An investigation on wife battering and the powerless position of women

MSc (Social Work), North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 1998Due to the escalating rate of family violence and specifically wife battering, the researcher found it necessary to thoroughly investigate this phenomenon. The purpose of the study was to determine the nature and extent of wife battering, the causes and effects of wife battering and its prevention. In order to gain information, a process of judgemental sampling was used, whereby social workers, psychologists, nurses, police officers and legal persons who deals directly with cases of wife battering were questioned. The study revealed that wife battering is not always seriously dealt with by the Police and Judiciary Departments, and therefore the possible existence and increase of the phenomenon is caused mainly by the ignorance of the Judiciary system. Wife battering as a result has serious effects on the victim, children and the community. In an effort to prevent/alleviate this problem it was found that attention need to be given to awareness campaigns, life education programmes and marriage counselling programmes.Master