NCJ Number
36347
Date Published
1976
Length
286 pages
Annotation
WIFE-BEATING IS A COMPLEX PROBLEM THAT INVOLVES MUCH MORE THAN THE ACT ITSELF OR THE PERSONNAL INTERACTION BETWEEN A HUSBAND AND HIS WIFE - THIS BOOK EXAMINES THE CAUSES OF REACTIONS, TO, AND REMEDIES FOR THIS CRIME.
Abstract
IT HAS ITS ROOTS IN HISTORICAL ATTITUDES TOWARDS WOMEN, THE INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE, THE ECONOMY, THE INTRICACIES OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAW, AND THE DELIVERY SYSTEM OF SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES. BLAME IS NOT EASILY FIXED, NOR ARE THE CAUSES OF MARITAL VIOLENCE EASILY IDENTIFIED. THE TRIVIALITY OF THE INCIDENTS WHICH CAN LEAD TO AN OUTBREAK OF THIS VIOLENT ABUSE IS PATHETIC. WIVES HAVE BEEN BEATEN FOR WEARING THE WRONG PERFUME, FOR PREPARING CASSEROLES INSTEAD OF FRESH MEAT, OR FOR HAVING THE MISFORTUNE TO BE MARRIED TO A MAN WHOSE DRIVER'S LICENSE HAS BEEN SUSPENDED. INCIDENTS SUCH AS THESE MAY SEEM TRITE, BUT THE CONSEQUENCES ARE CRIMINAL. AFTER THE BEATINGS, WHY DOES THE VICTIM STAY? THE MOST OBVIOUS SOLUTION WOULD BE TO PACK UP AND LEAVE. BUT THIS COURSE OF ACTION IS OFTEN PRECLUDED BY UNEMPLOYABILITY, PERCEIVED HELPLESSNESS, FEAR OF REPRISAL, THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE BEATINGS WILL NOT BE RESUMED, OR, AND THIS MAY BE THE MOST TRAGIC, THE FAILURE OF THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND THE SOCIAL SERVICES TO PROVIDE VIABLE ALTERNATIVES TO THE VICTIM. TOO OFTEN, THE COURTS LOOK LIGHTLY UPON THE PROBLEM, RELYING ON THE MISGUIDED BELIEF THAT THINGS WILL RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER AFTER THE HEAT OF THE INCIDENT IS DISSIPATED. THE SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES OFTEN SEEM TO SHARE THE SOCIETY'S VIEW THAT WIFE BEATING IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE BETTER IGNORED. WHAT, THEN, IS THE ANSWER? SURVIVAL TACTICS, REMEDIAL LEGISLATION, AND REFUGES (A NUMBER OF WHICH ARE DESCRIBED) FOR BATTERED WOMEN SEEM TO HOLD SOME PROMISE. (SNI ABSTRACT)