NCJ Number
50548
Date Published
1976
Length
43 pages
Annotation
BASIC INFORMATION ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SPOUSE ASSAULT IS PRESENTED IN THE FIRST OF THREE MANUALS FOR COUNSELORS WHO WORK WITH BATTERED WOMEN.
Abstract
THE MANUAL IS AN INTRODUCTION TO A PRACTICAL COUNSELOR-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP AND WAS PREPARED FOR VOLUNTEER COUNSELORS WORKING WITH THE ANN ARBOR-WASHTENAW COUNTY, MICH., CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR WOMEN. THE EXTENT AND NATURE OF THE PROBLEM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE DISCUSSED, SHORTCOMINGS OF EXISTING SERVICES ARE NOTED, AND THE ANN ARBOR GROUP'S PLANS TO PROVIDE IMMEDIATE CRISIS INTERVENTION, TEMPORARY SHELTERS, AND SHORT TERM AND LONG TERM COUNSELING AND REFERRAL FOR BATTERED WOMEN ARE OUTLINED. AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS FOR SUCH A VICTIM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM ARE PROVIDED. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNSELOR'S ROLE AS HELPER, EDUCATOR, ADVOCATE, COUNSELOR, AND SUPPORTER IS DISCUSSED. DETAILED GUIDELINES FOR CONDUCTING THE INITIAL INTERVIEW AND INTAKE PROCEDURES WITH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE PRESENTED. EXAMPLES OF ROLE-PLAY SITUTIONS USEFUL IN DEVELOPING COUNSELING SKILLS ARE PROVIDED. CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LEGAL ASPECTS OF SPOUSE ASSAULT IN MICHIGAN ARE REVIEWED, WITH EMPHASIS ON INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE PROVIDED TO VICTIMS. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF SOCIAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY ARE NOTED. A STEP-BY-STEP DESCRIPTION OF THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOW A REPORT OF ASSAULT TO THE POLICE ALSO EMPHASIZES INFORMATION THAT WILL BE OF USE TO THE VICTIM. A CHART SHOWING ALL POSSIBLE DISPOSITIONS OF AN ASSAULT CASE ONCE AN ARREST HAS BEEN MADE IS PROVIDED. A GLOSSARY OF LEGAL AND ADVOCACY TERMS, A BIBLIOGRAPHY, A QUESTIONNAIRE FOR USE IN INTERVIEWING ASSAULTED WOMEN AND OTHER FORMS ARE PROVIDED. (LKM)