NCJ Number
47487
Date Published
1977
Length
0 pages
Annotation
THE FILM PRESENTS INTERVIEWS WITH FOUR BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR HUSBANDS DESCRIBING THEIR EXPERIENCES AND THEIR FEELINGS ABOUT THE ABUSE AND ABOUT EACH OTHER.
Abstract
IN THESE EXCERPTS FROM INTERVIEWS, THE WOMEN AND (SEPARATELY) THEIR HUSBANDS DESCRIBE WHEN, HOW, AND WHY THE ABUSE TOOK PLACE. THEY DESCRIBE THE ACTIONS THEY HAVE TAKEN AND THEIR DEALINGS WITH THE POLICE. MOST EMPHASIZE THAT ARREST OF THE HUSBAND IS ONLY A TEMPORARY SOLUTION AND STATE THAT IT SOLVES NOTHING IN THE END. AN INTERVIEW WITH A POLICE OFFICER BRINGS OUT HOW THE POLICE WOULD GO ABOUT HANDLING A DOMESTIC PROBLEM, SEPARATING THE COUPLE AND LISTENING TO BOTH SIDES OF THE DISPUTE, AND MAKING AN ARREST IF NECESSARY. THE BASIC ROOTS OF THE PROBLEM ARE DISCUSSED; THE EIGHT SUBJECTS TALK ABOUT THEIR CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES OF VIOLENCE AND ABUSE AND ABOUT THEIR UPBRINGING. THE MEN WERE GENERALLY TAUGHT TO BE AGRESSIVE AND AUTHORITARIAN, WHILE THE WOMEN WERE SUPPOSED TO BE SUBMISSIVE. THESE TRADITIONS SHOWED THEMSELVES IN THE INDIVIDUALS' LATER BEHAVIOR. THE REACTIONS OF OTHER PEOPLE TO THE PROBLEM ARE ALSO DISCUSSED. THE WOMEN SPEAK OF THEIR LACK OF SELF-ESTEEM AND ATTEMPT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION OF WHY THEY STAYED ON TO SUFFER MORE ABUSE. FINALLY, THE ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE TO BATTERED WIVES ARE DESCRIBED, PARTICULARLY EMERGENCY SHELTERS. (VDA)