NCJ Number
56322
Date Published
1979
Length
266 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON VIOLENCE IN THE HOME, ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR THE FAMILY, AND LEGAL RESPONSES TO THE PROBLEM, THIS VOLUME EXAMINES BOTH WIFE AND CHILD ABUSE AND BRIEFLY CONSIDERS OTHER FORMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
Abstract
IN THE FIRST PART OF THE TEXT, STUDIES FROM THE UNITED STATES, BRITAIN, AND EUROPE ARE USED TO DESCRIBE THE INCIDENCES OF CHILD ABUSE. DEFINITIONS OF THE TERM, METHODS OF DISCOVERY, SIZE OF THE PROBLEM, CAUSES OF CHILD ABUSE, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES FOR SOCIETY ARE DISCUSSED. IN ADDITION, LEGAL RESPONSES TO CHILD ABUSE CASES, SOCIAL SERVICE PROFESSIONALS, HANDLING OF THIS PROBLEM, COMPENSATION FOR ABUSED CHILDREN, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR PREVENTION ARE EXAMINED. THE SECTION CONCLUDES WITH THE PREDICTION THAT INCIDENCES OF CHILD ABUSE WILL NOT BE MINIMIZED IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE UNLESS SOCIETY IS RESTRUCTURED INTO A MORE HUMANE, EGALITARIAN SOCIAL ORDER. THE FOLLOWING SECTION DEALS WITH THE PROBLEM OF WOMEN WHO ARE PHYSICALLY ABUSED BY THE MEN WITH WHOM THEY LIVE. AS WITH CHILD ABUSE, THE EXISTENCE OF WIFE ABUSE HAS EXISTED FOR CENTURIES AND IS DIFFICULT TO MEASURE STATISTICALLY. FOUR EXPLANATIONS FOR WIFE BATTERING ARE SET OUT: (1) PSYCHOPATHOLOGY OF HUSBANDS; (2) FRUSTRATIONS, STRESS, AND BLOCKED GOALS; (3) REASSERTION OF MALE DOMINANCE; AND (4) THE IDEOLOGY OF MALE SUPERIORITY. AN ABUSED WOMAN DOES HAVE THE OPTION TO USE A NUMBER OF LEGAL REMEDIES, SUCH AS INJUNCTIONS, COMPENSATION FOR INJURIES, AND DIVORCE. ULTIMATELY, AS WITH CHILD ABUSE, ONLY A RESTRUCTURING OF SOCIETY WILL LESSEN THE PROBLEM. FINALLY, ATTENTION IS DRAWN TO NEWER ASPECTS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: HUSBAND BATTERING, ABUSE OF THE ELDERLY, AND VIOLENCE BETWEEN CHILDREN. REFERENCE NOTES FOLLOW EACH CHAPTER. GENERAL AND CASE INDEXES ARE ALSO INCLUDED. (WJR)