NCJ Number
137870
Journal
EuroCriminology Volume: 4 Dated: (1992) Pages: 83-92
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Research findings in Poland prove the existence of differentiated and complicated circumstances that result in family violence.
Abstract
In a study of 160 cases of mistreatment under Article 184 of Poland's penal code, 160 perpetrators and 253 victims were involved. The main victims were wives (86 percent), followed by parents (8 percent), concubines (3 percent), mothers-in-law (2 percent), and minors (1 percent). These findings and those of other research indicate that violent families experience deep-rooted conflicts that are often caused by trivial matters. Insignificant at the beginning, misunderstandings and quarrels develop slowly into major friction and increasing antagonism. Alcohol abuse by a family member is linked with subsequent aggressive behavior. In the majority of family violence cases, the role of the victim is that of an active character in the whole family conflict and in the perpetrator's subsequent behavior. Forms of mistreatment are discussed, as well as the aggressiveness of perpetrators and categories of violence victims. The role of family counseling in resolving family conflicts and preventing family disintegration is examined. An annex presents statistics on the number of convictions in Poland for family mistreatment offenses.