NCJ Number
57941
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
AFTER REVIEWING STATISTICS WHICH INDICATE THAT WIFE ABUSE IS UNDERREPORTED BY AT LEAST 50 PERCENT IN DETROIT, MICH., CHANGES ARE SUGGESTED FOR EACH POINT IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM TO INCREASE VICTIM CONFIDENCE.
Abstract
WOMAN BATTERING GOES UNREPORTED BECAUSE THE VICTIM FEELS THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL NOT TAKE HER SERIOUSLY AND SHE IS ALSO AFRAID THAT THE ASSAULTS WILL BE INTENSIFIED IF SHE REPORTS THEM. UNFORTUNATELY BOTH ASSUMPTIONS ARE TRUE. IF THE BATTERING OF WOMEN IS TO BE PUT ON THE SAME LEVEL AS OTHER ASSAULTS, THE POLICE AND THE COURTS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GIVE IT PRIORITY TREATMENT. THE SAME POLICEMAN WHO WILL BREAK INTO A HOUSE WITHOUT A WARRANT WHEN DRUG USE IS SUSPECTED WILL WAIT POLITELY ON THE PORCH UNTIL INVITED IN BY THE ASSAULTING HUSBAND. LAWS NEED TO BE CHANGED TO ALLOW POLICE TO MAKE WARRANTLESS ARRESTS FOR SUCH MISDEMEANORS AS 'DISTURBING THE PEACE' WHEN THE OFFICER SUSPECTS THAT FELONY ASSAULT IS ALSO INVOLVED. PROSECUTORS MUST SET UP ADVOCACY SYSTEMS SO THAT BATTERED WOMEN ARE GIVEN AID AND SUPPORT IN PRESSING CHARGES. THE POLICE ALSO NEED EITHER A SHELTER TO WHICH THE WIFE CAN BE TAKEN OR SOME PROVISION FOR REMOVING THE HUSBAND FROM THE HOME SO THAT THE BATTERING DOES NOT CONTINUE ONCE THE OFFICER LEAVES. THE DEFINITION OF 'BATTERED WIFE' NEEDS TO BE EXTENDED TO ANY CONSENTING SEXUAL UNION, AS 'BATTERED GIRLFRIENDS' ARE EQUALLY COMMON. THE COURTS ALSO MUST RECOGNIZE THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THE ASSAULT AND HAND DOWN SEVERE FINES OR USE WEEKEND SENTENCES. UNTIL WIFE-BEATING BECOMES A PUBLIC PROBLEM, THOUSANDS OF WOMEN WILL CONTINUE TO BE VICTIMS IN THEIR OWN HOMES. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 57922-57940. (GLR)