We wished to ascertain abused women's perspectives on mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence. A consecutive sample of 161 abused women accessing the criminal justice system were asked six questions. Most women (81%) thought there should be a law making the nurse or doctor report the abuse, with less than half of the women (45%) reporting they would have been at greater risk for abuse following a mandatory report. Although these 161 abused women support mandatory reporting of partner abuse, it remains unclear if such a law would deter further abuse. Outcome and evaluation studies of mandatory reporting laws are urgently needed.
To compare the severity of violence reported by women and men filing assault charges against an intimate partner, 100 complainants (90 women and 10 men) were interviewed. Measurement instruments included the Severity of Violence Against Women Scales, Danger Assessment Scale, Stalking Victimization Survey, and a quality of life index. Using independent t tests, no significant differences existed between male and female demographic characteristics. The majority of victims were African American, employed, and in current relationships with the abuser. Similarly, no significant differences existed between genders for any of the measurement instruments, including quality of life indices. Although incidence reports of intimate partner, nonlethal violence is consistently and appreciably higher for females, this study indicates that the severity and extent of the violence does not differ by gender, and neither do the associated quality of life indices. Clearly, violence against intimates is an equally serious issue for both men and women.
One hundred eighty abused women presenting for protective orders or to file assault charges were interviewed. The Severity of Violence Against Women Scale measured threats of abuse and actual physical violence. A questionnaire measured stalking. Additionally, the women were asked if the perpetrator was drunk daily and/or used illicit drugs. Perpetrators were divided into four groups: no alcohol or drug use (33%); alcohol only (19%); drugs only (18%); and alcohol and drugs (30%). Using multivariate analysis and controlling for demographic variables, physical abuse was significantly (p = .005) higher for women with perpetrators who used drugs only (x = 60.4) compared with perpetrators who used alcohol only (x = 47.7). Stalking was significantly (p = .001) higher for perpetrators who used alcohol and drugs (x = 8.2) compared with perpetrators who did not use alcohol or drugs (x = 5.6). To enable abused women to promote their safety, an understanding of the association between substance use and specific types of intimate partner violence is required.
To evaluate if abused women's use of the police reduced further violence experienced, 90 abused women were interviewed at a large urban police department and followed for 6 months. Frequency and severity of violence as well as danger of homicide were measured before and at 3 and 6 months after women sought police help. Women seeking police help had significantly reduced threats of abuse (F = 124.62, df = 2,81; p < .0005), actual abuse (F = 90.11, df = 2,81; p < .0005), and danger of being killed (F = 188.69, df = 2,81; p < .0005) by her intimate partner. Bonferroni post hoc tests showed that significantly fewer threats of abuse, physical abusive acts, and risk indicators for homicide had occurred from prefiling to 3 months (p <.0005) and prefiling to 6 months (p <.0005). The data indicate that referring abused women to the police is an appropriate intervention.
To describe the criminal justice outcomes and violence experienced after women seek to file assault charges against an intimate partner, 90 women were interviewed and followed for six months. Threats of violence, physical assault, stalking, and danger were measured by interview questionnaires at the time of filing charges and at 3 and 6 months later. Among the 90 women, 48% had insufficient evidence for charges; of the 52% making charges, 11% dropped charges, 37% of the perpetrators were arrested, and 4% remained fugitives. With the exception of danger at 3 months for one group of women, levels of violence did not differ by charges accepted or perpetrator arrested at 3 and 6 months. The act of women attempting to file assault charges, whether the charges were accepted or the perpetrator arrested, resulted in equally lower levels of future violence.
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