NCJ Number
73078
Date Published
1980
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This address by the President of the Nebraska Task Force on Domestic Violence outlines the particular problems faced by victims of domestic violence in the rural United States.
Abstract
The rural woman, caught in a violent home situation, suffers from geographical isolation, a lack of public transportation, and a scarcity of safe shelters, particularly in towns of 4,000 or less that are served by only one motel. She also faces problems with poor law enforcement policy procedures such as jailing both husband and wife in family dispute cases. Other problems are the requirement by some States that she attempt conciliation; denial of welfare benefits, even if she is eligible; a scarcity of mental health counselors; and the expense of long-distance calls and party lines. Possible solutions to these problems include large-scale education programs, special training for law enforcement and mental health agencies, better information and training for teachers and for school counselors, and improved transportation systems and services. In addition, more programs are needed to assist the abuser and to provide the varied services of advocacy, emergency shelters, information, and counseling for victims. A bibliography of four references is attached.