Woman Abuse in Toronto: Incidence, Prevalence, and Demographic Risk Markers

• NCJ Number: 126448
• Author(s): M D Smith
• Date Published: 1988
• Length: 33 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada; York University
• Sale Source: York University
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: Canada
• Note: Report Number 18.

Annotation

A 1987 Toronto telephone survey of a representative sample of 604 women, aged 18-50 and currently or recently married or cohabiting, solicited information on the prevalence and nature of any physical abuse by the male intimate.

Abstract

The Conflict Tactics Scales were used in the interview to determine the existence and nature of any physical abuse. Demographic variables measured for both the men and women were education, occupational and employment status, religion, ethnicity, and age. Results showed an annual abuse incidence rate of 14.4 percent and a prevalence rate of 25 percent. Several additional measures increased the prevalence rate to 36.4 percent. This rate included abuse by husbands, partners, "boyfriends," and dates. Regarding demographic factors, the likelihood of abuse was significantly related to being divorced or separated and having a husband or partner with low educational attainment. The prevalence estimates, which are much higher than those obtained in a similar survey conducted 2 years earlier in Toronto, apparently resulted from improved methodological procedures. 8 tables, 26 references, and 11 notes