THE ASSOCIATION HAS BEEN THE MAJOR SERVICE ORGANIZATION THAT FOCUSES ON AMERICAN FAMILIES. THE CATHOLIC CONFERENCE IN ITS REFLECTION ON THE SOCIAL CONCERNS OF THE CHURCH HAS ALWAYS HAD A MAJOR COMMITMENT TO STRENGTHENING FAMILIES. THESE TWO ORGANIZATIONS HAVE WITNESSED THE GROWTH OF THE VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT. BOTH ORGANIZATIONS SUPPORT THE ATTENTION BEING GIVEN TO THE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT THROUGH HR 2977 AND ITS PROVISION FOR SHELTERS AND COUNSELING. YET BOTH ORGANIZATIONS FEEL THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS NOT ENCOURAGED LEADERSHIP OR RESEARCH CENTRALLY FOCUSED ON FAMILIES. THEREFORE THESE ORGANIZATIONS WOULD STRONGLY URGE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELFARE (DHEW) ESTABLISH A BUREAU OF FAMILIES WHICH WOULD BE COMPARABLE TO THAT CREATED FOR CHILDREN, WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. THE OFFICE WITH ADMINISTRATIVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR A PROGRAM ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHOULD BE LOCATED WITHIN SUCH A BUREAU, AS VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES AFFECTS BOTH THE SPOUSE AND THE ENTIRE FAMILY STRUCTURE INCLUDING CHILDREN AND ELDERLY PARENTS. THE OFFICE SHOULD ENGAGE IN DATA COLLECTION AND BASIC RESEARCH TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AND THE BEST TREATMENT FOR REHABILITATING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES. ANY FUNDED PROGRAM WOULD THEN BE OBLIGED TO OFFER FAMILY COUNSELING. PREVENTION AS PROVIDED BY THE LEGISLATION, (HR 2977) SHOULD NOT ONLY REACH THE VICTIM SEEKING EMERGENCY SHELTER AND SERVICES AWAY FROM THE HOME (INTERVENTION) BUT ALSO THE VICTIM WHO RETURNS TO HIS OR HER FAMILY (PREVENTION). THE MAJORITY OF VICTIMS LEAVING A SHELTER RETURN TO THEIR FAMILIES. REHABILITATION AND ASSISTANCE TO A FAMILY IN WHICH THERE IS VIOLENCE CAN OCCUR IF SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE BEYOND THE TIME THE VICTIM IS RESIDING IN THE SHELTER. (MHP)