The striking similarity between female bulimics and physically victimized women in terms of their coping patterns, defenses, behavioral history, and affect led to the current investigation. The women completed both a questionnaire and an interview in which information on the incidence of four categories of physical victimization were investigated. These included rape, sexual molestation, physical abuse as a child, and battery. Of the women interviewed, 66 percent had been physically victimized, 23 percent were raped, 29 percent were sexually molested, 29 percent were physically abused as children, and 23 percent were battered. Parallels are drawn between behaviors and symptoms observed in the bulimic and patterns observed in victims of physical assault and molestation. Reasons for the underreporting of victimization experiences are discussed. (Author abstract modified).