Women at Risk: Domestic Violence

Although many new domestic violence videos are a little on the pricey side, with Women at Risk you get just what you pay for: not much. Opening with an exceptionally tacky Star Wars-type scroll of statistics, overlaid with bombastic accompanying music, the program replays the now-infamous Oct. 25, 1993 call from Nicole Simpson to 911 (a static scene comprising nearly a quarter of the video). The remainder of the tape offers dramatized interviews in which actresses emotionally read cue cards detailing actual cases of domestic violence, together with "expert" interviews with an attorney and social service providers (some of whom are also reading scripts). Unfortunately, only the last few minutes address the issue of "stopping the abuse," and the advice presented here is skimpy, at best. Not recommended. Ending Family Violence (VL-1/95), while much more expensive, is far superior. (R. Pitman)