This report discusses battered women and the role of their previous victimization. After a literature review on family violence in general, these topics are discussed: (1) family violence and the patriarchy; (2) the historical background of family violence; (3) intergenerational cycle of violence; and (4) psychological literature's four ways (traditional sex-role socialization approach, provocative wife argument, learned helplessness analysis, and personal resources theory) of focusing on the battered woman to discover her role (perceived as complicity) in battering. Literature specifically addressing previous victimization of battered women is reviewed. Growth strategies for survivors and helpers are presented, beginning with the statement that there is no evidence of a unilateral cause-effect relationship between previous victimization and loving a man who batters women. Guidelines on choosing a therapist are described. A seven-page bibliography is included. (ABL)