IN RESPONSE TO A NEED FOR ASSISTANCE TO BATTERED WOMEN VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA, THE WOMEN IN TRANSITION WAS FORMED IN 1972 TO ESTABLISH REFUGES FOR BATTERED WOMEN. THE HOUSE, FUNDED AND STAFFED ENTIRELY BY WOMEN, OPENED IN DECEMBER 1973. THE STAFF MEMBERS WERE CHOSEN BECAUSE OF THEIR SIMILARITY TO AND ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER TROUBLED WOMEN -- THEY WERE NOT SOCIAL WORKERS, AND HAD NO PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE WORKING IN SUCH A FACILITY. STAFF MEMBERS MAKE ARRANGEMENTS FOR MEDICAL EXAMINATIONS AND CHILD COURT PROCEEDINGS WHEN NECESSARY, AND THEY HELP THE WOMAN EXAMINE AND EVALUATE HER SITUATION AND OPTIONS. THEY ALSO SUGGEST OTHER METHODS WHICH WOMEN IN SIMILAR SITUATIONS HAVE USED TO SOLVE THEIR PROBLEMS. SINCE THE TRANSITION HOUSE IS A COOPERATIVE, THE WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO TAKE TURNS BABYSITTING, AND A DUTY ROSTER IS SET UP FOR WEEKLY CHORES. FOLLOWUP STUDIES ARE NOT POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE TRANSIENT NATURE OF THE WOMEN WHO LEAVE THE HOUSE. SINCE SOME CASES TAKE LONGER TO RESOLVE THAN THE ONE-MONTH TRANSITION PERIOD, CREATION OF A HOUSE FOR LONG-TERM RESIDENTS IS BEING CONSIDERED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (BAC)