It is based on the published international literature and on contact with projects and service providers, including those in and around the two project areas. The body of the report consists of a review of what is known about this crime generally as well as a summary of findings regarding prevention and their implications for action. The report focuses on men's violence against their women partners or ex-partners. An analysis of police statistics for the two project areas confirms conclusions from other studies, i.e., domestic violence is a significant problem. Domestic violence has been found to consist mostly of repeated attacks by the same assailant; they escalate in frequency and severity over time. The second section of the report summarizes the results of an inquiry into preventive responses conducted between October 1990 and June 1991 overseas, in Britain, and on the project estates. The discussion focuses primarily on policing, with short summaries of the use of civil law and community supports for women. Among the recommendations for police is the establishment of integrated, coordinated, and adequately resourced domestic violence units headed by senior staff. These units should provide prompt follow-up of cases, a visible contact point for women to obtain information and advice on criminal justice matters and community services, advice to and training of officers, daily monitoring of division practices in responding to domestic violence, and links with local interagency forums. 132 references