Grace, I'm sorry if you've heard this before. You're right, the connection about lowered rates of child abuse probably has crossed the minds and hearts of many lactation consultants. When I was in nursing school, I longed to do such research (starting with my middle child). Anyway, I found one article: "Family Violence and Breast-feeding" Archives of Family Medicine, Volume 4, July 1995, p. 650-652, author: Louise Acheson, MD, MS. It's a small study, but it's a start. Another way to go is to look at the affect of prolactin on males not of the human species (it tends to make them less violent). In truth, I haven't researched such studies, but have been told about them. Good luck in your search and speech. I'd love to pursue this, as I think it is so incredibly important. Lee-Ann Halbert, RN, BSN, JD, IBCLC