HISTORICALLY WIFE BEATING HAS BEEN VIEWED AS A PRIVATE PROBLEM AND TRADITIONAL SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES HAVE VIEWED IT AS A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM. OFTEN IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE BEATING SATISFIES A MACHOCHISTIC NEED OF THE WIFE. THE FACT THAT WIFE BEATING IS A SERIOUS CRIME IS SHOWN BY FIGURES FROM KANSAS CITY: 40 PERCENT OF HOMICIDES IN 1971-1972 WERE SPOUSE KILLING SPOUSE AND IN 85 PERCENT TO THESE CASES POLICE HAD BEEN SUMMONED AT LEAST ONCE BEFORE THE MURDER OCCURRED. IN 50 PERCENT OF CASES THE POLICE HAD BEEN SUMMONED FIVE OR MORE TIMES IN A 2-YEAR PERIOD. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT SOCIAL SERVICES WORKERS DROP OUTMODED STEREOTYPED VIEWS OF MARRIAGE AND REALIZE THAT THE WIFE DOES NOT 'ENJOY' BEATING. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT POLICE TREAT WIFE BEATING JUST AS THEY WOULD ANY OTHER ASSAULT. POLICE MANUALS WHICH URGE THE PATROL OFFICER TO MEDIATE ARE CITED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT IN NO OTHER CRIME IS THE VICTIM URGED TO MEDIATE WITH THE ATTACKER. IT IS ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM LABEL ASSAULTS AND HOMICIDES WHICH OCCUR DURING DOMESTIC DISPUTES SO THAT A BETTER PICTURE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CAN BE OBTAINED. THE EFFECT ON CHILDREN IS EXAMINED. FIGURES SHOW AT LEAST 40 PERCENT OF SUCH CASES OCCUR AROUND SMALL CHILDREN. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT WHEN POLICE TAKE THE VIOLENCE LIGHTLY THE EFFECT IS NOT LOST ON THESE CHILDREN AND VIOLENCE BECOMES ACCEPTED. SHELTERS AND SOCIAL SERVICES FOR BEATEN WIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE URGED. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS APPENDED. (GLR)