Legal Remedies - Part of the Cure for Battered Women (From Identification and Treatment of Spouse Abuse, P 49-59, 1980, Abraham Lurie and Elizabeth B Quitkin, eds. - See NCJ-101239)

• NCJ Number: 101243
• Author(s): M Fields
• Date Published: 1986
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/; NCJRS Photocopy Services
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: For microfiche, see NCJ-101239.

Annotation

Although the legal system has typically failed to respond adequately to the plight of battered wives, it is still an important element of relief for abused women, and health professionals should help battered women in making the most of their legal options.

Abstract

Studies indicate that battered wives are discriminated against by the police, prosecutors, and judges. The legal system's principal failing is its historical denial of wife abuse as a crime and a social problem. Some recent improvements in the legal system's response to battered wives include a police policy of arrest when there is probably cause to believe an assault has occurred, the creation of special units to prosecute family violence cases, and judges' increased willingness to apply available legal remedies to protect and assist battered wives. Given the potential benefits of legal remedies, health professionals should assist battered women in this area by identifying and recording medical evidence, making referral for legal assistance, cooperating with the victim's attorney, and testifying in court. 24 references.