THE OVERVIEW POINTS UP THE EXTENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE NATIONWIDE, WITH REFERENCE TO BOTH CHILD ABUSE AND SPOUSE BATTERING. MYTHS ABOUT THE BATTERED WOMAN -- THAT SHE ENJOYS BEING BEATEN, THAT SHE WOULD NOT BE BEATEN WERE SHE A BETTER WIFE, THAT A MAN MAY DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY TO KEEP HIS WIFE IN LINE, THAT THE PROBLEM IS LIMITED TO LOWER CLASS FAMILIES -- ARE DISCUSSED. MILWAUKEE COUNTY'S ATTEMPT TO INVOLVE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN EFFORTS TO COUNTER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS DESCRIBED. THE PROGRAM, OPERATED BY THE MILWAUKEE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH THE COOPERATION OF SUPPORT GROUPS, EMPHASIZED ENCOURAGING BATTERED WOMEN TO CONSIDER THEIR ALTERNATIVES. THE NEED FOR PATROL OFFICERS TO BE SENSITIZED TO THE PROBLEM OF WIFE BEATING IS POINTED OUT. SAN DIEGO COUNTY'S EFFORTS TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM OF BATTERED WOMEN ARE DESCRIBED, INCLUDING COMMUNITY SUPPORT PROGRAMS TO AID BATTERED WOMEN, A TASK FORCE CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEMS OF THE BATTERER, AND A COALITION OF AGENCIES CONCERNED WITH BATTERED WOMEN. THE GOALS SET FORTH BY THE COALITION ARE NOTED, AS ARE THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NETWORK OF SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THE INCREASINGLY ACTIVE ROLE OF THE LOCAL JUDICIARY IN THE AREA OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. A DIRECTORY OF RESOURCES FOR BATTERED WOMEN IN SAN DIEGO IS INCLUDED. (LKM)