NCJ Number
67316
Editor(s)
F MACLEOD
Date Published
1979
Length
98 pages
Annotation
FINDINGS, RECOMMENDATIONS, AND RESEARCH MATERIALS OF THE BRITISH COLUMBIA TASK FORCE ON FAMILY VIOLENCE (CANADA), WHICH FOCUSED ON CHILD ABUSE, WIFE BATTERING, LEGAL ISSUES, AND EDUCATION, ARE PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE TASK FORCE WAS ORGANIZED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE UNITED WAY OF THE LOWER MAINLAND TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE 1977 SYMPOSIUM ON FAMILY VIOLENCE HELD IN VANCOUVER, CANADA, AND OPERATED FROM MAY 1977 TO JANUARY 1979. MEMBERS INCLUDED REPRESENTATIVES FROM 40 PROVINCIAL AND LOCAL SOCIAL AGENCIES, WOMEN'S ORGANIZATIONS, MEDICAL, LEGAL, AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, AND THE UNITED WAY. THE TASK FORCE ORGANIZED ITS WORK AROUND TWO MAJOR TOPICS, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT AND WIFE BATTERING. TWO ADDITIONAL WORKING GROUPS WERE ESTABLISHED TO EXAMINE LAWS REGARDING BATTERED WIVES AND TO DEVLOP WAYS TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT FAMILY VIOLENCE. COMMON ELEMENTS IN ALL TYPES OF FAMILY VIOLENCE WERE IDENTIFIED, INCLUDING THE ACCEPTANCE OF VIOLENCE IN A FAMILY SITUATION THAT WOULD BE CONDEMNED IN PUBLIC, THE IMBALANCE OF POWER IN FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS, AND THE CYCLE OF VICTIMIZED CHILDREN BECOMING VIOLENT ADULTS. THE REPORT ALSO CONCLUDED THAT ALCOHOL ABUSE DID NOT EXPLAIN WIFE BATTERING OR CHILD ABUSE AND THAT PROFESSIONAL PRACTITIONERS WERE OFTEN RELUCTANT TO INTERVENE IN VIOLENT DOMESTIC SITUATIONS. OBJECTIVES, ACTIVITIES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE SUMMARIZED FOR EACH WORKING GROUP. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN A LIST OF PARTICIPANTS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIPS, AS WELL AS REPORTS ON A WOMEN'S SUPPORT PROGRAM FOR BATTERED WIVES, A SHELTER FACILITY FOR BATTERED WOMEN, AND SUPPORT GROUPS FOR ABUSING MEN. ALSO INCLUDED ARE THE TASK FORCE'S STATEMENT ON PROPOSED CHILD WELFARE LEGISLATION AND A DESCRIPTION OF WORKSHOPS ON FAMILY VIOLENCE CONDUCTED BY THE EDUCATION WORKING GROUP. A LIST OF RESOURCE MATERIALS AND PUBLICATIONS IS PROVIDED. (MJM)