NCJ Number
55464
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED BY THE YOUTH SERVICES OF THE ROYAL CANADIAN MOUNTED POLICE AT REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, TO INCREASE REPORTING OF THE INTERSPOUSAL VIOLENCE AND TO MEET THE NEEDS OF VICTIMS ARE DESCRIBED.
Abstract
THE LARGE DEGREE OF UNDERREPORTING OF MARITAL VIOLENCE ESTABLISHES THE NEED FOR BETTER STATISTICS AND BETTER REPORTING PROCEDURES. AT PRESENT MOST REPORTS COME THROUGH CALLS TO THE POLICE OR FROM THIRD PARTIES. UNDERREPORTING IS DUE TO LACK OF RECOGNITION OF THE PROBLEM, A CLIMATE FAVORABLE TO REPORTING, A GOOD REPORTING CHANNEL, AND GOOD DATA COLLECTION ONCE THE REPORT IS RECEIVED. FOR THE PERSONS INVOLVED IN MARITAL VIOLENCE, REPORTING MUST BE ASSOCIATED WITH ACCESSIBILITY OF THE SERVICE, THE IMMEDIACY OF THE SERVICE, AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE SERVICE. IN REGINA, SASKATCHEWAN, POLICE HAVE BEEN TRAINED IN CRISIS INTERVENTION AND OFFER IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE TO THE VICTIM. ASSISTANCE IS IN THE FORM OF A REFERRAL TO A SOCIAL AGENCY OR ONE OF TWO PROJECTS SET UP SPECIFICALLY TO DEAL WITH BATTERED SPOUSES. THE MOBILE FAMILY SERVICE SOCIETY WAS SET UP IN REGINA IN 1972 TO PROVIDE 24-HOUR, 7-DAY-A-WEEK RESPONSE TO DOMESTIC CRISES. THE HOTLINE NUMBER IS WIDELY PUBLICIZED AND 60 PERCENT OF THE CLIENTS COME ON A WALK-IN BASIS. THE SERVICE REPRESENTS 26 SOCIAL AGENCIES, AND CLIENTS ARE CHANNELED TO THE AGENCY BEST SUITED TO MEET SPECIFIC NEEDS. REGINA TRANSITION HOUSE IS A SHELTER ESTABLISHED IN 1976. IT HAS SPACE FOR 6 FAMILIES; A TOTAL OF 108 FAMILIES (353 PEOPLE) STAYED AN AVERAGE OF 16 DAYS THE FIRST YEAR. THE POLICE, MOBILE FAMILY SERVICES, AND TRANSITION HOUSE INTERACT TO PROVIDE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES IN TIMES OF CRISIS. A SELF-HELP SUPPORT CLUB CONTINUES TO AID THE VICTIM THROUGH THE FINAL STAGE OF TRANSITION TO A SINGLE-PARENT FAMILY. GOOD RECORDKEEPING IS A FEATURE OF THE ENTIRE PROCESS. REFERENCES ARE APPENDED. (GLR)