NCJ Number
51268
Editor(s)
S WATERMAN,
E LEVINE
Date Published
1977
Length
33 pages
Annotation
A SELF-HELP GUIDE FOR BATTERED WOMEN IS PRESENTED BY THE BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION.
Abstract
THE BOOKLET OPENS WITH GUIDELINES ON WHAT A WOMAN SHOULD DO IF SHE IS BEATEN OR THREATENED BY HER HUSBAND OF BOYFRIEND (MOVING OUT, SAVING EVIDENCE, GOING TO AN EMERGENCY SHELTER, CALLING THE POLICE, GOING TO COURT). IT IS POINTED OUT THAT THE POLICE AND THE COURTS OFTEN DO NOT BELIEVE THAT FIGHTS BETWEEN COUPLES ARE SERIOUS, AND THAT A WOMAN MAY BE DISCOURAGED FROM BRINGING HER CASE OR CONTINUING IT ONCE A COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED. WOMEN ARE ADVISED THAT SOMETIMES THE BEST WAY TO HANDLE A SITUATION IS TO MOVE AWAY AND GET A DIVORCE. HOWEVER, WHEN THE COURT'S HELP IS NEEDED, WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO UNDERSTAND AND ASSERT THEIR LEGAL RIGHTS. THE BOOKLET EXPLAINS THESE RIGHTS, PRESENTING INFORMATION ON WHAT THE FAMILY COURT AND THE CRIMINAL COURT CAN DO FOR A WOMAN WHO HAS BEEN BEATEN OR THREATENED, THE PROCEDURES AND FORMS INVOLVED, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH A WOMAN SHOULD PRESENT HER CASE IN COURT. ALSO INCLUDED IS A GENERAL DISCUSSION OF WHAT A BATTERED WOMAN CAN DO TO HELP HERSELF AND HER CHILDREN. QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD BE ASKED WHEN RETAINING A DIVORCE LAWYER ARE LISTED. THE WELFARE APPLICATION PROCESS IS DESCRIBED IN DETAIL, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO PROBLEMS WOMEN MAY ENCOUNTER IN APPLYING FOR WELFARE. THROUGHOUT, THE BOOKLET EMPHASIZES WHAT VARIOUS OFFICIALS (COURT INTAKE OFFICERS, COURT CLERKS, RECEPTIONISTS, ETC.) ARE AND ARE NOT EMPOWERED TO GRANT OR DENY. SOURCES OF EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE, LEGAL SERVICES, AND COUNSELING IN NEW YORK ARE LISTED. (LKM)