'Between Friends' Strip Addresses Spousal Abuse

By: E&P Staff Sandra Bell-Lundy's "Between Friends" comic is addressing spousal abuse in a storyline that will run intermittently through November.

According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, one in every four women will experience domestic violence at some point.

"A friend of mine was involved in this type of situation when she was in her early 20s," said Bell-Lundy. "She confided in me years later...."

To gain more insight into domestic abuse, the Canadian cartoonist met with staff at women's shelters.

Early response to the storyline has been very positive, according to King Features Syndicate, which distributes "Between Friends" to nearly 140 newspapers. It's primarily a humor strip.

An example of a "Between Friends" spousal-abuse episode can be seen here.

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