Wife beating is traced through history, and its persistence is shown to be rooted in women's powerless position in relation to men in patriarchal societies, along with the sexist values and attitudes that accompany this inequity. In addition to male and female role models which influence wife battering, individual characteristics of the batterer and particular circumstances triggering his violence are identified as factors. These include personal histories of violence, class and status variables, drunkenness and alcoholism, jealousy, and sexuality as aggressiveness. Reasons why victims remain in an abusive relationship are considered to be fear of the husband, the prevalent view that the woman is a failure if she can't hold her marriage and family together, and inability to be financially independent of the husband. The postures of the legal and social services systems in relation to battered wives are discussed. While these systems are viewed as having the capabilities of dealing with victims, the will to act on their behalf is deemed inhibited by a reluctance to intervene in marital conflicts or to encourage the breakup of a family. Survival tactics that can be pursued by the victim are discussed under the topics of physical fitness, mental fitness, and divorce. The chapter on remedial legislation examines gun control, British proposals for legal reform, models for social reform, legislation on employment opportunity, the equal rights amendment, and the self-negotiated marriage contract. Particular refuges for women in five States (Minnesota, Arizona, California, Pennsylvania, and Idaho) are described, and directions are given for establishing a refuge. Extensive notes accompany each chapter.