title: Correlates for legal help-seeking: contextual factors for battered women in shelter.
abstract: Legal redress can play a critical role in interrupting the pattern of domination and control inherent in intimate partner violence (IPV), yet it remains an infrequent strategy among battered women. The current study employed a contextual framework for investigating the correlates for engagement in the criminal justice system for a sample of 227 sheltered battered women. Results indicated that individual, relational, and system-level factors were all associated with two legal help-seeking behaviors: having a civil protection order and criminal prosecution. In particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, social support, and prior experience with police officers were significant correlates for legal help-seeking. Results highlight the need for a coordinated community response to IPV, addressing both legal needs and psychological needs simultaneously.
authors.affiliation: Summa-Kent State Center for the Treatment and Study of Traumatic Stress, USA.
authors.forename: Caroline Vaile
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Dawn M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011638:Public Housing; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States; D016387:Women's Health