Suchergebnisse

The number of women under community supervision has increased in recent years. However, empirical research on women parolees' experiences is quite limited. Women parolees are faced with daunting challenges that may impede their success on parole. Using face-to-face interviews with 60 women parolees in a Southern state, this qualitative study examined the perceived barriers to women's success on parole. Women parolees identified economic variables as critical barriers to their parole adjustment.

The author examines the nature of the relationship between elders and their primary caregivers by comparing their attitudes toward the definition, criminalization, and treatment of elder abuse. Elder abuse was examined through the use of extensive interviews and mailed questionnaires. Data were collected from a random sample of noninstitutionalized elders and their caregivers. Results suggest that the perceptions of the two groups are quite similar; both elders and caregivers tend to define elder abuse in terms of neglect and to support the criminalization of elder abuse.

The author presents the findings of a descriptive, exploratory study designed to measure the correlates of battered women's decisions to return home to the abuser after termination by a shelter. Data were collected from 426 battered women who sought help from a spouse-abuse shelter located in central Florida. Using exchange theory as a theoretical model, analysis revealed that battered women are likely to return home to the abuser when (1) the annual family income is high, (2) they are unemployed, (3) they have been victims of severe abuse, and (4) they have negative perceptions of themselves. Based on these findings, it was concluded that a woman's decision-making process varies with her perceived level of rewards and costs.

Women inmates in a southern women's minimum security facility were interviewed to explore their perceptions of and experiences with reporting sexual victimization in the context of the post-PREA era. The interviewees identified stigma and gossip, officer camaraderie, and fear of retaliation as the dominant barriers to reporting and investigating incidents of sexual assault. The article concludes with recommendations to improve sexual assault training and education in women's correctional institutions.

Cover -- Half Title -- Dedication -- Title -- Copyright -- Contents -- List of Tables -- Acknowledgements -- 1 Introduction -- 2 Historical, Social, Cultural, and Legal Organization of Rape -- Introduction -- Women's Roles in Society -- Historical Definitions and Punishments of Rape -- Contemporary Definitions and Punishments of Rape in the United States -- Courtship and Dating -- Historical Perspectives on Courtship and Dating -- Historical Perspectives on Violence and Aggression in Courtship and Marriage -- Changes in Rape Laws -- Summary -- References -- 3 Prevalence and Incidence -- Introduction -- Rape and Sexual Assault -- Official Estimates -- Contemporary Research -- Summary -- References -- 4 Characteristics of Victims, Offenders, and the Context of Date Rape -- Introduction -- Characteristics of Rape Victims -- Characteristics of Rapists -- Interactional and Situational Factors -- Degree of Relationship -- Socialization -- Myths About Rape -- Summary -- References -- 5 Public Perceptions of Sexual Intercourse -- Attitudes toward Date Rape -- Degree of Force -- Nature of the Relationship between the Offender and the Victim -- Situational Factors -- Characteristics of the Victim -- Sex Role Socialization and Stereotyping -- Rape Myth Acceptance -- Summary -- References -- 6 Theories and Models Addressing Forced Sexual Intercourse -- Introduction -- The Definition of Violence -- Perspectives on Violence through History -- Explanations for Violent Acts -- Explaining Forced Sexual Intercourse -- The Feminist Perspective -- Social Learning Theory -- The Sociobiological Perspective -- Social Disorganization and Legitimate Violence -- State of the Art -- A Beginning Model -- Summary -- References -- 7 Understanding and Addressing -- Introduction -- A Preliminary Model -- Addressing the Social Problem -- Looking to the Future -- Bibliography