NCJ Number
87872
Date Published
1980
Length
9 pages
Annotation
Although spouse abuse is a widespread problem, police officers are reluctant to get involved due to their ineffectiveness, the danger involved, and the lack of motivation on the part of the victim to pursue a legal resolution.
Abstract
Violence between mates can include physical abuse, threatening behavior or potential abuse, and psychological or emotional abuse. No reliable national Canadian statistics exist on marital violence. However, local data, data from the United States, and related Canadian data indicate that violence is generally accepted as a means of resolving problems between intimates. Although many factors appear to be responsible for family violence, one major factor appears to be the socialization of aggression. Among major underlying factors are problems related to custody or separation, money problems, conflicts regarding the other's friends or activities, infidelity, sexual problems, employment difficulties, and conflicts over possessions or property. There are conflicting views regarding the role of alcohol in family assaults, although a crisis intervention unit found a significant and positive relationship between alcohol use and family assaults. Women are often victims, but may be reluctant to leave an abusive situation due to low self-esteem or lack of resources. Police officers generally warn family members to keep the peace rather than making an arrest. Police could have a more beneficial impact if they recognized and developed their social service functions and their linkages between families in crises and helping professions and agencies. To develop these roles, innovative training and social service programs associated with police departments are being developed. One note is included. References for this paper are found in a bibliography listing about 800 resources and located at the end of the volume.