The first section summarizes Canadian federal, provincial, and territorial programs, policies, and legislation existing in 1984 that were available to respond to the needs of battered women. These situation reports cover specific issues under such general categories as the criminal justice system, health, welfare and social services, counseling programs, public education, and uses of non-official language materials. The report presents a detailed two-year plan outlining initiatives to be taken by the various levels of government as they work to eliminate wife battering. The greatest challenge to overcoming the problem, says the report, is effectively changing attitudes and learned behavior that contribute to the cycle of violence.