NCJ Number
157850
Journal
Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment Volume: 5 Dated: (1988) Pages: 83- 87
Date Published
1988
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Data from the intake records of 234 male batterers were analyzed to determine the relationship between domestic assault and alcohol abuse.
Abstract
Charges had all been filed against all the men at the Marion County (Ind.) Prosecutor's Office in Indianapolis. The exploratory study included all cases closed between July 1984 and April 1985. The intake forms had all been completed by the abused women. Information was collected on age, race, living arrangements, alcohol and drug abuse, and severity of the abuse. Results revealed that the most frequently cited relationship (48 percent) was cohabitation by unmarried couples; another 27.3 percent were divorced or separated couples. Only 19 percent were married. The men who were charged with Battery A, the more violent offenses resulting in bodily injury, were considerably more likely than those charged with Battery B, which resulted in less severe injuries, to have either a drug problem or a dual alcohol and drug problem. Findings indicate the need for well- coordinated interagency treatment programs and for establishing valid assessment instruments that have the potential for identifying high-risk chemically dependent batterers. Figure, table, and 17 references (Author abstract modified)