NCJ Number
187144
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 43 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2001 Pages: 27-45
Editor(s)
Julian Roberts
Date Published
January 2001
Length
19 pages
Annotation
This article reports the results of a special unit on spousal violence included in Statistics Canada’s 1999 General Social Survey on Victimization in which men and women were asked identical questions about violent victimization by their marital partners.
Abstract
Using data from the 1999 General Social Survey on Victimization, this article compares and contrasts the prevalence, consequences, and outcomes of spousal violence reported by a representative national sample of women and men. The study showed that five-year and one-year rates of self-reported spousal violence victimization are only slightly higher for women and that this difference is statistically significant. The study found that the nature and consequences of assaults inflicted on women by their spouses are more severe than spousal assaults against men. Assaults reported by women are more frequent and result in more serious consequences and outcomes for victims and higher costs for society. Female victims are more likely to be injured, to use medical services, spend time in the hospital, and take time off work, paid or unpaid. They are also more likely to use counseling and shelter services and to report the violence to the police. Women were five times as likely as men to say they feared their lives were in danger from a violent spouse. Negative emotional outcomes for female victims were also more prevalent. Similarities and differences with other comparative studies are discussed. Notes and References