THE CONFERENCE WAS INITIATED AT THE REQUEST OF THE CENTER FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY, THE FIRST NEW YORK STATE FUNDED CRISIS SHELTER, IN AN EFFORT TO BREAK GROUND FOR A COMPREHENSIVE NATIONAL APPROACH TO VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY. THE CENTER REQUESTED THAT REPRESENTATIVES OF THE FOLLOWING GROUPS PARTICIPATE IN THIS CENTRALIZED EFFORT: PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIRECTLY EXPERIENCED VIOLENCE, SPECIFICALLY, BATTERED WOMEN; INDIVIDUALS FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO ARE WORKING TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF DEVELOPING SHELTERS, LEGISLATION, AND SOCIAL ACTION; FEDERAL AND PRIVATE AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES WHO ARE RESPONDING TO THE ISSUE OF INTRAFAMILY VIOLENCE; AND POLITICAL LEADERS FROM LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS WORKING TOWARD ENACTING LEGISLATION IN THE AREA OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. IN JULY 1977, 55 PEOPLE ASSEMBLED AT THE WHITE HOUSE, REPRESENTING THEMSELVES AND SUCH DEPARTMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS AS: WOMEN'S ADVOCATES, INC.; THE CAMBRIDGE WOMEN'S CENTER; THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LEGAL DEFENSE AND EDUCATION FUND; THE TASK FORCE ON ABUSED WOMEN OF THE WOMEN'S LEGAL DEFENSE FUND; THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE; THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE; THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR; ACTION; AND LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION. THE CONFERENCE PARTICIPANTS GENERATED A VARIETY OF RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROPOSALS REGARDING SOCIAL SERVICE OBJECTIVES AND FUNDING, LEGISLATION, PUBLIC EDUCATION, AND THE URGENT NEED FOR SHELTER FACILITIES FOR BATTERED AND ABUSED WIVES AND CHILDREN. RECOMMENDATIONS AND PROPOSALS RELATING TO THE PURVIEW OF INDIVIDUAL GROUPS AND AGENCIES ARE PROVIDED. IN ADDITION, REPORTS FROM VARIOUS FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE APPENDED, INCLUDING MATERIAL FROM THE LEAA, THE OFFICE OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, THE NATIONAL CENTER ON CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT, THE CENTER FOR STUDIES OF CHILD AND FAMILY MENTAL HEALTH, THE COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS, AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES ADMINISTRATION. REPRINTS OF SELECTED JOURNAL ARTICLES ARE PROVIDED, AS ARE COPIES OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION. THE TITLES AND SOURCES OF RECOMMENDED FAMILY VIOLENCE BIBLIOGRAPHIES ARE ALSO PROVIDED. (KBL)