NCJ Number
137672
Date Published
1992
Length
41 pages
Annotation
This is the edited transcript of a 1991 seminar on "Violence Against Women: Addressing a Global Problem."
Abstract
Major topics discussed in this report are an overview of violence against women worldwide, community responses to violence against women, and reforms in the criminal justice system. Panel dialogs with the audience are included as well. Seminar content reflects the fact that violence against women knows no boundaries in culture, race, or class. It emphasizes that violence is the single greatest cause of injury to women in a number of countries and reviews a wide range of related issues, such as criminal justice reform and child welfare. It concludes that violence against women is linked to culturally embedded notions of men's and women's roles in society and national images of dignity, honor, and tradition. Such cultural traditions are difficult to address through programming. A diverse group of researchers and activities focus on two strategic approaches: community responses to violence against women and reforms in the criminal justice system. Among the topics discussed in criminal justice reform are victim-witness legislation that improves the treatment of women victims in case processing and training for criminal justice professionals that focuses on the prevalence, causes, and sensitive and effective response to violence against women.