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Family Violence Initiatives:
A Domestic Policy Proposal
December 10, 1992
Submitted by:
Leslye E. Orloff, Esq.
Director of Program Development
Ayuda, Inc.
1736 Columbia Road, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 462-7915
(202) 387-0434
Family Violence Initiatives:
A Domestic Policy Proposal
Family violence is a pervasive societal problem. Each year 4 million American women
are battered by their husbands or partners. 21% to 30% of American college students report
at least one occurrence of physical assault from a dating partner. 37% of all obstetrical patients
across race, class and educational lines are physically abused while pregnant. FBI data
indicates that 30% of all female homicide victims each year are killed by their husbands or
boyfriends.
Family violence results in more injuries to women requiring medical treatment than
rape, auto accidents and muggings combined. Up to 35% of women visiting hospital
emergency rooms are there due to injuries sustained as a result of family violence. The danger
of domestic abuse increases rather than decreases upon separation. In 75% of domestic assaults
reported to law enforcement, the victims is already separated or divorced from the abuser at
the time of the incident. There is a 32% probability that a battered woman will be re-
victimized by her abuser within the six months following any assault.
While many view family violence as solely a women's issue, and it is true that the vast
majority of family violence victims are women, family violence has profound negative effects
on all who are subject to it, as victims or as witnesses men, women and children. There is
a strong correlation between spouse abuse and child abuse. When children are present in an
abusive home, the children will also be abused over 70% of the time. Witnessing violence in
the home detrimentally effects children whether or not they are subject to physical abuse
themselves. Children who witness abuse at home have significant emotional and behavioral
problems withdrawal, suicidal gestures, insomnia, anxiety, phobias, difficulty concentrating
in school, depression, feelings of worthlessness, decreased cognitive abilities, truancy, temper
tantrums, and violence toward others. Children growing up in violent homes are: 24 times
more likely to commit sexual assault crimes, 6 times more likely to commit suicide, 50% abuse
drugs and alcohol and 74% commit crimes against others as children.
Men who grew up in violent homes bear the long term consequences of that experience.
Many are incarcerated early in life for attempting to intervene to stop the violence in their
homes. 63% of the young men (ages 11-20) in jail for homicide have killed their mother's
batterer. A San Quentin study of inmates who were jailed for violent crime found that 100%
of the inmates had been victims of or witnesses to family violence as children. Finally, men
who witnessed family violence as children repeat that pattern of violence against their own
intimate partners. 81% of batterers report witnessing battering in their homes as children and
the sons of the most violent parents are 1000% more likely to batter their own spouses than
sons of non-violent parents.
It is clear that family violence affects every person in America, either personally or
through the costs we pay as a society for failing to recognize and resolve an issue that
devastates the lives of millions of men, women and children each year.
The difficulty
and danger in leaving battering relationships, combined with the batterer's intimate knowledge
about every aspect of a victims' life, make solutions that will bring an end to family violence
Leslye E. Orloff - Proposal
Page 2
complex. However, we have learned much in the past 20 years about how to curb the tide of
violence in the home. The solution to domestic violence and the multitude of family issues
associations with it requires a coordinated, interdisciplinary approach.
Most often the first contact a family violence victim has with someone who can offer
help is in the health care system. Workers throughout the health care system must be trained
to identify the signs of family violence and to not only treat the victims wounds, but to offer
education about the laws and services that exist to assist family violence victims. Offering
information that family violence is a crime through the health care system sends an important
message that the victim can turn to medical professionals for support and referrals. Referrals
provide the victim with information about family violence shelters and legal services. Victims
who have secured safe shelter for themselves and their children will next need to find
permanent, safe housing and develop a level of financial security that enables them to survive
apart from their batterers. Important components of financial security include obtaining child
support, public benefits, job training, child care and ultimately employment. Securing health
insurance to cover the cost of physical treatment and counseling for the victim and her children
is critical. Victims of family violence identify lack of financial security as the most difficult
hurdle they must overcome in creating a violence free life. While family violence victims
contribute toward enlarging the number of single parent households living in poverty, family
violence victim's resilience and willingness to work to surmount difficulties makes them the
group most likely to move quickly off reliance on public benefit programs.
The Clinton Administration has an opportunity to make meaningful and fundamental
changes in the fabric of the legal, administrative and social service systems that have a
dramatic impact on families, women and children. Today's struggle to assure the security and
safety of family members in the home occupies a similar place of historical importance to the
health and well being of American society as the fight for civil rights in the 60's. Presidential
leadership today on this issue making prevention of violence in America's homes a central part
of the domestic agenda can profoundly accelerate positive social change. This presidential
strategy will also make exponentially more successful efforts by Congress, family violence
advocacy groups, organizations fighting poverty and working toward child support assurance,
the American Medical Association, national judicial organizations and others to forge solutions
to a panoply of problems that plague American families.
Among the issues affecting families, family violence is one of those very few issues in
which articulating a national policy priority can have significant immediate impact. For
example, in 1990 both houses of Congress unanimously passed House Congressional
Resolution 172 urging states to enact legislation creating a presumption against awarding
custody of children to batterers. Less than two years following the passage of H. Con. Res.
172, approximately 38 states had amended their family laws to incorporate this federal policy
statement.
President-Elect Clinton should establish a special office or commission within the White
House whose primary purpose would be to advise the President on the development of a
national policy approach on family issues and domestic violence. That office would direct
White House policy setting a new tone and sending a new message that resolution of the
Leslye E. Orloff - Proposal
Page 3
problems of family violence, child support, and other family issues are a national priority. The
office would keep abreast of the latest developments on family issues at local, state and
national levels so as to advise the administration what about policy statements that could me
made or federal agency resources that could be used toward resolution to further social change
benefitting families.
Failure to develop creative multi-dimensional solutions to family problems now, will
inevitably result in ever increasing costs associated with crime, substance abuse,
unemployment, homelessness and welfare dependency. Changing the way we respond to
family problems will not necessarily require substantially greater resources that we are
presently spending on the problems that have been caused by our failure to address family
problems in the past. Vast improvements could also be made by setting priorities for
government agencies, requiring them to marshall existing resources that can be used to benefit
family violence victims. The six most urgent priorities essential for ending family violence
are:
PASSAGE OF THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN ACT -- This Act provides for
interstate enforcement of protection orders, encourages arrest in spouse abuse cases,
authorizes funding for shelters and shelter related services, provides funding for support
services to victims of family violence and for training of police, prosecutors and judges,
requires uniform national record keeping, preserves confidentiality of victim's addresses,
and educates youth about family violence. Urging swift passage of this legislation will
put batterers on notice that family violence is a crime that will not be tolerated. The
bill provides funding for many initial costs necessary for the development of a workable
criminal justice system approach to family violence from up grading computer systems
to training police personnel, to developing model successful programs.
SECURING ADEQUATE FUNDING FOR FAMILY VIOLENCE SERVICES -- The
first step millions of spouse abuse victims take when escaping violence in the home is
to seek shelter. It is estimated that existing shelters in the United States house less than
one tenth of the family violence victims who need shelter. In addition to shelter,
victims need counseling, food, transportation, and child care. An infusion of resources
into services assisting family violence victims today, will prevent spending
exponentially more on treating recurring injuries and prosecuting and jailing the
children who grow up in violent homes. An appropriate funding level for FY 1993
would require an appropriation of $55 million dollars.
TRAINING AND JOB PLACEMENT -- For family violence victims to survive and
support their children, it is essential that they be able to obtain financial security. The
Clinton Administration could require that existing federal job training and placement
programs (i.e. Job Training Partnership Act) establish a program admission priority for
victims of violence in the home. This change would not require additional funds and
could be made within the first 100 days after taking office. Job training and placement
programs for victims should offer training for jobs with economically viable wage
earning capacities for single parent heads of household, rather than poverty level
positions.
Leslye E. Orloff - Proposal
Page 4
NATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE -- Increasingly, lack of access to health care is
becoming a growing problem that serves to keep battered spouses in violent
relationships. If fleeing a violent home risks loss of access to resources to pay for
health care, victims remain longer in violent relationships. To fully serve the needs of
family violence victims and their children a National Health Plan must pay for
emergency and long term treatment of injuries, for training of health professionals and
for the development of hospital protocols that protect family violence victims. Any
national health insurance should also pay the costs of counseling for the family violence
victim and her children and must pay the cost of indigent batterer's counseling.
HOUSING -- Temporary shelter for battered women does not begin to address the
permanent housing needs. Presently a family violence victim who cannot obtain shelter
and who cannot live safely in the marital home must become homeless before she can
qualify to obtain housing assistance on an expedited basis. The Clinton Administration
should immediately give family violence victims priority to obtain housing assistance
without requiring them to become homeless. Federal regulations could be immediately
changed to allow two or more family violence victims to live together with their
children in public housing, Section 8 housing and other federally supported programs.
The administration should also commit to developing new and rehabilitated owner-
occupied housing for battered women and children.
LEGAL SERVICES -- In addition to securing housing victims of family violence must
be able to secure legal assistance in obtaining protection orders, divorce, custody, child
support and other matters. A 1990 study by the National Institute of Justice found that
victims who turned to the courts for protection without a lawyer, received fewer
protection orders and those issued were much less effective. During the past two
administrations funding for legal services to the poor have been slashed and programs
have focused their efforts on very limited areas of law. While a few programs in some
states do some work representing family violence victims, family violence work has
never been a major priority for legal services programs. While there are a few
volunteer attorneys across the country who represent victims of family violence,
volunteers will never be able to provide all the services that are needed. The Clinton
Administration could have a profound effect upon assistance to battered spouses and
children by shifting Legal Service Corporation's priorities toward legal representation
of family violence victims and increasing funding for legal services programs.
These programs represent the most immediate needs. A comprehensive policy aimed
at family violence prevention, removal of societal and governmental impediments that
encourage family violence, and resolution of other significant family problems would include
coordinated efforts that would involve additional federal and state agencies. These should
include:
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES -- President-Elect Clinton could create an office
within HHS to administer federal funding for shelters and shelter related services.
Many HHS programs are of crucial importance to families and are important
Leslye E. Orloff - Proposal
Page 6
To ensure the health and welfare of families, women and children across the country,
we must develop a comprehensive national approach to the various interrelated problems
affecting families -- family violence, child support, child care, and poverty. Presidential
attention to the problem of family violence at this time can make a vast difference in our
ability to dramatically improve the lives of millions of men, women and children in the United
States.
There is a clear need for presidential attention to the problems faced by families
including family violence. Creating an office within the White House would greatly enhance
President-Elect Clinton's ability to direct national policy affecting families and to coordinate
the allocation of federal agency resources toward resolving family violence and other family
problems. To discuss this proposal further, please contact Leslye E. Orloff.
DID YOU KNOW?
DANGEROUS MYTHS
ACTION ITEMS
Abuse takes many forms: emotional
I shouldn 't get involved. It none of my
At least the children weren 't abused.
1. Educate yourselves, your organization, your
torment, verbal, sexual assault, threats and
business.
community.
Nearly 75% of men who abuse their part-
Invite speakers from resource agencies
physical force or injury.
Not getting involved won't make the
ners also abuse their children. The
to your meetings.
Domestic violence is a learned behavior
violence disappear; it only ensures that
batterer may force the children to witness
Investigate services provided by local &
that increases in frequency and severity.
more victims will suffer.
the abuse, as a means of asserting his
state governments and diocesan offices.
control. Children who grow up in abusive
Read "When I Call For Help," and
Battery is the single greatest cause of
Why doesn 't she just leave him?
households are 42% more likely to per-
"Confronting a Culture of Violence,"
injury to women of all ages, more com-
petuate the cycle of violence as adults.
responses to domestic violence and
violence in society by the Catholic
mon than auto accidents, muggings and
Many factors make it difficult for the
bishops.
rapes. Most assaults are never reported.
victim to escape: financial problems,
It the victim 's fault.
breakup of the family, impact on the chil-
2. Advocate that the medical, legal, and law
In this country, a woman is beaten every
dren, pressure from family members, fear
No one has the right to inflict bodily injury
enforcement communities, clergy, deacons,
15 seconds. One-third of all women
of future violence, or feeling responsible
upon another. Blaming a victim won't save
and parish personnel, including secretaries,
homicide victims are killed by their
for the behavior and concern for what will
his or her life - it only justifies the abuser's
receptionists, and religious education teach-
ers, be educated on domestic violence issues.
husband or partner. One out of four
happen to the abuser.
behavior.
Be a voice for change in public policy.
women will be abused during their lives.
She doesn't look like a battered woman.
He hits her because he drinks.
3. Donate to shelters:
Domestic violence occurs in 33%-66% of
Substance abuse does not cause domestic
personal hygiene kits
all adult cohabitating relationships regard-
Domestic violence may involve verbal,
towels and bedding.
less of age, race, sex, religious affiliation,
mental, emotional, or sexual abuse, social
violence but it may be a contributing factor.
clothing (check with shelter first)
marital status, education, income or social
isolation, or financial dependence. 95% of
Batterers will abuse their partners whether
diapers, children's toys
standing. These facts also apply to teen-
domestic violence survivors are women.
they are drunk or sober. Treating the
first aid supplies
age date abuse.
5% of the victims are men.
alcoholism - without treating the violence
TV's, VCR's, nonviolent videos
will only result in a sober abuser.
children & adult books
Abusers tend to exhibit "Dr. Jekyll and
money (in memory of loved one)
Mr. Hyde" behaviors, showing extremes
DEFINITIONS
4. Drive victims to doctor's appointments,
in both kindness and cruelty. Others
seldom see or suspect this person of
Domestic Violence: Use or threat of physical force by a member of a household against
counseling and court dates.
explosive rage.
another member of the same household.
5. Teach life skills: budgeting, banking, filling
out job applications, grooming for the work-
October is Domestic Violence Awareness
Battering: Repeatedly subjecting a victim to forceful physical, social, sexual, and psycho-
place, etc.
Month.
logical behavior in order to coerce them without regard to their rights.
6. Cook meals and provide food.
Physical Violence includes slapping, choking, punching, kicking, pushing and the use of
objects as weapons.
7. Serve on the board of an abuse shelter.
WHAT CAN BE DONE
BE PREPARED
IF YOU ARE A VICTIM:
IF YOU KNOW A VICTIM:
Have quick access to the following items:
1. Call the police or sheriff. Insist on a
1. This pamphlet.
1. Believe her/him. Doubting or minimizing the
report.
abuse only heightens the victim's feelings of guilt,
2. A plan of action.
fear and helplessness.
3. Important telephone numbers and
WOMEN
2. Seek medical care immediately. Let the
addresses.
doctor know you've been abused.
2. Support her/him. Give them encouragement,
4. Cash.
HEALING
information and referrals to agencies/services.
5. Blank checks and savings account
3. Keep detailed records of incidents of
numbers.
THE
abuse.
3. Speak out. Make the problem of abuse
6. Change of clothes for you and your
heard. Awareness precedes choice, choice
children.
WOUNDS
4. Arrange to stay with friends, family, rent
precedes change.
7. Keys (have extras made and hide
a room, or call the shelter for emergency
them outside the house).
NCCW
housing. Your safety is the bottom line.
4. Strongly suggest individual counseling for
8. Personal documents: medical and
the victim. Experts report that counseling
Responds to Domestic
income tax records, birth certificates,
5. Do not let your partner isolate you from
the couple together may be too intimidating
Violence Against Women
those who can help you in the future.
for the victim.
protective injunctions, tax returns,
Talk to someone you trust.
Social Security numbers of self and
5. Approach the victim in private.
children, etc
6. Violence occurs in cycles: 1) tension
9. Try not to leave without your children.
building, 2) blow up, and 3) the honey-
6. Use non-judgemental language and
In most cases it is easier for you to
moon phase where women believe the
empathetic approach such as:
keep the children if they are already
promise that "It will never happen again."
with you.
Don't let your hope for relief get in the
"I'm afraid for your safety."
way of protecting yourself from further
"I'm afraid for the safety of your
abuse.
children."
LOCAL RESOURCES
"We're here for you when you are
7. Think how your partner usually prevents
ready or when you are able to
you from leaving and prepare for that
leave."
possibility. Trust your instincts. Plan
"You deserve better than this."
ahead. When a violent episode is immi-
nent, leave before the attack happens.
nach
National Council of Catholic Women
1275 K Street, NW, Suite 975
Women and men are created in God's image;
This brochure was produced through grants
Washington, DC 20005
from Associates of NCCW, Inc., and the
202-682-0334
the Bible doesn't sanction abusive behavior.
American Council of Life Insurance.
FAX 202-682-0338
DID YOU KNOW?
DANGEROUS MYTHS
ACTION ITEMS
Abuse takes many forms: emotional
I shouldn 't get involved. It's none of my
At least the children weren 't abused.
1. Educate yourselves, your organization, your
torment, verbal, sexual assault, threats and
business.
community.
Nearly 75% of men who abuse their part-
Invite speakers from resource agencies
physical force or injury.
Not getting involved won't make the
ners also abuse their children. The
to your meetings.
Domestic violence is a learned behavior
violence disappear; it only ensures that
batterer may force the children to witness
Investigate services provided by local &
that increases in frequency and severity.
more victims will suffer.
the abuse, as a means of asserting his
state governments and diocesan offices.
control. Children who grow up in abusive
Read "When I Call For Help," and
Battery is the single greatest cause of
Why doesn 't she just leave him?
households are 42% more likely to per-
"Confronting a Culture of Violence,"
injury to women of all ages, more com-
petuate the cycle of violence as adults.
responses to domestic violence and
violence in society by the Catholic
mon than auto accidents, muggings and
Many factors make it difficult for the
bishops.
rapes. Most assaults are never reported.
victim to escape: financial problems,
It's the victim 's fault.
breakup of the family, impact on the chil-
2. Advocate that the medical, legal, and law
In this country, a woman is beaten every
dren, pressure from family members, fear
No one has the right to inflict bodily injury
enforcement communities, clergy, deacons,
15 seconds. One-third of all women
of future violence, or feeling responsible
upon another. Blaming a victim won't save
and parish personnel, including secretaries,
homicide victims are killed by their
for the behavior and concern for what will
his or her life - it only justifies the abuser's
receptionists, and religious education teach-
ers, be educated on domestic violence issues.
husband or partner. One out of four
happen to the abuser.
behavior.
Be a voice for change in public policy.
women will be abused during their lives.
She doesn 't look like a battered woman.
He hits her because he drinks.
3. Donate to shelters:
Domestic violence occurs in 33%-66% of
Substance abuse does not cause domestic
personal hygiene kits
all adult cohabitating relationships regard-
Domestic violence may involve verbal,
towels and bedding.
less of age, race, sex, religious affiliation,
mental, emotional, or sexual abuse, social
violence but it may be a contributing factor.
clothing (check with shelter first)
marital status, education, income or social
isolation, or financial dependence. 95% of
Batterers will abuse their partners whether
diapers, children's toys
standing. These facts also apply to teen-
domestic violence survivors are women.
they are drunk or sober. Treating the
first aid supplies
age date abuse.
5% of the victims are men.
alcoholism - without treating the violence
TV's, VCR's, nonviolent videos
will only result in a sober abuser.
children & adult books
Abusers tend to exhibit "Dr. Jekyll and
money (in memory of loved one)
Mr. Hyde" behaviors, showing extremes
DEFINITIONS
4. Drive victims to doctor's appointments,
in both kindness and cruelty. Others
seldom see or suspect this person of
Domestic Violence: Use or threat of physical force by a member of a household against
counseling and court dates.
explosive rage.
another member of the same household.
5. Teach life skills: budgeting, banking, filling
out job applications, grooming for the work-
October is Domestic Violence Awareness
Battering: Repeatedly subjecting a victim to forceful physical, social, sexual, and psycho-
place, etc.
Month.
logical behavior in order to coerce them without regard to their rights.
6. Cook meals and provide food.
Physical Violence includes slapping, choking, punching, kicking, pushing and the use of
objects as weapons.
7. Serve on the board of an abuse shelter.
WHAT CAN BE DONE
BE PREPARED
IF YOU ARE A VICTIM:
IF YOU KNOW A VICTIM:
Have quick access to the following items:
1. Call the police or sheriff. Insist on a
1. This pamphlet.
1. Believe her/him. Doubting or minimizing the
report.
abuse only heightens the victim's feelings of guilt,
2. A plan of action.
fear and helplessness.
3. Important telephone numbers and
WOMEN
2. Seek medical care immediately. Let the
addresses.
doctor know you've been abused.
2. Support her/him. Give them encouragement,
4. Cash.
HEALING
information and referrals to agencies/services.
5. Blank checks and savings account
3. Keep detailed records of incidents of
numbers.
THE
abuse.
3. Speak out. Make the problem of abuse
6. Change of clothes for you and your
heard. Awareness precedes choice, choice
children.
WOUNDS
4. Arrange to stay with friends, family, rent
precedes change.
7. Keys (have extras made and hide
a room, or call the shelter for emergency
them outside the house).
NCCW
housing. Your safety is the bottom line.
4. Strongly suggest individual counseling for
8. Personal documents: medical and
the victim. Experts report that counseling
Responds to Domestic
income tax records, birth certificates,
5. Do not let your partner isolate you from
the couple together may be too intimidating
Violence Against Women
those who can help you in the future.
for the victim.
protective injunctions, tax returns,
Talk to someone you trust.
Social Security numbers of self and
5. Approach the victim in private.
children, etc
6. Violence occurs in cycles: 1) tension
9. Try not to leave without your children.
building, 2) blow up, and 3) the honey-
6. Use non-judgemental language and
In most cases it is easier for you to
moon phase where women believe the
empathetic approach such as:
keep the children if they are already
promise that "It will never happen again."
with you.
Don't let your hope for relief get in the
"I'm afraid for your safety."
way of protecting yourself from further
"I'm afraid for the safety of your
abuse.
children."
LOCAL RESOURCES
"We're here for you when you are
7. Think how your partner usually prevents
ready or when you are able to
you from leaving and prepare for that
leave."
possibility. Trust your instincts. Plan
"You deserve better than this."
ahead. When a violent episode is immi-
nent, leave before the attack happens.
nay
National Council of Catholic Women
1275 K Street, NW, Suite 975
Women and men are created in God's image;
This brochure was produced through grants
Washington, DC 20005
from Associates of NCCW, Inc., and the
202-682-0334
the Bible doesn't sanction abusive behavior.
American Council of Life Insurance.
FAX 202-682-0338