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Community Services for Abused Women: A Review of Perceived Usefulness and Efficacy

NCJ Number
164609
Journal
Journal of Family Violence Volume: 11 Issue: 4 Dated: (December 1996) Pages: 315-329
Author(s)
J S Gordon
Date Published
1996
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This review of 12 studies examines both the types of community and professional services that abused women most often contact and how useful and effective the women perceive those services to be.
Abstract
These studies show that police, social-service agencies, clergy, crisis lines, physicians, psychotherapists, women's groups, and lawyers are the sources of assistance abused women most often contact; however, the studies show that some of these services are not necessarily perceived as very useful or effective. Women tend to contact different services, depending on the type of abuse suffered. Abused women report that crisis lines, women's groups, social workers, psychotherapists, and physicians are helpful most of the time for all types of abuse; victims view police officers, lawyers, and clergy as not helpful in most types of abuse. Findings of this review suggest the need for education of professionals and community service providers in understanding the needs of abused women. 1 table and 30 references

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