NCJ Number
68915
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THIS FILM DOCUMENTS THE SOCIAL PHENOMENON OF HUSBANDS BEATING THEIR WIVES, SHOWING HOW LOVING RELATIONSHIPS CAN DETERIORATE UNDER PRESSURE UNTIL WELLINTENTIONED MEN RESORT TO PHYSICAL VIOLENCE.
Abstract
THE TARGET AUDIENCE CONSISTS OF JUNIOR AND SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLS, COLLEGE CLASSES, PROFESSIONALS IN MARRIAGE AND FAMILY COUNSELING, POLICE OFFICERS AND CIVILIANS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, CLERGY, LAWYERS, PHYSICIANS AND NURSES, SOCIAL AND MEDICAL WORKERS IN HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOMS, AND THE GENERAL ADULT PUBLIC. THE MOVIE FOLLOWS THE STORIES OF THREE FAMILIES FROM DIFFERENT SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS WITH THE COMMON TIE THAT EACH HUSBAND BEATS HIS WIFE. AN ALCOHOLIC HUSBAND OF AN OLDER LOWER MIDDLE CLASS WHITE COUPLE EVENTUALLY BEATS HIS WIFE TO DEATH. THE WIFE'S DAUGHTER HAS A WIFE-BEATING HUSBAND ALSO, AND THE DAUGHTER'S REAL FATHER ALSO USED TO BEAT HER MOTHER. THE WIFE THAT DIED IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE FOUR IN THE MOVIE WHO WOULD FIGHT BACK. A SECOND FAMILY IS BLACK AND POOR WITH TWO YOUNG CHILDREN AND A THIRD EXPECTED. THE HUSBAND IS ALSO AN ALCOHOLIC, AND AFTER SEVERAL BEATINGS THE WIFE GOES TO A REFUGE FOR BATTERED WIVES AND THEIR CHILDREN. THE HUSBAND GOES TO ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, AND IN THE END, THE COUPLE TRIES TO WORK OUT THEIR RELATIONSHIP. THE THIRD COUPLE IS WHITE AND THE HUSBAND IS A SUCCESSFUL LAWYER. SHE IS GOING THROUGH MANY CHANGES AND HE IS TAKING ON NEW RESPONSIBILITIES. AFTER 10 YEARS OF MARRIAGE WITH ONE CHILD, HE BEGINS BEATING HER. HE REFUSES THERAPY, BUT SHE GOES TO A THERAPIST AND ENDS UP AT THE SAME REFUGE HOUSE AS THE PREGNANT BLACK WIFE. FINALLY, SHE DECIDES THAT THEY CANNOT MAKE THEIR MARRIAGE WORK AND SEEKS A DIVORCE. THE FILM DOCUMENTS THE FEAR TO REPORT THESE CRIMES, THE INABILITY OF THE POLICE TO PROTECT VICTIMS, AND THE ECONOMIC PROBLEMS OF WOMEN WHOSE HUSBANDS SUPPORT THEM.