The four selected programs represented a range of program formats in terms of duration and services (in Pittsburgh, Pa.; Dallas, Tex.; Houston, Tex.; and Denver, Colo.). In addition to the 618 men arrested for domestic violence and referred by the courts to batterer programs, their female partners at the time of the arrest and/or during the follow-up period were included in the study. Interviews were conducted with the men and their female partners at program intake and every 3 months after that for up to 15 months. Recidivism was used as the principal outcome measure and was assessed through a series of questions. According to the women's reports, 41 percent of the men committed another assault during the 30-month follow-up period, a 7-percent increase over the 15-month recidivism rate. Nearly two-thirds of the first repeat assaults occurred in the first 6 months. Approximately one-fifth of the men repeatedly assaulted their partners in the follow-up period and accounted for most of the reported injuries. The recidivism rate for men who attended a program for 3 months or more was significantly less than for dropouts. The recidivism rates were not significantly different across the four programs, despite differences in program length and services. 3 tables, 2 figures, and 25 references