Scott v. Hart was filed on behalf of a class of married and unmarried women who received either an inadequate response or no response when they telephoned the Oakland Police Department for help and protection against physical abuse from the men with whom they were involved. Goals of the lawsuit were to (1) reverse the police department's policy of avoiding arrests in these cases and (2) educate both the criminal justice system and the public about the problem of domestic violence. The lawsuit resulted in a settlement in 1979 that changed the police department's policy, required the city to obtain support services for battered victims, and ensured changed training and further monitoring of the situation. Recommendations for lawyers considering similar suits are to (1) educate themselves about domestic violence, (2) ask about the police department's written policies and actual practices, and (3) obtain affidavits from battered women who have contacted the police. State courts may be a more appropriate choice than Federal courts for a class-action suit. 35 notes.