NCJ Number
158976
Editor(s)
B Leone,
S Barbour,
B Stalcup,
K L Swisher
Date Published
1996
Length
96 pages
Annotation
Contributors to this book acknowledge that domestic abuse represents a seriously undercovered social crisis and that the O.J. Simpson case has provided the impetus for public debate on the issue of domestic violence.
Abstract
Sociologists, feminists, and others who argue that domestic violence is a serious problem contend that between 2 and 4 million women are victims each year. They base this conclusion on empirical research and on a 1992 finding by the U.S. Surgeon General that ranks abuse by husbands and partners as the leading cause of injury to women between 15 and 44 years of age. Proponents of domestic violence as a serious problem believe such violence cuts across all racial and socioeconomic lines. Arguments of those who contend domestic violence against women is not as serious take two basic forms: (1) women's advocates exaggerate statistics on the number of women who suffer from domestic violence each year; and (2) women's abuse of men has been virtually ignored and that, by overlooking abused men, women's advocates are neglecting half the problem. Nonetheless, most contributors to the book indicate that the problem of domestic violence is widespread and that the criminal justice system should take domestic violence more seriously. Contributors also acknowledge that domestic violence harms both men and women, that the media sometimes misreports domestic violence, and that both men and women cause domestic violence. A list of organizations involved in domestic violence issues and prevention efforts is included. References and notes