SIXTY PERCENT OF THE CLIENTS OF THE VICTIM WITNESS PROJECT SPONSORED BY LEAA WERE BATTERED WOMEN. SUCH AN UNEXPECTED PROBLEM WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITY PROMPTED A GROUP OF CLEVELAND WOMEN TO FORM A SMALL SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN. THIS SHELTER AND OTHERS LIKE IT, INCLUDING THE WOMEN'S HAVEN IN FORT WORTH, MUST HAVE A BROAD BASE OF SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITIES WHICH THEY SERVE. SUCH SUPPORT SHOULD INCLUDE FINANCIAL AND POLITICAL AID THAT WILL ALLOW THE SHELTER TO ASSIST WOMEN AND TO RESIST OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE. COOPERATION BETWEEN THE CLEVELAND SHELTER AND THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY RESULTED IN THE SUCCESSFUL SETTLEMENT OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THE CLEVELAND POLICE OVER THE ISSUE OF SELECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS THAT PROTECT BATTERED WOMEN. SIMILARLY, IN FORT WORTH AN ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE TO ACTIVELY GAIN THE SUPPORT OF THE POLICE TO FACILITATE THE USE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM FOR AND BY BATTERED WOMEN. CLOSE COMMUNICATION BETWEEN SHELTER ORGANIZATIONS IS ADVOCATED. A PAID STAFF IS CRUCIAL FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF A SHELTER. VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED, BUT OFTEN THEY SUFFER EMOTIONAL TRAUMAS FROM THE INTENSE WORK AT THE SHELTERS, AND PROFESSIONALS WOULD BE BETTER TRAINED TO ENDURE SUCH CONDITIONS. NO REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (TWK)