Most women in the sample were white; 14 percent were black and 2 percent were Hispanic. About 37 percent were in intact marriages, 15.7 percent were separated, 19.6 percent were divorced, and 27.4 percent had never married. To assess the context of violence committed by women, respondents were asked about direct abuse experiences in the family of origin, including emotional, physical, and sexual abuse. The women were also asked about the frequency of violence initiation, which partner began the overall pattern of violence in the relationship, if they used physical force or aggression with their partners, and the primary reason for resorting to violence. Results showed about two-thirds of the women were battered and used violence to protect themselves or to retaliate for previous violence against them. Many women reported experiencing abuse within their families of origin. More than one-third of the women reported some type of sexual victimization, either within their families or by nonfamily members. Almost half of the women reported having been battered in a previous relationship. Fifty-one percent said the men began the pattern of violence in the relationship. Implications of the findings for conceptualizing female violence and for training law enforcement personnel are discussed, and recommendations for further research on female-initiated violence are offered. 16 references and 2 tables