Domestic violence: Attitudes and values of legal and helping professionals

Abstract

The goal of this research is to understand the attitudes, and values of the professional groups that mobilized the domestic violence cause through the legal system. Three factors will be explored in order to understand the past and the current state of affairs regarding domestic violence: Namely, which special interest groups are championing the cause? What are the attitudes and values ofthe groups regarding the issue? What solutions are being sought by these groups to alleviate the problem?;This study focuses on the social and political developments that emerged as domestic violence became legitimized as a pressing social problem in need of reform. This research surveyed two groups, legal and helping professionals, who collaborated to create domestic violence legislation in the State of New Jersey in 1982 and 1991. The similarities and differences between the two groups' interpretation of the problem, their values regarding the issue and their proposed objectives to alleviate the problem is the core of this investigation.;The major contribution of the research is in gaining a better understanding of how a social problem i.e. domestic violence, moved from anonymity to being recognized as a social problem in need of formalized public policy to get it under control. The interplay between the two groups responsible for the creation of legislation and how their thinking and values converged and differed during the process of writing the law is an important contribution of this study.;Despite an increase in public awareness and sensitivity, domestic violence remains rampant within our society. The research highlights the need for political involvement, networking, specific education regarding violence and collaboration between everyone involved with victims and perpetrators. The problem must be conceptualized broadly and its solutions must be multidimensional and inclusive of the varied perspectives it the field.