e., friends and family) sources of support; b) human capital (i.e., employment history, education level, etc.) and job readiness; c) current levels of violence and anticipated impact of the end of a woman's welfare (if she currently receives it) on her relationship with the batterer; and d) levels of depression and anxiety.

My work is intended to develop knowledge about women's experience and to be useful to those wanting to achieve social, political, legal, and economic equality for women and men. I hope to span the gap between researchers and those who work for social change. For example, I was a member of the Illinois Task Force on Gender Bias in the Courts, a group devoted to eliminating gender discrimination in the state courts (see Riger, Foster-Fishman, Nelson, & Curran, 1995). I have also worked with many grass-roots, feminist organizations to help them develop effective organizational structures (see Riger, 1994).