Abstract
A survey of shelter counselors found their views of responsibility for wife abuse were significantly related to their: (a) support of a battered woman's decision to remain married, and (b) belief that battering husbands can stop being abusive. Counselors who viewed the husband and wife as equally responsible for wife abuse were the most supportive of a woman's decision to remain married and were most likely to believe that batterers are able to stop being abusive. Counselors who viewed the batterer as completely responsible for wife abuse were more likely to encourage battered women who want to remain married to end their marriage, and believe batterers are unable to stop being abusive.
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McKeel, A.J., Sporakowski, M.J. How shelter counselors' views about responsibility for wife abuse relate to services they provide to battered women. J Fam Viol 8, 101–112 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00981762
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00981762