STATEMENT OF THE HONORABLE NEWTON I STEERS, JR, MARYLAND (FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 1978 - SEE NCJ-57922)

• NCJ Number: 57937
• Author(s): N I STEERS
• Date Published: 1978
• Length: 6 pages
• Corporate Author: US Congress
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Survey
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: MARCH 16, 1978

Annotation

LEGISLATION ADDRESSING THE PROBLEMS OF FAMILY VIOLENCE SHOULD FOCUS ON BATTERED WOMEN BECAUSE WOMEN CONSTITUTE THE LARGEST NUMBER OF VICTIMS. MOST FEDERAL FUNDING SHOULD BE EARMARKED FOR SHELTERS AND TRAINING.

Abstract

THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT ACT TRIES TO MEET THE NEEDS OF BATTERED WIVES BY MANDATING THAT 60 PERCENT OF ALL FUNDS WILL GO FOR DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMS WHICH EITHER DIRECTLY HELP ABUSED SPOUSES OR WHICH SET UP TRAINING PROGRAMS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND MENTAL HEALTH WORKERS. THE REMAINING 40 PERCENT IS DIVIDED AMONG AN INFORMATION CLEARINGHOUSE, RESEARCH, A STUDY OF STATE LAWS, TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, AND EVALUATION. SMALL NONPROFIT GROUPS WHICH PIONEERED IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF BATTERED WOMEN SHOULD NOT LOSE OUT IN THE AWARDING OF GRANTS. A COORDINATING UNIT SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED SO THAT EXISTING FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAMS WHICH EXIST IN A HOST OF FEDERAL AGENCIES ARE NOT FRAGMENTED. PUBLICITY IS NEEDED TO MAKE THE PUBLIC MORE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. WHILE CONCERNED CITIZENS SHOULD ATTEMPT TO CHANGE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS TO MAKE THEM MORE RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF BATTERED SPOUSES. PRIVATE FUNDS ARE INSUFFICIENT TO OVERCOME AN INGRAINED SOCIAL INDIFFERENCE TO THE PLIGHT OF BATTERED WOMEN. PUBLIC AND PRIVATE COOPERATION IS NEEDED. AN APPENDED TABLE GIVES A STATE-BY-STATE SURVEY OF THE NUMBER OF CRISIS SHELTERS AND OTHER PROGRAMS FOR ABUSED SPOUSES. FOR RELATED ARTICLES, SEE NCJ 57922-57936 AND NCJ 57938-57941. (GLR)