NCJ Number
99916
Journal
Judges' Journal Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (Summer 1985) Pages: 4-9,50
Date Published
1985
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the psychosocial dynamics of wife abuse, including the effects of sex role socialization and judicial response to this crime.
Abstract
Although wife abuse is a problem of epidemic proportions that results not only in injury to the women involved but also contributes to child abuse and acceptance of violent behavior, judicial response generally has been ineffective. Wife beaters typically are put on probation or fined, and judges tend to consider the frequency and severity of beatings before they are willing to issue a warrant. Three factors contribute to this situation. Gender bias contributes to male judges' blaming the victim, accepting the husband's testimony over the wife's, and identifying with the husband as a victimized male. A lack of understanding of the dynamics of abuse overlooks the beliefs and motivations underlying abuse and maintaining the abusive relationship. Judges' unawareness of the crime's seriousness ignores such factors as the cyclical nature of violence, its increases in intensity and frequency over time, and the continual danger to the victim. Judges are urged to recognize the effects of traditional social values on their responses and to take a leadership role in solving the problem. Included are 33 references.