NCJ Number
195125
Date Published
1997
Length
0 pages
Annotation
This documentary describes the lives of three women murdered in relationship violence by their husbands or boyfriends.
Abstract
One of every two women is abused at some time, and one third are battered repeatedly. Violence occurs at least once in over 65 percent of all marriages. Battering accounts for more injuries to women than car accidents, muggings, and rapes. Battering occurs among all races and classes, and it occurs between same sex partners. The purpose of this video was to give voices to the families of two women who were killed by their spouses, and a 16-year-old girl who was killed by a friend. These victims of violence were not the stereotypes of battered women. Helen was a high school teacher and mother whose husband had an affair. Roberta was a nurse and mother who married young and hid the fact that she was being abused until her husband finally killed her. Beth was a teenager who had a friend who was “acting out” and killed her because she wouldn’t date him. The relatives of these victims either did or did not know of their situations and never suspected they were in danger. Their advice was to ask more questions of battered women instead of waiting for them to come for help. The silence of the victims prevented them from delving into their private lives. The battering should not be viewed as a private, family matter. The video steers away from the stereotypes of battered women as low-income women of color who are drug abusers and helpless victims. It deliberately excludes all but necessary references to the murderers and descriptions of their acts of violence.