NCJ Number
191898
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: December 2001 Pages: 401-420
Date Published
December 2001
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the design and outcomes of a research project that investigated the similarities and differences between women adjudicated as domestic violence "batterers" and women identified as domestic violence "victims."
Abstract
The project used a nonexperimental research design. Four study variables were used in the research: victim-related exposure to violence, service-use history, trauma symptomology levels, and client label (victim or perpetrator). The total sample included 118 participants (67 women enrolled in batterers intervention programs and 51 women receiving victim services related to domestic violence). Categorical data such as demographics and prior social service use were collected with a questionnaire. Exposure to violence was measured by using six items from the Life Experiences Survey that measure victim-related exposure to violence. Trauma symptomology was measured with the Trauma Symptom Checklist-33. Data were collected over a 3-month period. Categorical data were examined by using Chi-square procedures, Cramer's V, and Phi analysis. The use of independent t tests allowed for the means of the two groups to be studied and for correlations between the dependent variables to be established. The findings show group similarities in the areas of exposure to violence and social service use. Although both groups reported high levels of trauma symptomology, "victim" scores were significantly higher. Given the findings of this research, it might be appropriate for practitioners working with women in batterer intervention programs to screen for trauma symptomology and, when appropriate, offer trauma-related services to their clients. Screening to ascertain the background and trauma profile of each woman referred to batterer intervention programs might be initiated before assigning clients to treatment. 5 tables and 52 references