SECONDARY BATTERING - BREAKING THE CYCLE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

• NCJ Number: 45497
• Author(s): M D PAGELOW
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 37 pages
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: PRESENTED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOCIOLOGISTS FOR WOMEN IN SOCIETY SECTION OF THE AMERICAN SOCIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION, SEPTEMBER 5-9, 1977

Annotation

REASONS BEHIND THE WILLINGNESS OF SOME WOMEN TO REMAIN IN RELATIONSHIPS INVOLVING PHYSICAL ABUSE BY THEIR MATES ARE EXPLORED.

Abstract

THE DISCUSSION DRAWS ON DATA GATHERED IN A STUDY OF 20 BATTERED WOMEN WHO SOUGHT THE SERVICES OF THE WOMEN'S TRANSITIONAL LIVING CENTER IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIF. THE STUDY ALSO INCORPORATED INTERVIEWS WITH MEDICAL PERSONNEL, LAWYERS, A JUDGE, SOCIAL WORKERS, CLERGYMEN, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS WHO COME INTO CONTACT WITH BATTERED WOMEN. IN ADDITION THESE DATA, A NUMBER OF THEORIES AND PRESPECTIVES PERTAINING TO VIOLENCE IN GENERAL AND TO THE PHYSICAL ABUSE OF WOMEN BY MEN IN PARTICULAR ARE CITED. THE DISCUSSION TOUCHES ON CAUSES OF BATTERING AND THE INTITIAL RESPONSE OF VICTIMS, BUT FOCUSES ON THE CONTINUED EXPOSURE OF SOME VICTIMS TO THE BATTERING SITUATION. IT IS HYPOTHESIZED THAT BATTERED WOMEN WITH FEWER RESOURCES, MORE NEGATIVE INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE, AND MORE TRADITIONAL IDEOLOGY ARE MORE LIKELY TO REMAIN IN RELATIONSHIPS WITH BATTERERS AND ARE LESS LIKELY TO TAKE ACTIONS THAT SIGNIFICANTLY ALTER THEIR SITUATION. THE NEED FOR FURTHER TESTING OF THIS PROPOSITION IS NOTED. A LIST OF REFERENCES IS INCLUDED.