A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF ATTITUDES TOWARD VIOLENCE IN THE FAMILY EXPLAINS THE TRADITIONAL RELUCTANCE OF THE LAW TO INTERFERE IN PRIVATE, FAMILIAL MATTERS. PENNSYLVANIA IS THE FIRST STATE TO LEGISLATE AGAINST FAMILIAL VIOLENCE ON CRIMINAL TERMS, THEREBY ASSIGNING TO POLICE THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEALING WITH THIS PHENOMENON. STATISTICAL EVALUATIONS OF THE PROBLEM ARE INCOMPLETE, BUT THEY DO INDICATE THAT DOMESTIC DISTURBANCES ARE LIKELY TO ESCALATE INTO MORE SERIOUS DOMESTIC ASSAULT, EVEN MURDER OF SPOUSE. POSSIBLY 40 PERCENT OF POLICE INJURIES ARE INCURRED IN RESPONSE TO SUCH DISTURBANCES. FAMILY TROUBLE IS CHARACTERISTIC OF ALL CLASSES OF SOCIETY; THE VICTIM MAY BE THE HUSBAND OR THE WIFE; USE OF ALCOHOL IS FREQUENTLY INVOLVED. THE MAJORITY OF BATTERED SPOUSES TEND TO REMAIN IN THE FAMILY SITUATION. REASONS FOR THIS ARE POORLY UNDERSTOOD, BUT ECONOMIC HARDSHIP, A POOR SELF-IMAGE, INADEQUATE TRAINING, AND SELF-RELIANCE OF THE WIFE ARE SIGNIFICANT FACTORS. RELUCTANCE TO INVOLVE THE POLICE IN FAMILY MATTERS IS TWO-SIDED. THE VICTIM FEARS FURTHER BEATING AS REPRISAL, AND THE POLICE DISLIKE INTERFERING IN PRIVATE MATTERS. ARREST AVOIDANCE, HOWEVER, MAY RESULT IN TRAGEDY, AND SO POLICE MUST IMPROVE THEIR TECHNIQUES FOR GAINING CONTROL, AVOIDING VIOLENCE, AND PREVENTING RECURRING CALLS IN DOMESTIC SITUATIONS THROUGH CRISIS INTERVENTION TRAINING. POLICE OPTIONS ARE ARREST, MEDIATION, AND REFERRAL. ARREST WITHOUT ACCOMPANYING POSITIVE ACTIONS HAS LITTLE BENEFICIAL EFFECT. OFFICERS SHOULD BE INFORMED OF COMMUNITY SHELTERS FOR BATTERED SPOUSES AND CHILDREN AND SHOULD UTILIZE THIS EFFECTIVE COMMUNITY SERVICE. OFFICERS' NEUTRALITY IS RECOMMENDED AS THE APPROPRIATE STANCE AND NEGOTIATED ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE AGREEABLE TO BOTH SPOUSES. INCREASED COOPERATION BETWEEN POLICE AND THE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES IS RECOMMENDED. FOOTNOTES ARE INCLUDED. THE PENNSYLVANIA PROTECTION FROM ABUSE ACT, ANALYSIS OF ITS PROVISIONS, AND A NEW YORK POLICE DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS ORDER ARE APPENDED, AS WELL AS INFORMATION ON THE REFERRAL NETWORK. (MRK)