NCJ Number
50802
Journal
Social Casework Volume: 59 Issue: 5 Dated: (MAY 1978) Pages: 266-271
Date Published
1978
Length
6 pages
Annotation
AN INVENTORY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AVAILABLE TO BATTERED WIVES IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA IS GIVEN. THE SERVICES ARE CLASSIFIED AS EMERGENCY, TRANSITIONAL, LEGAL, COUNSELING, PUBLIC INFORMATION, AND PLANNING.
Abstract
THIS OVERVIEW BRIEFLY DESCRIBES THE TYPE OF AID USUALLY FOUND IN EACH CATEGORY AND THE TYPES OF GROUPS OFFERING SUCH AID. POLICE DEPARTMENTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO ENCOUNTER THE BATTERED WIFE FIRST. FEW ARE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM, BUT SOME ARE SETTING UP SPECIAL PROCEDURES FOR HANDLING FAMILY CRISIS INTERVENTION. USUALLY AID IS OF AN EMERGENCY NATURE WITH REFERRAL TO A COMMUNITY AGENCY. SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE INCORPORATED FOLLOWUP INTO THEIR PROTOCOL. HOSPITALS ARE BEGINNING TO SET UP UNITS TO DEAL WITH BATTERED WIVES. CRISIS LINES AND INFORMATION CENTERS SET UP BY CONCERNED COMMUNITY GROUPS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE. A GROWING MOVEMENT IS THE PROVISION OF EMERGENCY HOUSING FOR BATTERED WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN. SUCH HOUSING, WITH FINANCIAL HELP, GENERALLY IS PROVIDED BY COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS OR RELIGIOUS GROUPS. SUCH GROUPS USUALLY CAN ARRANGE FOR LEGAL AID ALSO. COUNSELING SERVICES ARE REVIEWED. THE WEAKEST FEATURE OF EXISTING WIFE ABUSE SERVICES IS THE SMALL NUMBER OF MEN REQUESTING HELP. THE PRESENT SYSTEM FOCUSES ALMOST COMPLETELY ON THE VICTIM AND CONTRIBUTES LITTLE TO THE UNDERSTANDING OF WIFE ABUSE OR TO METHODS WHICH CAN BE USED TO PREVENT IT. THERE IS ALSO NEED FOR PUBLIC INFORMATION AND PLANNING TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF THE MANY SERVICES ALREADY OFFERED AND TO AVOID DUPLICATION. THE BIGGEST PROBLEMS ARE THE LACK OF EMERGENCY SHELTERS AND LIMITED FUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE AID TO THE VICTIM. FOOTNOTES CONTAIN REFERENCES. (GLR)