NCJ Number
129352
Journal
Forensic Reports Volume: 2 Issue: 3 Dated: (1989) Pages: 173-186
Date Published
1989
Length
14 pages
Annotation
Lay and professional knowledge pertaining to the battered woman syndrome was assessed in order to determine whether expert testimony is needed in cases involving battered women.
Abstract
Participants in the study included 91 prospective jurors (registered voters sampled at the Miami International Airport), 27 public defenders, 23 State attorneys from the Metro Dade Justice Building in Miami, 30 Safestreets officers, and 64 police officers from Miami Beach Police Department. The multiple-choice questionnaire determined knowledge about reasons for which battered women file charges against abusers, typical police response, percent of arrests of spouse or girlfriend abusers, and reasons battered women stay in their abusive relationship as well as causes of domestic violence and its cyclic nature, worst forms of abuse, and the psychological characteristics of battered women. Results show that all groups lacked basic knowledge about the battered woman syndrome. The attorney group performed better than the other two groups. 2 tables and 25 references (Author abstract modified)