Surviving Domestic Violence: A Safety and Empowerment Guide for Battered Women

• NCJ Number: 120508
• Author(s): C Cuevas; K Dankowski; P Giggans; E Ledley
• Date Published: 1989
• Length: 13 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: California Office of Criminal Justice Planning
• Corporate Author: Peace Over Violence; The Family Violence Project of Jewish Family Service
• Publication Format: Document
• Publication Type: Citizen Involvement Material
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This guide for women who are in abusive relationships and want the abuse to stop provides a first step toward safety.

Abstract

Using a question-and-answer format, this guide answers some of the most commonly asked questions by abused women and lists agencies and people that can answer other questions. After defining a battered woman, the guide profiles a batterer, describes what the police can do, and defines a restraining order. A wheel figure illustrates how abusive partners use various forms of sexual, social, and psychological abuse to maintain power and control over their partners. Some resources described for battered women are shelters, restraining orders, police, relocation, monitored visitation of the children, self-defense training, home safety, and document security. After examining why women stay in abusive relationships, the guide explains how to develop a safety plan, self-defense and the law, and safety strategies for battered women. The guide also explains what to look for in a counselor/therapist, when a lawyer is needed, whether rape can be committed by a husband or boyfriend, and the abuse of teenagers.