The first issue discussed is the development of a unifying theory for all types of family violence that will facilitate the creation of a specialized unit to respond to multiple forms of family violence. Another issue considered is the use of a Family Violence Coordinating Council to coordinate efforts to improve the justice system's response to family violence. Other issues discussed include training for professionals who work with victims and perpetrators of family violence, gender bias in family courts that consider the implications of spouse abuse for the resolution of family conflicts, the creation of a unified family court, and court docket priority for family violence cases. In the discussion of partner abuse the issues considered are assessment of the perpetrator's potential for additional violence, the use of death review teams to investigate the possibility of partner abuse, standards for offender treatment, and the expansion of legislation against stalking. Remaining topics discussed are child abuse, a changed emphasis from legal intervention to prevention, and a continuing role for investigation and litigation. Elements of the latter topic are the quality of expert testimony, forensically defensible investigative interviewing, the impact of the legal system on the provision of psychotherapy to child abuse victims, and the treating of violent sexual predators as a public health problem. 35 references