THE 40 BATTERED WOMEN RESPONDED TO 53 QUESTIONS CONCERNING MARITAL VIOLENCE, EMPLOYMENT, AGE, EDUCATION, AND FAMILY BACKGROUND. THE WOMEN HAD RESPONDED TO A CLASSIFIED ADVERTISEMENT IN 'MS.' MAGAZINE, AND THEREFORE CORRESPONDED TO THE RELATIVELY YOUNG, LIBERAL, WELL-EDUCATED, MORE FREQUENTLY EMPLOYED READERSHIP OF THAT MAGAZINE. STATISTICS WERE COMPILED FOR GROUPS OR AGENTS WOMEN CONTACTED REGARDING THEIR DURING THEIR MARRIAGE, COVERING MANY TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT AND LEVEL OF VIOLENCE EXPERIENCED BY THE WIFE, AND HUSBAND'S JOB SATISFACTION AND CONFLICT OVER SEX ROLE EXPECTATIONS. EXPERIENCES RELATING TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF HELP SOUGHT BY THE WOMEN ARE RECOUNTED: MANY UNPLEASANT OR NEGATIVE EXPERIENCES WERE REPORTED WHEN WOMEN CONTACTED SOMEONE OUTSIDE THE FAMILY FOR ASSISTANCE. GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE CAUSES OF MARITAL VIOLENCE AND ITS EFFECT ON WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN IS CALLED FOR, AND IT IS POINTED OUT THAT RESEARCH ON THE PSYCHOSOCIAL ASPECTS OF WIFE ABUSE CAN BE HELPFUL, PARTICULARLY WHEN COMBINED WITH A CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF LEGISLATURES, COURTS, POLICE AND SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY THAT HAVE AIDED IN KEEPING WOMEN TRAPPED IN THEIR MARRIAGES. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAS)