NCJ Number
94359
Journal
Canadian Journal of Criminology Volume: 26 Issue: 2 Dated: (April 1984) Pages: 171-177
Date Published
1984
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The problem of spouse abuse in Ontario is not being fully explored by the community professionals to whom victims are most likely to turn for help.
Abstract
Physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and clergy members in London, Ontario, were sent a questionnaire asking them about their experience with victims of spouse abuse. Clergy members and physicians identified the lowest number of abused women while social workers saw the largest number. Social workers reported that abuse was frequently the primary concern or presenting problem of the abused females, while 80 to 90 per cent of the other groups reported that abuse was never, or only rarely, mentioned by the abused females they saw. Most social workers and psychologists had referred abused women elsewhere, while other groups made fewer referrals. One quarter of the referrals were made to the shelter for battered women. The most popular form of intervention was couple or marriage counseling despite research which suggests that this is often ineffective by itself. The data suggest that very few victims of family violence are identified and subsequently treated by members of the various human service systems. They indicate the need for more public education on identifying family violence and for the development of effective intervention strategies. A list of references is included.