NCJ Number
125469
Date Published
1990
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This chapter describes the following types of crisis intervention for battered women and their children: early intervention by police-based crisis teams and victim assistance units, assessment and detection in the hospital emergency room, intervention techniques used by crisis hotlines and battered women's shelters, and short-term treatment for the children; referrals are also discussed.
Abstract
Because of the significant amount of time police spend responding to repeat family-assault calls and their lack of clinical skills, several police departments have established crisis intervention teams staffed by professional social workers and trained volunteers. Descriptions of programs in Tucson, Ariz., and Houston, Tex., illustrate the intervention procedures used by victim assistance programs. A visit to a hospital emergency room may provide the initial opportunity for some battered women to recognize the life-threatening nature of the violent relationship. An increasing number of large hospitals in urban areas are providing crisis intervention for battered women. The recommended way for emergency rooms to handle detection and assessment of battering is through the use of an adult abuse protocol. This chapter describes such a protocol. Intervention techniques used by telephone hotline programs and battered women's shelters are designed to provide 24-hour access to protective and intervention services for battered women. The techniques of such programs should provide for immediate protective help and subsequent guidance for resolving the problem over the long term. Some of these services, including treatment for children, are described. 16 references.