NCJ Number
58708
Journal
MS Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (AUGUST 1976) Pages: 51-54,94
Date Published
1976
Length
5 pages
Annotation
FAMILY OFFENSES IN THE FORM OF WIFE BEATING AND MARITAL VIOLENCE ARE CONSIDERED, ALONG WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT REMEDIES AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR ABUSED WOMEN.
Abstract
WIFE BEATING IS A COMMONPLACE CRIME, BUT THE SITUATION OF ABUSED WIVES HAS BEEN IGNORED BY SOCIETY. ATTITUDES TOWARD ABUSED WIVES AND RAPE VICTIMS ARE STRIKINGLY SIMILAR; JUST AS THE RAPE VICTIM IS SUPPOSEDLY A SEDUCTIVE PERSON WHO ASKED FOR WHAT SHE GOT, THE ABUSED WIFE PROVOKED HER HUSBAND INTO BEATING HER. WIFE BEATING CUTS ACROSS ALL SOCIAL CLASSES, BUT MANY BATTERED VICTIMS, ESPECIALLY MIDDLE-CLASS WOMEN, ARE RELUCTANT TO CALL THE POLICE. STILL DOMESTIC TROUBLE COMPLAINTS CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY OF ALL CALLS FOR POLICE ASSISTANCE. DESPITE THIS FACT FEW ARRESTS ARE MADE, AND MANY LAWYERS BELIEVE THAT FAILURE TO ARREST IN WIFE ABUSE CASES IS OFTEN BASED ON POLICE PREDICTIONS THAT WOMEN PLAINTIFFS WILL EVENTUALLY DROP THE CHARGES. WOMEN ENDURE VIOLENCE BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE ECONOMIC DEPENDENCE ON MEN KEEPS THEM AT HOME, AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PRESSURES ARISE FROM THE FACT THAT WOMEN HAVE BEEN RAISED AND SOCIALIZED TO BELIEVE THEY MUST MAKE THEIR HUSBANDS HAPPY. ALCOHOL IS FREQUENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH WIFE ABUSE, AS IS ABUSE IN CHILDHOOD, AND RESEARCH INDICATES THAT PREGNANCY AND WIFE ABUSE MAY BE RELATED. STATE LAWS THAT CAN BE INVOKED TO PROTECT WOMEN FROM ASSAULTIVE HUSBANDS VARY. IN ALL STATES, IT IS AGAINST THE LAW TO ATTACK ANOTHER PERSON PHYSICALLY. IF THE ASSAILANT IS MARRIED TO THE VICTIM, HOWEVER, THE LAW IS UNLIKELY TO BE ENFORCED. THE LEGAL SYSTEM IS THUS INDIFFERENT AND OFTEN HOSTILE TO THE NEEDS OF WOMEN FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ASSAULTIVE HUSBANDS. MORE SHELTERS AND COUNSELING AND BETTER LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE CRUCIAL IN RELIEVING THE PLIGHT OF BATTERED WIVES. THE BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME ALSO IS ROOTED IN BELIEFS ABOUT SEXUAL INEQUALITY AND WILL DISAPPEAR ONLY WHEN THIS INEQUALITY IS ELIMINATED. CASE HISTORIES OF WIFE ABUSE ARE INCLUDED. (DEP)