NCJ Number
95839
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 24 Issue: 3 Dated: (July 1984) Pages: 269-288
Date Published
1984
Length
20 pages
Annotation
Much of the sequence of behaviors in episodes of wife abuse is broadly similar to that found in research on other forms of violent events, particularly those between males.
Abstract
Data came from detailed interviews with 109 women living in houses of refuge and from 513 cases recorded by the police. The analysis focused on the first, worst, and last episodes, the last being the episode prior to leaving for a shelter for battered women. The three major stages in the violent event were verbal conflict, threats and evasive action by the victim that might involve mediation by others, and the physical attack. Arguments and violence were often witnessed by third parties, usually children. While negotiations failed to stop the violence, the onset of the physical attack did not mean an end to all negotiations. Findings on the stage immediately following the physical attack challenge Walker's idea that violent events between intimates conclude with a period of apologies and calm, loving respite. Instead, men rarely apologized, and the women usually experienced an emotional aftermath. The nature of violence varied in terms of types of attack, severity, and injuries sustained. The idea that women come to some sort of working agreement that the situation preceding the attack was one suited to violence was not supported. Instead, many violent episodes should be understood as often constructed intentionally by the aggressor. Data tables and 36 references are supplied.