The main concern of the conference was with the forms intervention programs should take. The conference placed major emphasis on examining methods and techniques to help men who batter stop their violent behavior but also addressed such areas as assessing the problems of batterers, training staff who work with batterers, and evaluating intervention programs. A discussion of spouse abuse notes that the problem is widespread and that the justice system can play a crucial role in helping women extricate themselves from violent relationships. Also examined are the role of alcohol in abusive behavior and characteristics of men who batter. Among the most prevalent characteristics of batterers is their tendency to minimize or deny the seriousness of their violent behavior. In addition, they often externalize their problems, are jealous, verbally aggressive, impulsive, self-deprecatory, and cannot sustain, express, or accept intimacy consistently. Conference participants agreed that the primary goal of intervention programs must be to stop the abuse. Some intervention techniques include behavior modification, cognitive restructuring, biofeedback techniques, stress reduction techniques, communication skills training, and aggressive ventilation therapy (not recommended). The type of format used in assisting men who batter and their families depends upon the severity of the situation, the specific needs of the individuals involved, and the theoretical preferences of the practitioner. Options available are individual, group, or family-centered formats in either residential or nonresidential settings. LEAA should develop a technical assistance network for service providers, conduct research on the effectiveness of various intervention strategies, provide continued funding, and produce audiovisual materials and training packages. Local justice agencies should conduct public awareness campaigns which make clear that spouse abuse is against the law, ensure that laws governing spouse abuse are enforced, support victims who bring charges against the batterer by developing victim advocacy programs, and provide training for police and other officials. The report has 14 footnotes and 31 references.