NCJ Number
62087
Date Published
1978
Length
77 pages
Annotation
SAMPLES OF DOCUMENTS, ARTICLES, AND REPORTS FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES DISCUSS THE SCOPE AND CAUSES OF ATTITUDES ON, AND OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO WIFE BATTERING.
Abstract
THE PRESENTATIONS INCLUDE (1) A FACT SHEET ON WIFE ABUSE; (2) AN ACCOUNT FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL RECORD OF JUNE 21, 1977, ON THE INTRODUCTION OF THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT OF 1977; (3) MAGAZINE ARTICLES DETAILING WAYS BATTERED WIVES CAN BE HELPED AND WIFE BEATING PREVENTED; (4) NEWSPAPER ARTICLES DESCRIBING HOW NEW YORK CITY AND MILWAUKEE, WIS., HAVE PROVIDED SHELTERS FOR BATTERED WIVES; (5) REPORTS HAVING TO DO WITH OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO WIFE BATTERING AS A SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL PROBLEM; (6) A SKIT DESIGNED TO STIMULATE A BROAD RANGE OF GROUP DISCUSSION ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF WIFE BATTERING AND OFFICIAL RESPONSE TO IT; AND (7) A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF FILMS AND PUBLICATIONS. ALL OF THE PUBLICATIONS PRESENT WIFE BATTERING AS A SIGNIFICANT SOCIAL PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN LARGELY IGNORED BY THE PUBLIC AND OFFICIALDOM BECAUSE OF CULTURAL ATTITUDES TOWARD MARITAL BEHAVIOR AS A PRIVATE MATTER AND THE PREVALENCE OF THE VIEW THAT A WIFE MUST BE SUBMISSIVE TO HER HUSBAND OR ACCEPT THE CONSEQUENCES. THE ECONOMIC AND PSYCHOLOGICAL DEPENDENCE OF MANY BATTERED WIVES ON THEIR ABUSING HUSBANDS IS FREQUENTLY NOTED AS A FACTOR MAKING EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION DIFFICULT. RECENT LEGISLATIVE AND SOCIAL ACTION TO HELP BATTERED WIVES IS DESCRIBED. (RCB)