However, official data including police reports and National Crime Survey domestic assault data show much lower assault rates by wives than husbands. This discrepancy with general survey results can be explained largely by the degree to which each accounts for injuries inflicted on the victim. When injury adjusted rates are computed from general survey responses, they also show a predominance of male assault. The author argues that the high rate of minor assaults by wives contributes to the societal justification for wife beating. Therefore, primary prevention of wife beating should include steps to reduce the high incidence of assaults by wives as well as by husbands. 1 figure, 2 notes, and 64 references (Author abstract modified)