NCJ Number
51382
Date Published
1978
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE THREE STAGES OF A BATTERING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN A HUSBAND AND WIFE ARE PRESENTED. APPROPRIATE INTERVENTION IS GIVEN FOR EACH STAGE, AND LONG TERM TREATMENTS ARE EXAMINED.
Abstract
THE THREE PHASES ARE THE TENSION-BUILDING, THE VIOLENT BATTERING INCIDENT, AND A PERIOD OF PEACE AND CALM FOLLOWING THE INCIDENT. THE CYCLES MAY RUN THEIR COURSE QUICKLY OR THEY MAKE TAKE MONTHS OR, IN SOME CASES, YEARS. POLICE MOST USUALLY ARE CALLED DURING THE TENSION-BUILDING AND VIOLENT PHASES. FREQUENTLY THEY RECOMMEND COUNSELING DURING THE TENSION-BUILDING PHASE OR ATTEMPT TO MEDIATE ONLY TO BE CALLED BACK DURING PHASE TWO WHEN ACTUAL VIOLENT ASSAULT HAS TAKEN PLACE. SOCIAL WORKERS ARE INVOLVED, USUALLY, ONLY IN PHASE THREE. THE INTERACTION OF THESE PHASES, THE WAY THE HUSBAND AND HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS PUT PRESSURE ON THE WIFE TO 'WORK THINGS OUT' DURING PHASE THREE, AND THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF BREAKING THE CYCLE WITHOUT FIRM INTERVENTION ARE ALL DISCUSSED. UNDER CURRENT SOCIAL CONDITIONS THE MOST EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVE FOR THE BATTERED WOMAN IS TO END HER RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BATTERER. SOCIETY WILL NOT HOLD THE HUSBAND RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS ATTACKS AS LONG AS THE RELATIONSHIP IS INTACT. ONCE SHE IS OUT OF IT, HOWEVER, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES AND OTHERS ARE MORE WILLING TO HELP. THE MAJOR TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES DISCUSSED ARE SAFETY FOR THE WOMAN AND HER CHILDREN, A MORE RESPONSIVE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM, AND INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP PSYCHOTHERAPY TO HELP HER INCREASE HER FEELING OF SELF-WORTH. THE ENGLISH SYSTEM OF SAFEHOUSES IS DESCRIBED. THE NEED FOR BETTER LONG TERM SOLUTIONS IS DISCUSSED. THE LAW NEEDS TO BE CHANGED TO PROTECT WOMEN WHO LEAVE BATTERING HUSBANDS FROM A DESERTION CHARGE. POLICE NEED TO TREAT WIFE BEATING AS THEY WOULD ANY ASSAULT CASE. AND SOCIAL WORKERS NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE PROBLEM AS WELL AS THE CYCLE. THERAPY TECHNIQUES ARE SUGGESTED. NOTES ARE APPENDED AS IS A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (GLR)