MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS - REPORT TO THE LEGISLATURE - THE IMPLEMENTATION OF MINNESOTA LAWS, CHAPTER 428, 1977 AND MINNESOTA LAWS, CHAPTER 732, 1978 REGARDING PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN

• NCJ Number: 59532
• Author(s): ANON
• Date Published: 1979
• Length: 67 pages
• Corporate Author: Minnesota Dept of Corrections
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

THE PROGRESS MADE BY THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IN IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS OF LAWS ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN IS OUTLINED.

Abstract

IT HAS BEEN THE EXPERIENCE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS THAT MEN ASSAULT THEIR PARTNERS FOR TWO PRIMARY REASONS. FIRST, SOME HAVE LEARNED FROM GROWING UP IN VIOLENT HOMES OR HOMES WHERE THEY WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH TOOLS TO HANDLE BASIC HUMAN EMOTIONS AND CONFLICT AND WHERE THEY LEARNED THAT VIOLENCE IS A WAY OF CONTROLLING THEIR PARTNERS. SECOND, THERE ARE MANY SOCIAL SANCTIONS FOR BATTERING AND FEW REPERCUSSIONS TO VIOLENT PARTNERS. NOT ALL MEN WHO BATTER SHARE THE SOCIETAL INDIFFERENCE TO OR THE ACCEPTANCE OF THEIR BEHAVIOR. SERVICE PROVIDERS HAVE COME TO REALIZE THAT A WOMEN WHO LIVES IN A VIOLENT RELATIONSHIP OFTEN DOES SO OUT OF FEAR, EMOTIONAL DEPENDENCY, ECONOMIC DEPENDENCY, AND ROLE CONDITIONING AND BECAUSE SHE IS OFTEN SEEN AS A MASOCHIST WHEN SHE SEEKS HELP. THE FOLLOWING STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN BY THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS TO IMPLEMENT KEY PROVISIONS OF MINNESOTA LAWS DEALING WITH BATTERED WOMEN: ESTABLISHMENT OF A STATEWIDE ADVISORY TASK FORCE TO THE DEPARTMENT; SELECTION AND FUNDING OF EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS; DEVELOPMENT OF A STATEWIDE COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAM CONCERNING SPOUSE BATTERING; AND COLLECTION OF DATA RELATED TO BATTERED WOMEN FROM EVERY MEDICAL PROFESSION, LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, AND HUMAN SERVICE PROVIDER IN THE STATE. THE PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THE SUBSEQUENT CREATION OF A STATE PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED THE NECESSARY CATALYST TO INITIATE OR EXPAND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS FOR BATTERED WOMEN. IN ADDITION, THE STATE PROGRAM IS SENSITIZING MANY PROFESSIONALS TO THE PROBLEMS AND NEEDS OF BATTERED WOMEN. EMERGENCY ROOMS OF HOSPITALS ARE BEGINNING TO ADOPT SPECIAL PROTOCOLS IN DEALING WITH ABUSED WOMEN, SOME POLICE OFFICERS ARE CARRYING REFERRAL CARDS FOR SHELTERS, AND COURTS ARE SLOWLY BEGINNING TO USE THEIR POWER TO PROVIDE ADDED PROTECTION FOR BATTERED WOMEN. RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE THE PLIGHT OF BATTERED WOMEN THAT CONCERN ADEQUATE SHELTER, ADVOCACY AND EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE OFFERED. PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR BATTERED MEN ARE DISCUSSED. SUPPORTING DATA AND MAPS OF THE STATE ARE INCLUDED. FORMS TO USE IN COLLECTING DATA ABOUT BATTERED WOMEN ARE APPENDED. (DEP)