NCJ Number
64087
Journal
Victimology Volume: 4 Issue: 2 Dated: (1979) Pages: 258-267
Date Published
1979
Length
10 pages
Annotation
A PROFILE OF ABUSED WOMEN AND THEIR MATES IS DRAWN BASED ON INFORMATION GATHERED FROM CLIENTS SEEKING AID FROM SHELTERS; SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE TO REDUCE ABUSE.
Abstract
THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS THE RESULTS OF A STUDY OF 512 PHYSICALLY ABUSED WOMEN WHO SOUGHT SERVICES FROM A SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN. INFORMATION WAS GATHERED FROM INTAKE AND DEPARTURE FORMS AND RECORDED FOR 58 VARIABLES, 26 OF WHICH ARE DISCUSSED. DEMOGRAPHIC DATA (INCLUDING NUMBER OF YEARS WITH SPOUSE AND NUMBER OF CHILDREN), PREVIOUS HISTORY OF VIOLENCE (WITH VIOLENCE DEFINED NOT ONLY BY THE ABUSED WOMAN, WHO TENDS TO FOCUS ON BEHAVIOR THAT WAS LIKELY TO CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE OR DEATH, BUT BY THE SHELTER WITH ITS BROADER DEFINITION), AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS ARE EXAMINED FOR WOMEN AND THEIR MATES. PROFILES ARE THEN DRAWN OF A TYPICAL BATTERED WOMAN WHO SEEKS SERVICES FROM A SHELTER. THE FINDINGS ABOUT WOMEN'S HISTORY OF VIOLENCE AND CONTRIBUTING FACTORS, COMPARED TO TWO OTHER STUDIES, SHOW A NEED FOR A MORE ACCURATE PICTURE OF WHAT CONSTITUTES VIOLENCE IN CHILDHOOD AND AFFIRMS THE LINK BETWEEN WIFE ABUSE AND ALCOHOL USE BY THE ABUSING SPOUSE. INFORMATION GATHERED ON THE DESTINATIONS OF WOMEN WHO LEAVE THE SHELTER SHOW THAT MORE THAN A FOURTH RETURNED TO THEIR MATE, ANOTHER FOURTH WENT TO LIVE WITH A FAMILY MEMBER, AND THE REMAINDER MOVED INTO INDEPENDENT LIVING CONDITIONS. THE WOMEN ALSO HAVE A HISTORY OF REACHING OUT TO OTHER PERSONS AND AGENCIES TO EXTRICATE THEMSELVES FROM THEIR SITUATIONS. SUGGESTIONS ARE GIVEN FOR REDUCTION OF WIFE BEATING THROUGH COUNSELING, CONSCIOUSNESS RAISING, STRESS MANAGEMENT, ASSERTIVENESS TRAINING, SELF-DEFENSE AND THE PASSAGE OF PERTINENT LEGISLATION. REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (RFC)