NCJ Number
46950
Date Published
1977
Length
75 pages
Annotation
LAW REFORM, BETTER LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND MORE ADEQUATE SOCIAL SERVICES IN THE AREAS OF SPOUSE ABUSE, CHILD ABUSE, AND PARENT ABUSE ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE EXAMINED ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMS, POSITION PAPERS, TESTIMONY, AND RESEARCH DATA PRESENTED FOR DELIBERATION OVER THE 8-MONTH STUDY PERIOD. IN ADDITION, THREE PUBLIC HEARINGS WERE HELD IN SEPARATE CITIES TO OBTAIN TESTIMONY FROM EXPERTS AND VICTIMS. EFFORTS WERE CONCENTRATED IN THE AREA OF MATE ABUSE, WHILE TWO SUBCOMMITTEES, ONE ON CHILD ABUSE AND THE OTHER ON PARENT ABUSE, EXAMINED THOSE PROBLEMS. A LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM AND ITS POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS WAS FOUND AMONG LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES, AND VICTIMS THEMSELVES. LACK OF DATA HAMPERED THE TASK FORCE IN ITS DETERMINATION OF THE EXTENT OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE. RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE SUGGESTIONS ABOUT THE SELECTION AND TRAINING OF LAW ENFORCEMENT RECRUITS, AS WELL AS ADVANCED TRAINING. POLICIES ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED TO INSURE THE SAFETY OF POLICE OFFICERS AND DISPUTANTS. LEGAL RECOMMENDATIONS WOULD AFFECT THE CRIMINAL CODE AND LEGAL EDUCATION. IMPROVEMENTS IN SOCIAL SERVICE ASSISTANCE, PROTECTIVE SERVICES FOR ADULTS, A STATEWIDE INFORMATION PROGRAM, MARRIAGE AND FAMILY EDUCATION, AND CRISIS INTERVENTION EDUCATION ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED. APPENDIXES INCLUDE DATA ON COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN OHIO, FUNDING SOURCES FOR IMPROVED SOCIAL SERVICES, DATA ON STATISTICAL SURVEY, FORMS RECOMMENDED FOR RECORDKEEPING, AND A BIBLIOGRAPHY. (RCB)