One of the more important social-psychological studies (Lewin et al., 1939) concerning small group violence concludes that in small groups where power imbalances exist, the probability of aggression is much higher than in groups where power is more equitably distributed. Straus (1973, 1976) found that male violence in a heterosexual relationship is greatest when a man lives with a woman who has almost complete control over him. With couples whose power is distributed equally, male violence is least. A Stark and McEvoy (1970) survey on attitudes toward domestic violence showed that 25 percent of North American males felt the use of physical reprimand against wives acceptable. Studies of female violence against males show little evidence of females initiating violence against males. Female violence against the male in a relationship is generally an explosive reaction to the abuse perpetrated by the male. Studies have shown such reluctance among third parties and public agencies to intervene in domestic conflicts, that the cycle of domestic violence is allowed to escalate until one the the parties is killed by the other. Strategies of intervention by police and social service agencies must be developed which will effectively terminate the cycle of violence by facilitating the rehabilitation of the relationship or making it possible for the victim to depart from the relationship by providing social and economic services. Fourteen references are provided. For related documents, see NCJ 70361-64 and 70366-77.