THE PANEL DEFINED BATTERED WIVES AS THOSE WOMEN WHO RECEIVE EITHER PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL ABUSE FROM THEIR HUSBANDS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS WOMEN ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO SUFFER FROM SUCH ABUSE, AND SOCIETY HAS BEEN RELUCTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUSNESS AND EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM. THE ABUSE GENERALLY OCCURS WITHIN THE HOME, AND WOMEN OFTEN LACK THE FINANCIAL RESOURCES TO LEAVE THEIR HOMES AND ESCAPE THE ABUSIVE SITUATION. MOST BATTERED WIVES ARE ALSO MOTHERS AND MUST FACE THE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM OF HOW TO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN SHOULD THEY DECIDE TO LEAVE HOME. PANEL MEMBERS AGREE THAT MORE CRISIS CENTERS AND BATTERED SPOUSE CENTERS ARE NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND THAT RESOURCES AND PROGRAMS SHOULD BE MADE AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE WOMEN WITH ALTERNATIVES TO RETURNING TO THEIR HUSBANDS UPON LEAVING THE CENTERS. THE DISCUSSION WAS CONDUCTED BY SANDRA ELKIN. (BAC)