The spouse abuser typically has the public image of a nonviolent, responsible family man. Police and the courts must look beyond this image to the evidence of private violence against his wife. Abusive husbands do not believe their behavior violates law or social norms; they view it as a minor private matter that does not warrant criminal justice intervention. Violent spouse abuse is usually part of a pattern of controlling behaviors that includes verbal abuse, threats, psychological manipulation, sexual coercion, and economic control. The abuser is often obsessively jealous and possessive. Abusers often use the children to control the wife. They may contest custody or child-support agreements to coerce their partners to reconcile or drop criminal complaints. Despite the high correlation between alcohol or drug use and spouse abuse, experts agree that alcohol or drug use does not cause men to batter their wives. Effective alcohol or drug treatment alone will not stop abusive behavior. Most abusive men are not motivated to change their behavior. Those who do change generally accept legal sanctions and persevere in counseling. 19 references.