NCJ Number
112889
Date Published
1988
Length
27 pages
Annotation
Half of all married women can expect to experience a violent episode in their relationships, and 1.8 million women are battered annually in the United States.
Abstract
Historically, wife battering has not been considered a social problem but rather, a fact of life dating back at least to the Romans. Wife battering exists within the context of a male-dominated, patriarchal social order and generalized violence against women. While all States outlaw assault, enforcement is unlikely if the parties are in a relationship; only since the 1970's have services been provided to battered women. Wife battering may be defined as the infliction of physical pain or injury with intent to cause harm or the use of forcible restraint against a woman by a male with who she has or had an established relationship. In a survey of 2,000 families, 28 percent reported a violent incident in the marriage. It is estimated that 99 percent of victims in such episodes are women. In addition, underreporting is greater for violence by husbands against wives, a male's violent acts are likely to be repeated, and males have higher rates for the most dangerous and injurious forms of violence. Battering occurs in all social groupings and crosses racial, age, and geographic boundaries. It usually becomes more frequent and violent over time. Victims often are isolated, fearful, have low self-esteem, and a strong sense of guilt. Perpetrators often have low self-esteem, limited coping skills, and severe stress reactions. While there are a variety of theories, no one factor can account for the complexity of battering. Social workers have an important role to play in identifying, helping, and advocating for battered women. 34 notes.