NCJ Number
57922
Date Published
1978
Length
760 pages
Annotation
THE TWO BILLS UNDER CONSIDERATION WOULD PROVIDE GRANTS FOR PROGRAMS TO AID BATTERED SPOUSES, SET UP AN INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE, AND SUPPORT RESEARCH. THE TESTIMONY DESCRIBES THE PROBLEM AND URGES PASSAGE.
Abstract
REPRESENTATIVES FROM LOCAL GROUPS IN CITIES, RURAL AREAS, WEALTHY COUNTIES, AND MULTIRACIAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENTS ALL DOCUMENT THE PLIGHT OF THE BATTERED SPOUSE. MANY OF THE SPEAKERS POINT OUT THAT THE BATTERED SPOUSE USUALLY IS A WOMAN, AND A FEW DECRY RECENT EMPHASIS ON BATTERED HUSBANDS BECAUSE IT TAKES ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE PROBLEM A WOMAN FACES WHEN SHE TRIES TO LEAVE A BATTERING HUSBAND. THESE SPEAKERS DESCRIBE THEIR SHELTERS AND COUNSELING PROGRAMS. IN ADDITION STATE, LOCAL, AND NATIONAL OFFICIALS GIVE STATISTICS AND URGE SUPPORT OF THE BILLS. SPECIAL PROSECUTORIAL PROGRAMS, TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR POLICE, AND SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM OF THE COURTS ARE ALSO PRESENTED. MANY SPEAKERS FEAR THAT FEDERAL FUNDS WILL GO TO TRADITIONAL GROUPS WHICH, HERETOFORE, HAVE HAD LITTLE INTEREST IN THE PROBLEMS OF BATTERED WOMEN. THEY URGE THAT THE MONEY BE GIVEN TO GRASSROOTS EFFORTS WHICH PROVIDE DIRECT SERVICE. THEY ALSO POINT OUT THAT THE REAL EXPERTS ARE THE GRASSROOTS ORGANIZERS AND THESE PEOPLE SHOULD BE HIRED TO GIVE THE TECHNICAL AID TO NEW SHELTERS. MANY OF THE SPEAKERS APPEND STATISTICS, NEWSPAPER AND MAGAZINE ARTICLES, AND EXTENSIVE BIBLIOGRAPHIES TO THEIR PREPARED STATEMENTS. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 57923-57941. (GLR)