THE ARTICLE IN QUESTION WAS BASED ON A NATIONAL SURVEY WHICH FOUND THAT, IN MOST OF THE CATEGORIES INVESTIGATED, WOMEN ENGAGED IN SLIGHTLY MORE VIOLENCE THAN DID THEIR HUSBANDS. THE ALLEGATION THAT THE ARTICLE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DENIAL OF FUNDING FOR A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN IS REFUTED. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE SHELTER PROPOSAL WAS TURNED DOWN FOR OTHER REASONS, AND THAT THOSE WHO FAVORED THE PROPOSAL USED THE ARTICLE AS A SCAPEGOAT. IT IS FURTHER SUGGESTED THAT PROVIDING A BALANCED VIEW OF THE SPOUSE ABUSE PROBLEM HAS BEEN AN ASSET IN OTHER EFFORTS TO SECURE FUNDS FOR SHELTERS. CHARGES OF DELIBERATE STATISTICAL BIASING ARE ALSO REFUTED. ADDITIONAL SUPPORT IS OFFERED FOR THE ARTICLE'S OBSERVATION THAT WOMEN VOICE COMPLAINTS MORE EASILY THAN MEN. IN RESPONSE TO OTHER POINTS BROUGHT UP BY THE CRITICS, IT IS NOTED THAT MALE VICTIMS OF BATTERING ARE LESS LIKELY TO SHOW UP IN SAMPLES TAKEN FROM SHELTERS, CRISIS CENTERS, AND COMMUNITY LEGAL SERVICES THAN IN SAMPLES DRAWN FROM EMERGENCY ROOM AND POLICE RECORDS. IT IS EMPHASIZED THAT THE ARTICLE NEITHER PURPORTED TO BE A SYSTEMATIC INVESTIGATION OF HUSBAND BEATING NOR ATTEMPTED TO DEEMPHASIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF SERVICES FOR BEATEN WIVES. THE NEED TO INVESTIGATE THE PHENOMENON OF BATTERING IN ALL ITS MANIFESTATIONS IS STRESSED. SEE NCJ-53085 FOR THE COMMENTS TO WHICH THE AUTHOR IS REPLYING. (LKM)