22 of 117 battered wives seeking emergency care were found to have made 82 suicide attempts during a 16 year study period. This corresponds to an incidence more than 8 times that of a control group of women selected through the population register. Reasons for attempts included conflict with the husband & mental disorders of the women. It is recommended that doctors should always consider the possibility of ongoing physical abuse when confronted with a patient who has attempted suicide. (19refs)