NCJ Number
45268
Date Published
1977
Length
20 pages
Annotation
DATA ON 150 WOMEN WHO CALLED THE ABUSED WOMEN'S AID IN CRISIS (AWAIC) HOTLINE IN NEW YORK CITY WITHIN A 1-YEAR PERIOD ARE ANALYZED AND MARITAL RELATIONSHIPS, ATTEMPTS TO FIND HELP, AND CAUSAL FACTORS ARE NOTED.
Abstract
THE SAMPLE, CHOSEN AT RANDOM FROM AMONG 1000 AWAIC CASES, INCLUDED COMMON-LAW TYPE HOUSEHOLD RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS TRADITIONAL MARRIAGES. DATA WERE DERIVED FROM THE AWAIC HOTLINE INTAKE QUESTIONNAIRE AND FROM ONSITE, IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS WITH THE WOMEN WHO CALLED SEEKING HELP AND INFORMATION. FACTORS EXAMINED INCLUDED: TYPE OF RELATIONSHIP; DURATION OF RELATIONSHIP; TYPE OF VIOLENCE; ONSET OF VIOLENCE; FREQUENCY OF VIOLENCE; HISTORY OF PARENTAL VIOLENCE; EFFECTS OF VIOLENCE ON THE CHILDREN; HELP SOUGHT FROM OUTSIDE SOURCES (POLICE, FAMILY COURT, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, MARRIAGE COUNSELOR, PROTECTIVE SHELTERS); AND DRUG ADDICTION AND/OR RELATED PROBLEMS. AMONG THE FINDINGS WERE: (1) HUSBANDS WHO BEAT THEIR WIVES MOST OFTEN CAME FROM HOMES IN WHICH THEY THEMSELVES WERE BEATEN OR WHERE THEY HAD WITNESSED THEIR OWN FATHERS BEATING THEIR MOTHERS; (2) WOMEN STAYED WITH THEIR HUSBANDS PRIMARILY BECAUSE THEY HOPED THE MEN WOULD REFORM OR BECAUSE THEY HAD NO PLACE TO GO; (3) OVER 90 PERCENT OF THE WOMEN THOUGHT OF LEAVING BUT WERE UNABLE TO GET HELP, BECAUSE SOCIETY DOES NOT PROVIDE THE RESOURCES; (4) ABOUT 45 PERCENT OF THE ASSAULTS ON THE WOMEN WERE ACCOMPANIED BY SIMILAR ABUSE ON AT LEAST ONE CHILD IN THE HOUSEHOLD; (5) POLICE CLEARLY AVOIDED ARRESTING THE HUSBAND AND DID NOT INFORM THE VICTIMS OF THE CITIZEN'S ARREST ALTERNATIVE; AND (6) 85 PERCENT OF THE VIOLENT HUSBANDS WERE REPORTED TO HAVE AN ALCOHOL OR OTHER DRUG PROBLEM. THE OPTION OF OBTAINING AN ORDER OF PROTECTION FROM THE FAMILY COURT IS NOTED; SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING FAMILY COURT SERVICE INCLUDE ALLOWING TRANSFER OF A CASE FROM FAMILY TO CRIMINAL COURT, MANDATING THAT HUSBANDS SEEK PROFESSIONAL HELP, DISSEMINATING INFORMATION ON COURT PROCEDURE FOR POLICE AND SOCIAL AGENCIES, AND DESIGNATING THE BATTERED WIFE AS A PROBATION OFFICER OF THE COURT SO THAT ARRESTS COULD BE MADE IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING AN ASSAULT. THE AUTHOR URGES THAT SOCIETY RECOGNIZE ITS OBLIGATION TO FIND SOLUTIONS, TO OFFER HELP AND IMMEDIATE PROTECTION FOR THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO SEEK IT, AND TO PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND ASSISTANCE TO THE MEN WHO NEED TO EXPLORE NONVIOLENT MODES FOR THE EXPRESSION OF CONFLICT. STATISTICS IN THE FORM OF BAR GRAPHS ARE PRESENTED, AND REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (DAS)