NCJ Number
46170
Journal
Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 553-562
Date Published
1977
Length
10 pages
Annotation
THE PROBLEMS FACING A SERVICE PROGRAM FOR BATTERED WOMEN ARE EXAMINED, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR ASSESSMENT AND TREATMENT OF THE WOMEN.
Abstract
PROGRAM PLANNING IN THE FIELD OF WIFE-BATTERING CAN NOT BE MADE IN ADVANCE BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF THE SITUATION. WHEN A WOMAN SEEKS HELP, IT IS GENERALLY BECAUSE SHE CANNOT HANDLE THE SITUATION ANY LONGER THE CRISIS LEVEL IS VERY HIGH FOR THESE WOMEN. THE AUTHORS RECOMMEND THAT A PROGRAM OF GENERAL SERVICES BE MADE FOR THE CLIENTS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. REACHING SOMEONE FOR HELP, PROVIDING PHYSICAL SAFETY AND MATERIAL NEEDS, COUNSELING EMOTIONAL NEEDS, AND GIVING ATTENTION TO LIFE ALTERNATIVES ARE ALL IMMEDIATE PROBLEMS FACING THE WOMEN WHO COME IN FOR HELP. THE BATTERED WOMEN COME FROM A WIDE VARIETY OF BACKGROUNDS; THEY NEARLY COMPRISE A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF ALL GROUPS, BUT THEY HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON -- ABUSE. THE THREE BASIC PERCEPTIONS OF THE WIFE-BATTERING MYTHOLOGY ARE: (1) THE VICTIM IS RESPONSBLE FOR ALL VIOLENCE INFLICTED UPON HER -- THE VIOLENCE IS PROVOKED AND SHE ENJOYS IT, OTHERWISE SHE WOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT; (2) BOTH THE VICTIM AND OFFENDER ARE CAUGHT IN A VICIOUS CIRCLE OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE VIOLENCE -- NEITHER CAN BREAK IT, WHICH INCREASES EMOTIONAL TENSION AND ACTS OF VIOLENCE; AND (3) THE OFFENDER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE VIOLENCE -- HE CANNOT CONTROL HIMSELF, HE ENJOYS INFLICTING PAIN ON SOMEONE, AND HE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO EVEN IF THE WIFE LEAVES. WHEN THE VICTIM IS STEREOTYPED ACCORDING TO THE FIRST MYTH, SHE IS USUALLY GIVEN THE RUNAROUND OR FINDS OUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING SHE CAN DO. WITH THE SECOND ONE, THE COUPLE IS REHABILITATED TO CHANGE ROLE PERCEPTIONS, AND WITH THE THIRD, THE VICTIM TRANSFERS HER DEPENDENCY TO THE THERAPIST OR CONSELOR. THE RESOURCES NECESSARY FOR THE CRISIS WORKERS ARE TIME, DEDICATION, SKILLS (TO SECURE RESOURCES, COMMUNICATE, PROVIDE COUNSELING MANAGE AND DELEGATE, DEFINE CLIENT NEEDS, AND COORDINATE WITH OTHER GROUPS), MULTIROLE STAFF, MATERIAL GOODS, AND INFLUENCE. STAFF DIVERSITY IS NEEDED TO MAKE AVAILABLE A WIDE VARIETY OF METHODS, BUT CONSOLIDATED EFFORT BETWEEN ALL STAFF MEMBERS IS NECESSARY. FUTURE TRENDS SUGGEST THAT THE PROBLEM BE ASSESSED IMMEDIATELY, WHILE PUBLIC INTEREST IS HIGH, SO THAT CENTERS MAY BE ESTABLISHED AND FUNDED BEFORE INTEREST DIES DOWN. (BAC)