Following an examination of terminology used in the literature to describe domestic violence, the report reviews the extent of domestic violence as determined from studies of homicide and assault, crime surveys, and civil court statistics. The nature of domestic violence is described in terms of victims, the scale and severity of violence, physical and psychological effects, effects on children, and the situational context. Explanations of domestic violence are offered that focus on individual pathology, social structures, and feminist issues. Legal remedies are then considered, as well as police reaction (response time to calls for assistance, arrests, crisis intervention, referral to other agencies, and attitudes). The prosecution process is detailed, with various offender treatment programs noted. Obtaining assistance outside the criminal justice system is discussed, with such help coming from friends and family, the medical profession, social service agencies and programs, and shelters. Victim satisfaction with assistance is addressed, along with future directions for improving civil, criminal, medical, and social responses to domestic violence. The importance of interagency cooperation and community awareness of the domestic violence problem is stressed. 364 references.