THE COMPLEXITY OF THE FACTORS WHICH UNDERLIE VIOLENCE IS UNDERSCORED IN THIS PAPER FROM GREAT BRITAIN. THE SITUATION BECOMES STILL MORE MUDDLED WHEN ONE REALIZES THAT MOST VIOLENCE OCCURS BETWEEN FAMILY MEMBERS OR ACQUAINTANCES. THE EVENTS LEADING UP TO A CASE OF WIFE BEATING ARE GIVEN TO SHOW THE CONTRIBUTION MADE BY BOTH PARTIES TO THE ULTIMATE BATTERING. MUCH ATTENTION HAS BEEN PAID TO THE PHYSICAL RESULTS OF VIOLENCE, BUT LITTLE TO THE PSYCHOLOGICAL. THE PATHOLOGY MAY BE ACUTE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE VICTIM IS A CHILD. THE BRAIN DAMAGE, EMOTIONAL DAMAGE, AND SOCIAL DAMAGE FOUND BY VARIOUS RESEARCHERS IN THE FIELD OF CHILD ABUSE IS BRIEFLY REVIEWED. THE PERPETUAL NERVOUSNESS SEEN IN BATTERED WIVES IS CITED AS ANOTHER EXAMPLE. MOST STUDIES OF VICTIMS HAVE FOCUSED ON NATURAL DISASTERS OR WARS. EXTRAPOLATION TO PERSONAL VIOLENCE IS DIFFICULT, BUT THE STATE OF SHOCK, THE INABILITY TO FUNCTION WELL, THE NERVOUSNESS, AND FEAR REPORTED IN SUCH STUDIES CORRESPOND TO THE OBSERVATIONS OF SOCIAL WORKERS. THOSE WORKING WITH RAPE VICTIMS CONFIRM THE SEVERE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS WHICH FOLLOW THE ATTACK. MANY RECOMMEND THAT THE GOVERNMENT PROVIDE FUNDING FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL HELP FOR RAPE VICTIMS. THE FAMILY ALSO SUFFERS WHEN VIOLENCE OCCURS. THE HUSBANDS OF RAPE VICTIMS OFTEN HAVE TROUBLE ACCEPTING THEIR PARTNERS BACK. THE FAMILY OF SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN MURDERED FINDS IT HARD TO ADJUST TO THE LOSS. THIS IS OFTEN COMPLICATED BY NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS WHO SHUN THE FAMILY. THE GENERAL EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE ARE REVIEWED. IT IS POINTED OUT THAT LONDON WAS EQUALLY VIOLENT IN THE 18TH AND 19TH CENTURY, IT IS JUST THAT THE FORM OF VIOLENCE CHANGED. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)