I hope you will give me feedback, but I also hope you will continue to "worry" at these questions, noticing your own words and thinking and those of colleagues. I hope you will engage in conversation about these issues with others and explore new ways of framing the intersection of literacy and violence and practice new approaches.

Acknowledgements

This paper is the result of collaboration with many wonderful people. I could not have even begun without the support and collaborative conceptual work of Susan Heald. Many literacy workers talked to us in focus groups and interviews and thought through the issues along with us - I learned wisdom from many more than are quoted here. Working with participants in the World Education project and Women's Success Group at Parkdale Project Read gave me many insights. Jennifer Woodill and Nicole Ysabet-Scott provided much needed support with notes and transcription. Janet Isserlis read my notes and gave helpful feedback. Judy Hofer and Elizabeth Morrish offered crucial help when I was blocked, talked through ideas, read drafts and generally made it possible for me to keep going. Moon Joyce, as usual, listened to my struggles through the whole course of this project. Mike Kelly generously posted this paper on my website and Ann Decter, as always, pared clarity out of my words even within the tightest deadlines. I offer a heartfelt thank you to everyone whose wisdom is reflected here and who supported the process of research and writing in any way. Finally I thank you for spending time to read and engage with these ideas and continue the discussion.