NCJ Number
65506
Date Published
1978
Length
9 pages
Annotation
TESTIMONY BY A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORKERS IS PRESENTED DEALING WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE TESTIMONY IS BEFORE THE SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE ON CHILD AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT.
Abstract
IN ADDITION TO THE BATTERED SPOUSE SYNDROME, NEW STUDIES IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE POINT TO SIBLING ABUSE AS A SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF FAMILY VIOLENCE. THIS VIOLENCE IS INJURIOUS TO THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE BECAUSE THERE IS GROWING EVIDENCE THAT VIOLENT BEHAVIOR PATTERNS ARE LEARNED IN THE HOME. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATION, WHICH ARE BASED ON ENCOURAGEMENT AND COMMITMENT TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED SYSTEM OF SERVICES BY TRAINED PERSONNEL, PROFESSIONALS AND VOLUNTEERS, INCLUDE LOCATING THE NEW PROGRAM WITHIN THE NEWLY REORGANIZED ADMINISTRATION ON CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES. THIS AVOIDS FRAGMENTATION OF ANOTHER SOCIAL SERVICE PROGRAM. DIRECT PROGRAM EFFORTS AT PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF FAMILY VIOLENCE AS A FIRST STEP IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INTEGRATED SUPPORT SYSTEM SHOULD BE MADE. THE SYSTEM MUST EFFECTIVELY MOBILIZE A VAST ARRAY OF AGENCIES TO HANDLE CRISIS SITUATIONS IN VULNERABLE FAMILIES. ROLES SHOULD BE PROVIDED FOR TRAINED VOLUNTEERS AS WELL AS PROFESSIONAL HELP BY TRAINING BOTH GROUPS IN FAMILY THERAPY AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRISIS INTERVENTION TECHNIQUES, AND RESEARCH SHOULD BE DIRECTED AT NOT ONLY DISCOVERING THE UNDERLYING CAUSES OF FAMILY VIOLENCE BUT ALSO SHOULD INCLUDE A SYSTEMATIC SERIES OF DEMONSTRATION GRANTS TO DETERMINE THE BEST FOCAL POINT WITHIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR DELIVERY OF RESEARCH SERVICES. IN SUMMARY, SUPPORT IS URGED FOR LEGISLATION THAT PLACES A NEW FEDERAL PROGRAM ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITHIN AN AGENCY WITH ESTABLISHED LINKS TO OTHER RELATED FEDERAL EFFORTS, ENCOURAGES A COOPERATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS, AND PROPOSES SYSTEMATIC INVESTIGATION INTO RESEARCH AND SERVICES COMPONENTS NEEDED AT BOTH NATIONAL AND LOCAL LEVELS.