NCJ Number
59586
Date Published
1978
Length
42 pages
Annotation
THE NATURE AND SCOPE OF SPOUSE ABUSE, THE ROLES OF SOCIAL SERVICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN DEALING WITH SPOUSE ABUSE, AND INFORMATION ABOUT PROGRAMS TO ASSIST ABUSED SPOUSES AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
WIFE BATTERING IS ESTIMATED TO BE THE MOST FREQUENT CRIME COMMITTED, YET COMPILING STATISTICS TO VALIDATE THIS ESTIMATE IS VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE. BECAUSE SPOUSE ABUSE IS NOT CONSIDERED A CRIME CATEGORY, MOST INCIDENTS ARE HIDDEN IN POLICE AND COURT FILES UNDER SUCH HEADINGS AS ASSAULT AND/OR BATTERY, AGGRAVATED ASSAULT, AND HOMICIDE. OTHER DATA ARE NOT READILY AVAILABLE DUE TO THE SECRECY INVOLVED IN CASES OF SPOUSE ABUSE. LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS TO THE SPOUSE ABUSE PROBLEM REQUIRE COOPERATION AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, THE JUDICIARY, MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS, AND THE MEDIA. SOCIAL SERVICE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SHORT-TERM SOLUTIONS. THOUGH SPOUSE BATTERING IS NOT A CRIME, EVERY STATE HAS CRIMINAL LAWS PROHIBITING ASSAULT AND/OR BATTERY, UNDER WHICH A PERSON CAN MAKE A COMPLAINT AGAINST A VIOLENT SPOUSE. INFORMATION ABOUT THE LOCAL PROCEDURE FOR FILING A COMPLAINT CAN BE OBTAINED FROM THE STATE'S ATTORNEY, THE PROSECUTING ATTORNEY, OR THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY. MANY ABUSING SPOUSES WERE EITHER VICTIMS OF CHILD ABUSE OR OBSERVERS OF VIOLENT BEHAVIOR BETWEEN THEIR PARENTS. ABUSIVE HUSBANDS FREQUENTLY SUFFER FROM LOW SELF-ESTEEM NURTURED BY LOW JOB STATUS AND INCOME. OUT OF FRUSTRATION AND AN OBSESSION TO ASSUME A DOMINATING ROLE, THEY INTIMIDATE AND BEAT THEIR WIVES. MANY ABUSED SPOUSES DO NOT ESCAPE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES BECAUSE OF FEAR OF RETALIATION, ANXIETY ABOUT ECONOMIC SURVIVAL, AND GUILT ABOUT INITIATING A BREAKUP OF THE FAMILY. ALTHOUGH THE CHILDREN OF BATTERED SPOUSES WILL HAVE DIFFICULT ADJUSTMENTS FOLLOWING A MARITAL SPLIT, STUDIES SHOW THAT CONTINUED EXPOSURE TO VIOLENT PARENTAL BEHAVIOR WILL HAVE AN EVEN MORE PSYCHOLOGICALLY DESTRUCTIVE EFFECT. REFUGES AND SHELTER CARE, THE POLICE, CRIMINAL COURT,CIVIL COURT, FAMILY COURT, OR PROBATE COURT ARE SOME ALTERNATIVE STRUCTURES THAT CAN BE USED TO STOP VICTIMIZATION. ORGANIZATIONS AND AGENCIES THAT PROVIDE INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE TO BATTERED WOMEN ARE LISTED BY STATE. A BIBLIOGRAPHY IS ALSO PROVIDED. (RCB)