INTERVIEW DATA INDICATE THAT WIFE BEATING IS A FAIRLY COMMON OCCURRENCE, WITH VICTIMS COMING FROM BOTH WHITE-COLLAR AND BLUE-COLLAR FAMILIES THROUGHOUT AMERICAN SOCIETY. WIFE BEATING REMAINS A LARGELY HIDDEN CRIME BECAUSE IT USUALLY OCCURS IN THE PRIVACY OF THE HOME AND BECAUSE VICTIMS ARE GENERALLY RELUCTANT TO BRING CHARGES AGAINST THEIR HUSBANDS. REASONS FOR VICTIMS' REFUSAL TO BRING ACTION INCLUDE FEAR OF REPRISAL, IGNORANCE OF AVAILABLE OPTIONS, OR LACK OF SUCH OPTIONS AS CRISIS SHELTERS, RELATIVES, OR AN INCOME UPON WHICH THEY CAN FALL BACK SHOULD THEY DECIDE TO MOVE OUT OF THE ABUSE SITUATION. FEW JURISDICTIONS KEEP COMPREHENSIVE RECORDS ON THE NUMBERS OF ABUSE CASES IN A GIVEN COMMUNITY, ALTHOUGH SEVERAL AREAS--MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD., ST. LOUIS, MO., WASHINGTON, D.C., AND ST. PAUL, MINN.--HAVE DEVELOPED APPROACHES DESIGNED TO EASE THE PROBLEMS ABUSED WIVES FACE. THESE MEASURES RANGE FROM KEEPING ACCURATE STATISTICS ON REPORTED WIFE BEATINGS AND SPECIAL TRAINING FOR POLICE OFFICERS IN HANDLING FAMILY DISTURBANCES TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CIVIL COMPLAINT CENTER WHERE AN ABUSED WIFE CAN APPLY FOR A RESTRAINING ORDER AND A WOMEN'S REFERRAL CENTER PROVIDING SHELTER CARE FOR THOSE VICTIMS CHOOSING TO FLEE THEIR HOMES. (KBL)