Domestic Violence and Woman Battering: Theories and Practice Implications (From Helping Battered Women: New Perspectives and Remedies, P 67-82, 1996, Albert R Roberts, ed. -- See NCJ-163226)

• NCJ Number: 163231
• Author(s): D C Dwyer; P R Smokowski; J C Bricout; J S Wodarski
• Date Published: 1996
• Length: 16 pages
• Sale Source: Oxford University Press, Inc
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Public focus on the problem of domestic violence has escalated over the past two decades, and academicians and practitioners have assessed the problem and potential solutions using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

Abstract

Because there is little common agreement about what constitutes domestic violence, comparisons of domestic violence studies are fraught with difficulties. Some researchers limit their examination to incidents of physical aggression, while other researchers include sexual assault and psychological and emotional abuse. Despite 20 or more years of research, estimates of the number of women abused by their partners vary significantly, from 2.1 to 8 million. Causal theories of domestic violence are divided into three general classifications: individual models (psychological), sociological models (sociopsychological), and social-structural models (feminist). Empirical research is reported on characteristics of victims and abusers and consequences of domestic violence. Practice issues and implications related to battered women are discussed primarily in terms of crisis intervention, and recommendations for social work intervention with abused women and tracking violence are offered. The authors believe that, given the unique ecological perspective of social work and its commitment to social change and social justice, social workers and researchers can lead the fight to reduce violence against women in their homes. 54 references