Testimony examined the effectiveness of Pennsylvania's 1976 Protection From Abuse Act, which provides for emergency relief for domestic violence victims that may include court orders for eviction or exclusion of the batterer from the home, temporary custody of the children, support, or injunction against further violence. Within 10 days of the filing of the petition, the respondent has the opportunity to appear and present defenses against the petition and the final relief sought. Testimony indicated that the statute has increased relief opportunities for victims, but some judges refuse to implement the law under the belief it is unconstitutional, and backlogs of cases to be heard have created delays in some jurisdictions. Testimony from shelter care administrators portrayed the services offered by such shelters and some of the problems shelter residents have in finding relief from abusive situations. Testimony from law enforcement officials indicated that while some police agencies have written policy for handling domestic violence cases as well as specific training for handling such cases, other agencies do not. Some witnesses suggested that State law mandating such policy and training is needed. Testimony was also received from judges regarding their perspectives of how domestic violence cases should be handled, as well as from prosecutors. Exhibits are included.