NCJ Number
57929
Date Published
1978
Length
7 pages
Annotation
THE WOMAN'S CENTER, AN EMERGENCY SHELTER FOR BATTERED WOMEN RUN BY THE YOUNG WOMENS CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION SOUTH BEND, IND., COORDINATES A NETWORK OF PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SERVICES TO AID THE ENTIRE FAMILY.
Abstract
THE WOMANS'S CENTER BEGAN BECAUSE THERE WAS NO PLACE FOR A BATTERED WOMAN TO GO EXCEPT TO THE POLICE OR TO A HOSPITAL EMERGENCY ROOM. BETWEEN MARCH 1, 1977, AND FEBRUARY 28, 1978, THE SOUTH BEND POLICE DEPARTMENT RECEIVED 1,873 'FAMILY FIGHT' CALLS, OFFICIAL REPORTS WERE FILED FOR 74, AND 4 REQUIRED A RETURN VISIT. ANALYSIS SHOWED THAT DURING A 3-MONTH PERIOD THERE WERE 463 INITIAL CALLS, 39 CALLING TWICE, 7 CALLING THREE TIMES, AND 2 CALLING FOUR TIMES. DURING THE YEAR, MORE THAN 200 BATTERED WOMEN SOUGHT ASSISTANCE FROM AGENCIES IN ST. JOSEPH COUNTY. THE HOSPITAL REPORTED TREATING A DOMESTIC ASSAULT VICTIM ONCE EVERY 2 TO 3 DAYS, WHILE IN 1976 LEGAL SERVICES PROGRAM OF NORTHERN INDIANA, INC., REPRESENTED ABOUT 220 WOMEN WHO WERE SEEKING DIVORCE BECAUSE OF PHYSICAL ABUSE. THE SHELTER PROVIDES 24-HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE, EMERGENCY FOSTER FAMILY HOMES, COUNSELING, FAMILY LIFE EDUCATION, DAY CARE, ALCOHOL AND DRUG TREATMENT, COMMUNITY EDUCATION, AND INSERVICE TRAINING FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE, SOCIAL SERVICES, AND MENTAL HEALTH PERSONNEL. THE CENTER'S BIGGEST PROBLEM HAS BEEN FUNDING. PASSAGE OF LEGISLATION MAKING FEDERAL GRANTS AVAILABLE FOR SUCH A PROGRAM WOULD BE OF GREAT BENEFIT NOT ONLY TO THE WOMAN'S CENTER OF THE YWCA IN SOUTH BEND, BUT TO SIMILAR PROGRAMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES. FOR RELATED DOCUMENTS, SEE NCJ 57922-57928 AND NCJ 57930-57941. (GLR)