NCJ Number
46163
Journal
Victimology Volume: 2 Issue: 3-4 Dated: (1977-1978) Pages: 472-476
Date Published
1977
Length
5 pages
Annotation
THE HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT TO HELP BATTERED WOMEN IN WEST GERMANY IS TRACED, AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF REFUGES FOR THEM IS DESCRIBED.
Abstract
BEFORE 1974, NO ONE WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM OF BATTERED WIVES IN WEST GERMANY. THIS WAS PROBABLY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE WOMENS'S LIBERATION MOVEMENT THERE WAS SLOW IN EXERTING AN INFLUENCE. THIS STUDY DEALS WITH THE WOMEN IN A SECTION OF BERLIN WHERE THE ALCOHOLISM AND SUICIDE RATES ARE THE HIGHEST IN THE WORLD. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR A WOMAN TO LODGE A COMPLAINT AND GET A DIVORCE ON THE GROUNDS OF PHYSICAL CRUELTY, AND SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES OFFER LITTLE VICTIM ASSISTANCE. THE AUTHOR UNDERTOOK A CAMPAIGN TO START A REFUGE IN BERLIN FOR BATTERED WOMEN WHO HAD LEFT THEIR HUSBANDS AND WHO HAD NO PLACE ELSE TO GO. THE REFUGE, WHICH WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1976, IS THE ONLY RESEARCH PROJECT IN GERMANY ESTABLISHED TO STUDY THE PROBLEM OF WIFE-BEATING. WOMEN AND THEIR CHILDREN ARE HOUSED THERE FOR UP TO 6 MONTHS; DAY-CARE AND KINDERGARTEN SERVICES ARE PROVIDED FOR THE CHILDREN OF WORKING MOTHERS. THE WOMEN ARE 'REHABILILTATED' SO THEY CAN REENTER SOCIETY CONFIDENTLY AND ENERGETICALLY. THE CHILDREN OF THESE WOMEN HAVE VARIED PROBLEMS, RANGING FROM AUTISM TO VIOLENCE AND 'MACHO' BEHAVIOR. THREE OTHER REFUGES HAVE SINCE OPENED IN GERMANY, ALL WITHOUT PUBLIC FUNDING. THE AUTHOR STATES THAT THE GERMAN WOMEN ARE JUST AT THE BEGINNING OF A LONG CAMPAIGN TO COPE WITH THE PROBLEM OF WIFE-BEATING. REFERENCES ARE PROVIDED. (BAC)