NCJ Number
56310
Date Published
1978
Length
28 pages
Annotation
DETERMINING PEOPLE MOST LIKELY TO NEED SOCIAL SERVICES BECAUSE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WAS THE BASIS FOR THIS STUDY. SUCH DATA ARE ESSENTIAL IN SETTING UP SERVICE PROGRAMS.
Abstract
IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE HOW MANY COUPLES IN THIS COUNTRY HAVE EVER ENGAGED IN PHYSICAL VIOLENCE ON THE BASIS OF ONLY ONE NATIONAL SURVEY (STRAUS, 1977). HOWEVER, DATA FROM THIS STUDY SHOULD BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH EVIDENCE FROM OTHER SOURCES TO DETERMINE WHO ARE THE VICTIMS MOST IN NEED OF PROTECTION AND SERVICES. FINDINGS INDICATE THAT WIVES ARE VICTIMIZED BY VIOLENCE TO A MUCH GREATER EXTENT THAN HUSBANDS AND SHOULD BE THE FOCUS OF THE MOST IMMEDIATE REMEDIAL STEPS. MOST RESEARCHERS HAVE AVOIDED ANY TENDENCY TO FOCUS ON SENSATIONAL, BUT STATISTICALLY INSIGNIFICANT, CASES OF HUSBAND BATTERING. ATTENTION SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON THE UNIQUE PROBLEMS WOMEN FACE IN ATTEMPTING TO REMOVE THEMSELVES FROM BATTERING SPOUSES. DIVORCE LAWS PUT WOMEN AT A DISADVANTAGE SINCE THE EARNING POWER OF THE HUSBAND IS RARELY DIVIDED EQUALLY WITH THE WIFE. WOMEN FACE SUCH ADDITIONAL DIFFICULTIES IN COLLECTING SPOUSAL AND CHILD SUPPORT, OBTAINING JOB TRAINING AND EDUCATION, AND FINDING WORK. AS A RESULT, A MUCH GREATER PERCENTAGE OF FAMILIES HEADED BY FEMALES LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LEVEL THAN FAMILIES HEADED BY MALES. SHELTERS ARE AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP IN HELPING WOMEN BREAK AWAY BUT MORE ARE NEEDED. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (KCP)