This article reports the findings of an exploratory study of the experiences of 51 battered women in four spouse abuse shelters in a Florida county with a preferred arrest policy. Despite this policy, which encourages the police to arrest spouse abusers, the police arrested only 12 abusers, although 36 women wanted their abusers to be arrested. Moreover, the police provided information about injunctions for the protection of the battered woman and spouse abuse shelters in only 22 cases. Possible reasons for these findings and implications for social work practice are presented. A brief literature review is included. Methodology is explained. Limitations of the findings of this study are enumerated. References