THE FIRST SECTION PRESENTS SEVERAL CASE HISTORIES OF BATTERED WOMEN DESCRIBING THEIR PERCEPTIONS OF THEIR DOMESTIC SITUATIONS OF THEIR ABUSIVE HUSBANDS, AND THE RELATIONSHIP OF ALCOHOL TO THE ABUSE PATTERNS. THE SECOND SECTION INVESTIGATES THE CONTEXT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A PSYCHOLOGIST WHO SURVEYS LITERATURE ON CHILD ABUSE, A CRIMINOLOGIST WHO EXAMINES THE STATISTICAL EVIDENCE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE IN ENGLAND, WALES, AND SCOTLAND, AND A SOCIOLOGIST WHO RELATES FAMILY VIOLENCE TO VARIOUS SOCIAL THEORIES SUCH AS FUNCTIONALISM, STRAUS'S BEHAVIORALISM, AND RADICAL, FEMINIST, AND MARXIST IDEAS OF SUBORDINATION OF CHILDREN AND WOMEN IN THE FAMILY. A HISTORICAL DISCUSSION OF FAMILY VIOLENCE IN BRITAIN, THE U.S., AND SOME MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRIES IS PRESENTED FOR COMPARATIVE STUDY. THE FINAL SECTION REVIEWS SOCIAL RESPONSES TO FAMILY VIOLENCE. IT DISCUSSES WHAT FAMILY SERVICE ORGANIZATION IS NEEDED, HOW IT MIGHT BE ESTABLISHED, AND IN WHAT WAYS SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES CAN AID AND PROTECT CHILDREN IN PUBLIC CARE, WOMEN IN REFUGE CENTERS, AND ABUSIVE MEN IN NEED OF REHABILITATION. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LEGAL ISSUES ARE ADDRESSED. AN INDEX TO THE TEXT IS PROVIDED AND REFERENCES ARE PRESENTED FOLLOWING INDIVIDUAL PAPERS. (DAG)