NCJ Number
58554
Journal
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF NURSING Volume: 78 Issue: 4 Dated: (APRIL 1978) Pages: 650-653
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
THE SCOPE OF WIFE BATTERING, REASONS WHY WIVES REMAIN IN A BATTERING SITUATION, IDENTIFICATION OF BATTERED WIVES, AND APPROACHES TO HELPING THEM ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH THERE ARE NO VALID STATISTICS DELINEATING THE EXTENT OF WIFE BATTERING, SOME RESEARCHERS ESTIMATE THAT THERE ARE OVER A MILLION WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES WHO ARE BATTERED WIVES; OTHERS THINK THIS IS A CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE. ACCORDING TO AVAILABLE INFORMATION, WIFE BATTERING CUTS ACROSS ALL SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LEVELS. MANY BATTERED WOMEN REMAIN IN THE ABUSIVE SITUATION BECAUSE THEY ARE AFRAID TO CHALLENGE THE AUTHORITY OR CONTROL OF THEIR HUSBANDS. SOME FEAR THE LOSS OF IDENTITY OR A SENSE OF GUILT OR FAILURE THAT MAY FOLLOW FROM INITIATIVES TO DISRUPT THE MARRIAGE AND FAMILY. FEAR OF ECONOMIC INSECURITY, PARTICULARLY FOR HOUSEWIVES, IS ANOTHER REASON MANY BATTERED WIVES DO NOT LEAVE THEIR HUSBANDS. FOR PERSONS WHO TREAT THE PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL TRAUMAS OF THE BATTERED WIFE, IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SYMPTOMS, BECAUSE MOST VICTIMS ARE RELUCTANT TO REPORT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THEM. PHYSICAL SYMPTOMS SUCH AS BRUISES, LACERATIONS, OR BROKEN BONES SHOULD ALERT AN EXAMINER TO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE WOMAN HAS BEEN BEATEN. A DIRECT QUESTIONING OF THE VICTIM ABOUT WHETHER HER HUSBAND HAS BEATEN HER MAY BE SUFFICIENT TO ENCOURAGE HER TO SEEK HELP. IN COUNSELING A VICTIM, IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO ASSUME EITHER A CONTROLLING ROLE BY ENCOURAGING HER TO TAKE SPECIFIC ACTION, OR A MORALISTIC ROLE IN SCOLDING HER FOR NOT HAVING LEFT HER HUSBAND. AN ATTEMPT SHOULD BE MADE TO PROBE INTO THE PERCEPTIONS AND EMOTIONS UNIQUE TO THE SITUATION AND TO ASSIST THE WOMAN IN EXAMINING ALTERNATIVES THAT COME TO HER MIND. INFORMATION SHOULD BE PROVIDED ON RESOURCES, AND ASSISTANCE SHOULD BE OFFERED IN CONTACTING THOSE RESOURCES. ON THE LEGAL LEVEL, EFFORTS SHOULD BE MADE TO INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD MAKE WIFE BATTERING A CRIME, AS BATTERED WOMEN MUST HAVE LEGAL OPTIONS. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (RCB)