The women ranged in age from 19 to 67 years, with a mean age of 37.8 years. About 85 percent were white, 8 percent were black, and the remainder were of other or mixed races. Most lesbians reported being in a committed relationship, and most heterosexual women were married. The women were generally well educated, but lesbians had slightly more education than heterosexual women. Nearly 65 percent of lesbians and 53 percent of heterosexual women reported they had experienced some type of violence. Significantly more lesbians (51 percent) than heterosexual women (33 percent) had experienced non-sexual physical violence. There was no difference between the groups in the prevalence of sexual violence. Principal actions for all women in response to violence were avoidance, talking to someone, and doing nothing. These responses were passive strategies that had limited value. 12 references and 5 tables