NCJ Number
55090
Date Published
1978
Length
15 pages
Annotation
A DESCRIPTION OF THE TREATMENT MODEL OF THE VICTIMS INFORMATION BUREAU OF SUFFOLK COUNTY, N.Y. IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
DURING 1976, THE VICTIMS INFORMATION BUREAU RECEIVED MORE THAN 4600 CALLS ON THE HOTLINE AND HAD 465 CASES IN THE COUNSELING CENTER; OF THESE CONTACTS, 96 PERCENT WERE FROM BATTERED WOMEN. THE BUREAU'S PHILOSOPHY IS THAT VICTIMS NEED THE PROTECTION OF SOCIETY, AND THIS PHILOSOPHY UNDERLIES THE BUREAU'S VICTIMOLOGY MODEL. THE THREE COMPONENTS TO THIS MODEL ARE AS FOLLOWS: (1) PEOPLE GENERALLY FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE AROUND VICTIMS AND DO NOT WANT TO ASSOCIATE WITH THEM, (2) OUR SYSTEM TEACHES THAT IF YOU DO SOMETHING GOOD, YOU WILL BE REWARDED, AND IF YOU DO SOMETHING BAD, YOU MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO DESERVE IT; AND (3) THE SYSTEM OFTEN RESPONDS WITH INDIFFERENCE AND CALLOUSNESS TO THE VICTIMS OF VIOLENT CRIMES. THE TREATMENT MODEL DIVIDES THE CLIENT POPULATION INTO THREE GENERAL CATEGORIES: WOMEN WHO WANT TO SEPARATE FROM OR DIVORCE THEIR HUSBANDS, WOMEN WHOSE ONLY OPTION IS TO REMAIN IN THEIR MARRIAGES, AND WOMEN WHO WANT TO REMAIN IN THEIR MARRIAGES, BUT WANT THE RELATIONSHIPS TO CHANGE. DIRECTION IN FINDING LEGAL COUNSEL, HOUSING, PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, JOB TRAINING, CHILD CARE, AND OTHER SERVICES IS PROVIDED BY THE BUREAU. THERAPY, INDIVIDUAL, COUPLE, OR GROUP, IS OFTEN RECOMMENDED. BOTH BEHAVIORAL AND PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC APPROACHES ARE USED. WAYS OF DEALING WITH ANGER ARE HIGHLIGHTED, AND TECHNIQUES OF OF NONVIOLENT WAYS OF FIGHTING ARE SOMETIMES TAUGHT. THE TYPICAL CLIENT OF THE BUREAU IS 35 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN MARRIED FOR 15 YEARS. THE VAST MAJORITY OF CLIENTS HAVE NEVER SOUGHT HELP EVEN THOUGH ABUSE HAS EXISTED THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE MARRIAGE. THE ABUSE VICTIM IS DESCRIBED AS CHRONICALLY DEPRESSED, REMORSEFUL, RESIGNED TO HER SITUATION, AND IN CONSTANT FEAR FOR HER LIFE. (MLC)