THE LEGAL SYSTEM FAILS TO PROTECT BATTERED WIVES FROM ILLEGAL ATTACKS BY THEIR HUSBANDS. IT IS ASSUMED THAT THE BATTERED WIFE IS THE GUILTY PARTY, WHO HAS PROVOKED, DESERVED AND WANTED THE BEATING. HAVING NO RECOURSE UNDER THE LAW, THE BATTERED WIFE IS FORCED TO FLEE AND HIDE FOR HER SAFETY, AND IN SO DOING SHE IS DEPRIVED OF HER LIBERTY AND PROPERTY WITHOUT DUE PROCESS OF LAW. BATTERED WOMEN ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND JUDGES. THE POLICE PREVENTION FUNCTION, WITH REGARD TO BATTERING, HAS NOT BEEN DEVELOPED DESPITE THE FACT THAT DOMESTIC DISPUTES HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO BE THE PRELUDE TO MOST SPOUSE MURDERS AND SERIOUS ASSAULTS. ANALYSIS OF SPOUSE MURDERS SHOWS THAT WIVES TEND TO KILL HUSBANDS WHO HAVE A HISTORY OF BEATING THEM, ALTHOUGH HUSBANDS KILL WIVES WITHOUT PROVOCATION. SOCIETY HAS AN OBLIGATION TO MAKE THIS TYPE OF MURDER UNNECESSARY BY PROVIDING ALTERNATIVES OF ESCAPE TO BATTERED WOMEN. MEANINGFUL RESPONSES WILL SAVE THE LIVES OF WOMEN AND MEN. ONE OF THE MAJOR OBSTACLES TO ENDING VIOLENT RELATIONSHIPS IS THE INABILITY TO OBTAIN PROMPT COURT DETERMINATION OF ALIMONY AND CHILD SUPPORT RIGHTS AND TO EFFECTIVELY ENFORCE COURT-ORDERED SUPPORT AND ALIMONY. FINALLY, THE MOST IMPORTANT AID TO BATTERED WIVES IS A SHELTER WHERE THEY CAN SAFELY STAY WITH THEIR CHILDREN. STUDY IS NEEDED TO LEARN ALTERNATIVE METHODS OF SHELTER FINANCING AND OPERATION. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP).