BATTERED WOMEN - ISSUES OF PUBLIC POLICY

• NCJ Number: 53356
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 717 pages
• Corporate Author: US Cmssn on Civil Rights
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; US Cmssn on Civil Rights
• Publication Type: Conference Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: CONSULTATION SPONSORED BY THE UNITED STATES COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS, WASHINGTON, D C, JANUARY 30-31, 1978

Annotation

PROCEEDINGS OF A CONSULTATION ON BATTERED WOMEN SPONSORED BY THE U.S. COMMISSION ON CIVIL RIGHTS ARE PRESENTED. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDED EXPERTS IN LAW, LAW ENFORCEMENT, PSYCHOLOGY, SOCIOLOGY, AND SUPPORT SERVICES FOR WOMEN.

Abstract

THE OBJECTIVES OF THE CONSULTATION ARE TO IDENTIFY SOUND, EXISTING RESEARCH DATA ON WIFE ABUSE, RESEARCH GAPS, AND RESEARCH STRATEGIES. THE COMMISSION HOPED TO IDENTIFY NECESSARY STATE LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT REFORMS FOR ASSISTING BATTERED WOMEN, NEEDED SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT SERVICES, AND THE PROPER FEDERAL ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT LEGAL REFORMS AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THE CONSULTATION WAS ALSO INTENDED TO FACILITATE COMMUNICATION AMONG RESEARCHERS, ACTIVISTS, POLICYMAKERS, AND OTHER PERSONS INTERESTED IN THE ISSUE. THE CONSULTATION TOPICS ARE BROADLY DEFINED TO INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND JUSTICE, SUPPORT SERVICES, CAUSES AND TREATMENT OF WIFE ABUSE, AND THE FEDERAL ROLE. PAPERS ADDRESS SUCH ISSUES AS VARIOUS POLICE DEPARTMENTS' POLICIES OF NONARREST AND NONINTERVENTION IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM'S 'CAVALIER' TREATMENT OF BATTERED WOMEN (I.E., THE LOCAL COURT WILL OFTEN REFUSE TO GRANT RESTRAINING ORDERS AND THE POLICE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO KEEP THE HUSBAND IN CUSTODY), THE DEBATE OVER WHETHER INTRAFAMILY VIOLENCE IS A CIVIL OR A CRIMINAL MATTER AND THE LEGAL SYSTEM'S FAILURE TO PROTECT BATTERED WIVES FROM ILLEGAL ATTACKS BY THEIR HUSBANDS OR TO PROVIDE THE VICTIMS WITH DUE PROCESS OF LAW. SEVERAL PARTICIPANTS DISCUSSED THE CAUSES OF ABUSE RANGING FROM THE INFLUENCE OF SEX-ROLE STEREOTYPES TO THE EFFECTS OF SPOUSES' CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES ON THEIR ADULT FAMILY LIFE. MEASURES FOR AIDING BATTERED WIVES INCLUDE PROVISION OF SHORT-TERM SERVICES AND LONG-TERM SUPPORT SERVICES, DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC-VIOLENCE-INTERVENTION TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR POLICE, AND INTRODUCTION OF ALTERNATIVE POLICE DIVERSION PROGRAMS FOR ABUSIVE HUSBANDS. THE PAPERS ARE PROVIDED IN FULL AND THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN LISTS OF RESOURCES FOR AND ON BATTERED WOMEN, STATE STATUTES CONCERNING WIFE ABUSE, AND FEDERAL LEGISLATION. (DAG)