NCJ Number
138226
Date Published
1990
Length
43 pages
Annotation
This literature review provides an overview of current international and Canadian empirical studies that focus on spouse abuse and the responses of the criminal justice system and other organizations.
Abstract
The analysis revealed that criminal legislation related to spouse abuse varies widely across and within countries. The disparities in policy development in Canada, the United States, Great Britain, and Australia appear to reflect the variations in public attitudes toward spouse abuse. The sections of criminal legislation that have become the focus of debate are those that specify the offense definition, arrest procedures, and protection provisions. The available data also suggest that calls regarding domestic assault represent the largest single category of calls received by the police and are more common than calls for all other types of violent crimes combined. Most programs for treating offenders are community based. Programs to provide victim assistance developed as a result of several social movements and concern. Treatment for abused women has been based on the belief that women require safety, shelter, and psychological support when leaving an assaultive male partner. The research on spouse abuse typically examines one component of the criminal justice system in isolation and excludes consideration of the interactions among competing goals. Further research is needed regarding the impacts of current legislative and policy reform, especially the impacts on victims. 78 references