NCJ Number
152495
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 9 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1994) Pages: 493-502
Date Published
1994
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Researchers have indicated the importance of neighbors in reporting spouse abuse, but little is known about the extent of neighbors' awareness of the problem or whether they informally provide respite to victims; the current study hypothesized that neighbors who viewed relationships with neighbors as important would be more likely to have knowledge of spouse abuse and provide victim respite.
Abstract
A random telephone survey in Kentucky was conducted in 1991 that involved 650 respondents from predominantly rural areas. Of the sample, 53 percent were female; 66.5 percent were married; 24 percent were separated, widowed or divorced; 9 percent were never married; 38 percent had a high school education; 39.5 percent had more than a high school education; 91 percent were white; and most had incomes between $10,000 and $30,000. It was found that 9.8 percent strongly suspected their neighbors of domestic violence and that 4.9 percent had provided victim respite. Respondents who knew of child abuse by neighbors were also likely to know about spouse abuse. Being a welfare recipient and living in subsidized housing were associated with knowing about spouse abuse by neighbors. Respondents who took in a neighbor's abused spouse were more likely to be parents of minor children and to have taken in a neighbor's abused child. The hypothesis relating demographic variables to the importance of neighbor relationships was only partially confirmed. Data indicate the need to further explore the role of neighbors in domestic violence, with the goal of establishing prevention and intervention programs. 19 references and 2 tables