Ecological Model of Battered Women's Experience Over Time

• NCJ Number: 185887
• Author(s): Mary Ann Dutton
• Date Published: December 2000
• Length: 0 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
• Sale Source: US Dept of Justice
• Publication Format: Film
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: 60 minute video. NIJ Research in Progress Seminar

Annotation

This presentation and accompanying answers to audience questions focus on a longitudinal study of the characteristics, lives, and perceptions of 406 abused women who sought assistance through battered women’s shelters, civil courts, and criminal courts.

Abstract

The research focused on the patterns of violence and abuse in these women’s lives over time, their appraisals of their risk of further abuse, and the strategies they used to deal with the violence. Initial interviews took place onsite at the shelters and courts. Four follow-up interviews took place by telephone over the course of a year. The analysis presented the findings from the first interviews, with additional material from the second interviews. Results revealed that the participants were mainly black women and that they were diverse in age, income, education, reliance on public assistance, and relationship status. The violence they experienced was severe. However, the current incident was not the worst incident for almost half of the participants. Participants commonly used seven strategies that were helpful, including calling the police and leaving home. Strategies commonly used but not helpful including talking to the perpetrator and fighting back. Participants who used the criminal courts considered protection order remedies and child support remedies to be important. Participants at shelters regarded the shelter, food, clothing, advocacy, and counseling provided as important. Results also revealed that many participants expected to have continued contact with the perpetrator. Perceived future risks from the perpetrator included violation of the protection order, causing financial problems, and property destruction. The analysis concluded that most participants had experienced severe violence and abuse over the preceding year and that no single strategy was effective for addressing spouse abuse. Findings also indicate that counselors should consider past abuse and not just the current event and that court remedies need to account for some contact between the victim and perpetrator over time. Introduction and comments by the National Institute of Justice Deputy Director