NCJ Number
55466
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE RAPID INTERVENTION PROJECT OF THE NEW YORK CITY FAMILY COURT IS DESCRIBED. THIS UNIT PROVIDED IMMEDIATE PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF ALL PARTIES INVOLVED IN A SPOUSE ABUSE OR CHILD ABUSE CASE.
Abstract
THE PROJECT OPERATED FROM 1972 TO 1975. IT BEGAN WHEN FAMILY COURT JUDGES LOCATED IN THE SAME BUILDING AS THE COURT MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ASKED MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL FOR IMMEDIATE EVALUATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. THE FORMAL PROJECT ASSIGNED MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL TO EACH BRANCH OF THE FAMILY COURT. THESE TEAMS OF EXPERTS PROVIDED EMERGENCY SERVICE FOR CRISIS EVALUATION AND FOLLOWUP. MOST CASES CAME THROUGH THE COURT OR WERE REFERRED BY INTAKE PROBATION, THE AGENCY WHICH SCREENS CASES BEFORE A COURT HEARING. THE PROJECT CONCEPT RAN INTO SEVERAL DIFFICULTIES. THE FIRST CONSTITUTED THE APPROPRIATE RECOMMENDATION IN SPOUSE ABUSE CASES. UNLESS THE WIFE WAS WILLING TO LEAVE THE HOME, LITTLE COULD BE DONE. IN CHILD ABUSE CASES REMOVAL OF THE CHILD COULD SOMETIMES BE ACCOMPLISHED SAFELY, AND IN CHILD NEGLECT CASES SOCIAL SERVICES INTERVENTION WAS OFTEN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE. BUT IN THE CASE OF THE BATTERED WIFE, OFFICIAL COURT INTERVENTION OFTEN MADE MATTERS WORSE. THE FINAL SECTION OF THE PAPER ADDRESSES THE PHILOSOPHICAL PROBLEMS INHERENT IN COURT HANDLING OF DOMESTIC ASSAULT CASES. WHILE COURTS DO NOT HESITATE TO PUT A MAN IN JAIL WHO ASSAULTS A STRANGER, THEY ARE MOST RELUCTANT TO JAIL A MAN WHO ASSAULTS HIS WIFE. THIS CONFLICT MUST BE RESOLVED BEFORE THE COURT CAN FUNCTION EFFECTIVELY. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE LEGAL MODEL MAY NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR SPOUSE ABUSE CASES. (GLR)