The Battered Woman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Author

• Jane V. Bankston, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
• Mary A. Boyd, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
• Ann London, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College
• Pepper S. McCaskill, Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

Date of Award

5-1978

Document Type

Major Paper

Degree Name

Master of Social Work (MSW)

Abstract

For the purpose of this study, a battered woman is defined as an adult female who is maliciously physically attacked and/or injured by a male with whom she has a primary relationship. A primary relationship can exist between a woman and her father, legal husband, son or other male with whom she has an intimate relationship. The problem of battered women in the city of Baton Rouge, Louisiana is a serious one. Members of law enforcement agencies, attorneys, mental health workers, physicians and other members of the community who have personally and/or professionally experienced this problem feel that it is, indeed, a multi-dimensional problem of immense proportions in need of serious attention. Resources needed by victims of domestic violence have, in the past, been fragmented or even unavailable.

This study involves a systematic analysis of calls to the Baton Rouge, Louisiana City Police Department for the months of March, June, August, and December of the year 1977. This sample is descriptive in design representing quantitative data for the year 1977. Law enforcement records served as the source for data collection as this is the only documented information on battered women in Baton Rouge at the present time.

The sample documented 302 cases of battered women in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the four months studied in 1977. The data collected on these cases revealed the following major findings:

1. The legal husband of the victim was the assailant in 44.04 percent of the cases.
   
   
2. In 72.19 percent of the cases, the classification was listed as simple battery.
   
   
3. It was usually the victim herself who reported the assault in 89.74 percent of the cases.
   
   
4. The victim did not usually file charges against her assailant; 23.52 percent of the cases resulted in filed charges.
   
   
5. Cases of battered women were found to have occurred in every police zone in the city of Baton Rouge.
   
   
6. Alcohol was present in only 17.88 percent of the cases studied.

The results of this research should provide assistance in implementing the most effective and efficient methods of programming for the battered woman in Baton Rouge. In addition, it is hoped that this research will serve as a basis for further study of this problem.

Recommended Citation

Bankston, Jane V.; Boyd, Mary A.; London, Ann; and McCaskill, Pepper S., "The Battered Woman in Baton Rouge, Louisiana" (1978). LSU Historical Dissertations and Theses. 8426.
https://repository.lsu.edu/gradschool_disstheses/8426