NO PLACE TO GO - THE SOCIAL DYNAMICS OF MARITAL VIOLENCE (FROM BATTERED WOMEN - A PSYCHOSOCIOLOGICAL STUDY OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 1977 BY MARIA ROY - SEE NCJ-45266)

• NCJ Number: 45269
• Author(s): R J GELLES
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 18 pages
• Grant Number(s): MH 15521; MH 24002
• Sponsoring Agency: US Dept of Health, Education, and Welfare
• Corporate Author: Van Nostrand Reinhold
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

VIOLENT SITUATIONS WITHIN A FAMILY ARE EXAMINED, INCLUDING UNDER WHAT CONDTIONS THEY OCCUR, WHAT PRECIPITATES THEM, AND THEIR AFTERMATH, BASED ON INTERVIEWS WITH 80 FAMILIES.

Abstract

THE IN-DEPTH UNSTRUCTURED INTERVIEWS WERE CONDUCTED IN TWO CITIES IN NEW HAMPSHIRE WITH 20 FAMILIES SUSPECTED OF USING VIOLENCE (CHOSEN FROM THE FILES OF A PRIVATE SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY), 20 FAMILIES SELECTED BY EXAMINATION OF POLICE BLOTTERS (CALLS FOR BREAKING UP A VIOLENT DISPUTE), AND 40 FAMILIES NEIGHBORING EACH 'AGENCY' OR 'POLICE' FAMILY. IT IS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THE SAMPLE WAS NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF ANY LARGER POPULATION DUE TO THE METHOD OF SELECTION. THE INTERVIEWS LOCATED 44 FAMILIES IN WHICH VIOLENCE BETWEEN SPOUSES HAD OCCURRED IN THE MARRIAGE. INFORMATION WAS COLLECTED REGARDING PLACE OF BEATINGS; TIME OF DAY, WEEK, AND YEAR OF THE BEATINGS; PRESENCE OF OTHER PEOPLE; EVENTS PRECIPITATING VIOLENCE; ROLE OF THE VICTIM; REACTION OF THE OFFENDER; WHY WOMEN STAY; SEVERITY AND FREQUENCY OF BEATINGS; EXPERIENCE WITH VIOLENCE AS A CHILD; RESOURCES OF THE VICTIM; AND EXTERNAL CONSTRAINTS. THE SURVEY SHOWED THAT BATTERED WOMEN REALIZE THEY HAVE FEW PLACES TO GO AND FEW RESOURCES TO AID IN THEIR FLIGHT. TEMPORARY SHELTERS AND COUNSELING FOR BATTERED WOMEN ARE TWO INITIAL STEPS WHICH EASE THE BURDEN OF BEATINGS, BUT CHANGES OF A BROADER SCOPE, E.G., CHANGES IN LEGAL STATUTES, POLICE TRAINING, AND SOCIAL ATTITUDES, ARE NECESSARY. TABULAR STATISTICS AND REFERENCES ARE INCLUDED. (DAS)