NCJ Number
57936
Date Published
1978
Length
13 pages
Annotation
THE PLIGHT OF BATTERED WOMEN IN RURAL AREAS IS MADE MORE ACUTE BY ISOLATION; THE STATE POLICE ARE MANY MILES AWAY, SOCIAL SERVICES ARE FEW, AND GETTING A WARRANT INVOLVES A LONG TRIP TO THE COUNTY SEAT.
Abstract
THE APPALACHIAN RESEARCH AND DEFENSE FUND OF KENTUCKY, INC. COUNTED ASSAULT CHARGES, SURVEYED DIVORCE STATISTICS, AND EXAMINED POLICE RECORDS IN PERRY COUNTY, KY., TO ESTIMATE THE EXTENT OF WIFE ABUSE IN RURAL AREAS OF THE STATE. IT FOUND THAT ON A PER CAPITA BASIS ABOUT AS MANY WOMEN WERE BEING BEATEN AS WERE COMING TO THE ATTENTION OF AUTHORITIES IN URBAN AREAS. HOWEVER, AS IN URBAN AREAS, MANY CASES GO UNREPORTED. THE PROBLEM IS COMPOUNDED BY THE FACT THAT MOST OF THESE WOMEN LIVE IN REMOTE HOLLOWS WITH NO TELEPHONE. THE FAMILY STRUCTURE IS PATRILOCAL. IT IS NOT UNUSUAL FOR A WHOLE HOLLOW OR CREEK BRANCH TO BE COMPOSED OF JUST ONE FAMILY; EACH BROTHER'S WIFE IS THE OUTSIDER AND SHE CAN OFTEN EXPECT LITTLE SUPPORT FROM HER HUSBAND'S FAMILY. TIES TO HER OWN FAMILY CAN ALSO TRAP HER IF SHE MUST LEAVE THAT COMMUNITY IN ORDER TO LIVE IN PEACE. HER CALL TO THE POLICE MAY BE ANSWERED BY A FRIEND OF HER HUSBAND'S FAMILY. IF A SHELTER IS ESTABLISHED, ITS LOCATION WOULD BE QUICKLY KNOWN IN THE SMALL TOWNS. AT PRESENT THERE IS ONE SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN IN KENTUCKY, LOCATED IN LOUISVILLE. A SURVEY OF OVER 50 AGENCIES IN THREE COUNTIES TURNED UP ONLY TWO WHO COULD ACCOMODATE OR GIVE TEMPORARY FINANCIAL AID TO A BATTERED WOMAN. FUNDING IS URGED TO HELP LOCAL PEOPLE DEVELOP APPROPRIATE LOCAL SERVICES. URBAN SOLUTIONS IMPOSED BY OUTSIDERS WILL NOT WORK IN RURAL AREAS. APPENDIXES CONTAIN THE PERRY COUNTY SURVEY RESULTS PLUS REFERENCES. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 57922-57935 AND NCJ 57937-57941.