NCJ Number
59133
Date Published
1978
Length
0 pages
Annotation
VARIOUS WOMEN ON THIS RADIO PROGRAM DISCUSS THE PROBLEMS OF BATTERED WOMEN IN THE U.S.; THEY POINT OUT THAT THIS ABUSE OCCURS IN ALL CLASSES--POOR AND RICH, BLACK AND WHITE--AND IN URBAN AND RURAL LOCATIONS.
Abstract
SEVERAL REASONS ARE CITED FOR THE PREVALENCE OF WIFE ABUSE IN OUR SOCIETY. MEN WHO ABUSE THEIR WIVES OR GIRL FRIENDS FEEL THAT THEY OWN THE WOMEN--THEIR WOMEN (AND CHILDREN) ARE THEIR PROPERTY. ALSO, MANY MEN VIEW WOMEN AS A GROUP AS DEPENDENT AND CHILDLIKE. THE BATTERING IS AN ATTEMPT TO KEEP THE WOMAN IN HER TRADITIONAL 'PLACE.' A WOMAN WHO IS ASSAULTED ON THE STREET BY A STRANGER OFTEN RECEIVES MORE SYMPATHY AND HELP FROM THE POLICE THAN AN ABUSED WOMAN WHO CALLS THE POLICE AFTER AN ATTACK IN HER HOME BY HER HUSBAND OR BOYFRIEND. USUALLY THE POLICE WILL WALK THE MAN AROUND THE BLOCK TO 'COOL' HIM OFF AND TELL THE WOMAN THAT SHE CAN COME TO THE POLICE STATION THE NEXT MORNING IF SHE STILL WANTS TO FILE CHARGES. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS GIVES THE WOMAN NO PROTECTION AT THE TIME SHE NEEDS IT MOST. IN MOST STATES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET A DIVORCE ON THE BASIS OF ABUSE. THE WOMAN MUST HAVE EVIDENCE, PROOF, AND WITNESSES THAT THE ABUSE HAS TAKEN PLACE OVER A SUSTAINED PERIOD. SEVERAL REASONS ARE CITED CONCERNING THE QUESTION OF WHY THESE BATTERED WOMEN DO NOT LEAVE ON THEIR OWN. MANY OF THE WOMEN CANNOT SURVIVE ECONOMICALLY ON THEIR OWN AND DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THEIR HUSBAND'S MONEY. THEY ARE OFTEN AFRAID OF RETALIATION FROM THE HUSBAND IF THEY DO LEAVE, OR THEY WANT TO BELIEVE THEIR HUSBANDS' APOLOGIES THAT THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT IS THE LAST--THAT THE ABUSER REALLY DID NOT KNOW WHAT HE WAS DOING (DUE TO ALCOHOL, ETC.). FOR SOME WOMEN, THE SOCIAL STIGMA OF ADMITTING THEY ARE BATTERED BY THEIR HUSBANDS IS WORSE THAN THE ATTACK--THEY FEEL THAT IF THE MARRIAGE FAILS, IT IS THEIR FAULT. SEVERAL CASE HISTORIES ARE RELATED BY THE WOMEN THEMSELVES. THE CREATION OF SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WOMEN IN MANY COMMUNITIES HAS GIVEN THESE WOMEN, AND THEIR CHILDREN, A PLACE TO ESCAPE THE TRAUMA OF THEIR LIVES AND TO BEGIN MAKING LONG-RANGE PLANS TO CHANGE THEIR LIVES. A MAILING ADDRESS IS GIVEN FOR OBTAINING A DIRECTORY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND GROUPS INVOLVED WITH HELPING BATTERED WOMEN. (PRG)