NCJ Number
101805
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 1 Issue: 1 Dated: (March 1986) Pages: 25-42
Date Published
1986
Length
18 pages
Annotation
Attitudes toward women and woman abuse and police response were examined in a questionnaire study of 3 Wisconsin samples: 116 officers in 3 city and 7 small town police departments, 62 counselor-advocates at 5 battered women's shelters, and 52 abused women in shelter or family counseling programs.
Abstract
The three samples did not differ significantly in their attitudes toward marital violence in general or as a response to verbal aggression. However, police were more accepting of violence as a response to marital infidelity. Officers and victims viewed abuse as more normal than did advocates. While officers generally agreed that women did not cause or enjoy the abuse, they did not agree with these beliefs to as large an extent as did victims and advocates. There was some evidence that police beliefs in victim crime precipitation stemmed from traditional views of women's roles. Most officers viewed the abuse as criminal, but in contrast to victims, very few thought that arrest was the best police response. Police and victims, generally, cited both economic and psychological-emotional factors as contributing to the maintenance of the battering relationship, while advocates tended to emphasize economic reasons. Finally, victims' attitudes toward police and police response were more positive than were those of advocates. Implications for training and improving police-advocate relationships are discussed. 49 references.