NCJ Number
54635
Date Published
1978
Length
10 pages
Annotation
FIVE 'BATTERED' ENGLISH WIVES HOUSED IN REFUGES TELL IN THEIR OWN WORDS OF THEIR EXPERIENCES OF PHYSICAL, SEXUAL, AND EMOTIONAL ABUSE FROM THEIR HUSBANDS.
Abstract
THE ACCOUNTS OF VIOLENCE IN FAMILIES REPORTED HERE WERE COMPILED FROM INTERVIEWS WITH BATTERED WIVES IN ENGLAND WHO HAD LEFT HOME TO BE TEMPORARILY HOUSED IN REFUGES. THE BRIEF AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL NARRATIVES REPORTED ARE PARTIAL ACCOUNTS OF PARTICULAR CASES. STILL, THEY ARE VIVID DESCRIPTIONS OF SOME DIMENSIONS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE, PARTICULARLY AS IT AFFECTS THE WIFE. THESE WIVES PERCEIVE THE ABUSING HUSBANDS AS DRINKING ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES EXCESSIVELY, RESENTFUL OF THE WIFE'S INTELLIGENCE OR INDEPENDENT ACTIONS, EXTREMELY JEALOUS, HAVING BEEN ABUSED BY THEIR FAMILIES AS CHILDREN, AND HAVING A TENDENCY TO BECOME OVERTLY HOSTILE UNDER STRESS. THE HUSBANDS INCLUDE A COMPANY DIRECTOR AND A UNIVERSITY LECTURER. SEVERAL BEAT THEIR CHILDREN AS WELL, AND IN ONE CASE IT WAS THE ABUSE OF A CHILD THAT FINALLY MOTIVATED THE WIFE TO TAKE HER CHILDREN AND SEEK REFUGE AT THE CENTER. THE FAMILIES OF THE WIVES GENERALLY WERE EITHER SYMPATHETIC OR ACTIVELY AIDED THE WOMEN IN THEIR ESCAPE. (RCB)