SECRET SCANDAL - BATTERED WIVES

• NCJ Number: 54589
• Author(s): H J PASCAL
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 142 pages
• Corporate Author: Alba Books
• Publication Format: Book (Softbound)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

CASE HISTORIES ILLUSTRATE THE PROBLEM OF WIFE BEATING; THE PROBLEMS THE BATTERED WIFE FACES WHEN SHE SEEKS AID FROM THE POLICE, PROSECUTORS, AND COURTS; AND THE LEGAL PROBLEMS, WHICH HINDER PROSECUTION OF HUSBANDS.

Abstract

THIS BOOK, WHICH IS WRITTEN FOR THE LAY READER, DOCUMENTS THE WIDESPREAD NATURE OF WIFE ABUSE AND ITS EXISTENCE AMONG ALL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STRATA. THE PSYCHOLOGICAL MAKEUP OF BOTH THE HUSBANDS AND THE WIVES IS EXAMINED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT COMPLEX INTERACTIONS UNDERLIE THE BASIC PROBLEM BUT THAT THE SITUATION IS INTENSIFIED BY THE FACT THAT SOCIETY CONDONES WIFE BEATING. TO ILLUSTRATE THIS ATTITUDE, STUDIES ARE CITED WHICH INDICATE THAT PASSERS-BY REFUSE TO INTERVENE IN SITUATIONS WHERE A MAN IS ASSAULTING A WOMAN AND BY DRAWING ON CASE HISTORIES FROM EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND MARRIAGE COUNSELORS. THE TRAINING BULLETIN OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEFS OF POLICE, WHICH URGES PATROL OFFICERS TO AVOID ARREST, IF POSSIBLE, AND TO TALK THE WOMAN OUT OF PRESSING CHARGES, IS CRITICIZED. PROSECUTORS WHO LIKEWISE TRY TO CONVINCE THE VICTIM TO DROP CHARGES ARE ALSO CONDEMNED. A DOMESTIC ASSAULT CASE'S COURSE IS TRACED THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM, POINTING OUT THE LEGAL OBSTACLES AT EACH STEP. LAWYERS WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF BATTERED WIVES ARE ALSO CRITICIZED, AND THE NEED FOR LEGAL AID IS DOCUMENTED. THE RELUCTANCE OF HOSPITALS AND PHYSICIANS TO REPORT WIFE-BATTERING CASES IS ALSO NOTED. THROUGHOUT, THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN WIFE ABUSE AND CHILD ABUSE ARE POINTED OUT, AND A CHAPTER SPECIFICALLY DISCUSSES THIS. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE TREATING WIFE ABUSE EXACTLY AS IF IT WERE AN ASSAULT BETWEEN STRANGERS, SETTING UP SHELTERS FOR ABUSED WOMEN, ESTABLISHING LEGAL AID SERVICES, AND MOBILIZING COMMUNITY RESOURCES TO MEET THE PROBLEM. THE WOMAN IS ALSO COUNSELED TO TAKE POSITIVE STEPS TO REMEDY HER SITUATION. APPENDIXES INCLUDE AN EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHY AND A LISTING, BY STATE, OF COUNSELING, ADVOCACY, AND EMERGENCY RESCUE PROGRAMS FOR BATTERED WOMEN. (GLR)