Violence against women is one of the most important struggles for social justice and equality taking place in the world today. Despite decades of hard work, the problem of male violence against women continues to increase, continues to be linked to worn out themes of hierarchy and patriarchy. Using the power of communication found in a story, Soul Dust is an exploration of the experience of a battered woman, the expression of male domination, and the ingredients present in a battered woman's fight to survive.About the Author: Catherine Duggan is an advocate for victims of violent crime. She served on the board of directors for the California Crime Victims Assistance Association between 2002 and 2013. Ms. Duggan chaired the Association's Public Policy and Legislation Committee for three years. In January 2011, Ms. Duggan was elected president of the Association. In 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Ms. Duggan to the California Sex Offender Management Board. The board was created by Assembly Bill 1015 for the purpose of addressing issues, concerns, and problems related to the community management of adult sex offenders. In 2009, Ms. Duggan was a recipient of the California Governor's Crime Victim Advocate Award. This prestigious award recognized Ms. Duggan's leadership in advancing the rights of crime victims. In 2010, Ms. Duggan was the recipient of the "Victim Advocate of the Year" award. This award was presented to Ms. Duggan by the California Crime Victims Action Alliance. The Action Alliance is a statewide organization dedicated to enforcing crime victim rights. Ms. Duggan serves on a number of statewide committees and is the author of numerous professional articles on issues concerning the needs of crime victims.