Attitudes and Perceptions of Family Violence Professionals Survey Results

• NCJ Number: 79073
• Author(s): M Lennon; S Blanchard
• Date Published: 1980
• Length: 64 pages
• Corporate Author: Minnesota Crime Control Planning Board (See Minnesota Criminal Justice Program)
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Findings and recommendations are presented from a Minnesota survey that determined family violence professionals' perceptions and attitudes towards the strengths and weaknesses of their jurisdictions' efforts to deal with family violence.

Abstract

The questionnaire was mailed to all those eligible in courts and social services and to random samples of law enforcement and direct services personnel. The report is based on information from 9 regions encompassing 84 Minnesota counties. A total of 2,476 questionnaires were returned, with no serious discrepancy in the different professional sample proportions. The rate of return was about 45 percent. Major findings from the survey were (1) a lack of written procedures for handling cases of child abuse, incest, and spouse abuse; (2) lack of adequate training of professionals handling family violence cases; and (3) lack of adequate community resources for responding to family violence. The study also discovered negative perceptions regarding the effectiveness of courts and prosecution in handling cases of family violence; moderately negative attitudes toward the helpfulness of police intervention in cases of child abuse, incest, and spouse abuse; and a lack of communication and coordination among professionals now dealing with family violence. Recommendations for State action to deal with these issues are offered. Tabular and graphic data are provided, along with a sample questionnaire.