Domestic Violence: Facts and Fallacies [Hardcover]

Richard L. Davis (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 30, 1998

Ann W. Burgess, Chair of the Panel on Research on Violence Against Women, established by the National Research Council in 1995 at the request of congress writes that, "Since the mid 1970s the body of research on violence against women has grown, yet misinformation abounds, and we seem little closer to ending violence against women now than 20 years ago." This book proposes that continuing to rely on the criminal justice system as the remedy for domestic violence is irresponsible and illogical public policy. This nation remains incapable of framing a coherent, consistent, or understandable criminal justice procedure that has effectively prevented domestic violence. Arrest without proper sanctions or proper supervision of abusers and the issuance of civil restraining orders without valid programs in place to assist the victims of abuse are predestined to failure. Current policies that provide for reactive intervention in domestic violence incidents must be replaced by policies that address the cause of domestic violence rather than simply treating its symptoms. This book explains why the criminal justice system can not prevent domestic violence and what the proper role of the criminal justice system should be. To prevent domestic violence we must concentrate on educational programs and policies that provide for alteration of our social and cultural patterns of behavior that foster this form of abuse. The formula to prevent or curb the continued escalation of domestic violence is available to women by means of our democratic process. Women can challenge the thousands of years of male domination politically, economically and socially by taking public office. The instrumentality to curb what goes on behind the closed doors of our homes and the mechanism to challenge what goes on behind the closed mahogany doors of Capitol Hill are one and the same. The illusory goal of equality of gender, equality and sameness are not synonymous, should be exchanged for a goal of an equity of conduct and a comportment of behavior that provides for fairness and frankness towards one another and a renewed respect for each other.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“It is written in clear prose and is well referenced....It is particularly suited for criminal justice and social service professionals who encounter domestic violence in their work and for libraries that serve academic programs in criminal justice, criminology, sociology, social work, or counseling.”–Choice

“Combining scholarly research and his own experiences as a police officer, Davis persuasively makes the case that, as a broad institution, the criminal justice system has miserably failed the victims of intra-family violence....Davis' explanation of how court system boondoggles thwart efforts to deter spousal attacks is alone worth the price of the book....Our understanding of domestic violence is becoming more sophisticated. And Davis, street-smart and informed, is challenging us to update our laws to reflect that growing awareness.”–APB Online www.apbonline.com

“[T]his book is not just another pie in the sky, I feel your pain, liberal bedtime story....Davis' book is very well written and speaks to the side of domestic violence that is very seldom addressed. It is a common sense approach....recommend[ed] for all law enforcement professionals involved in policy development and domestic violence training....also a must read for every police recruit in the country.”–The Law Enforcement Trainer's Page

“[Davis] writes in a lucid style that can be easily understood by students, professionals, and the general public. He also backs up his work by extensive chapter notes, appendices and bibliography. This should be a major resource in the understanding of the domestic violence problem and will no doubt be a text book in demand by academics.”–The Cape Cod Journal

“In a comprehensive review of relevant research, Davis clarifies police behavior and stresses the necessity of broad-based community cooperations to improve domestic violence intervention.”–A Journal of Reviews and Commentary in Mental Health

“Davis data is well researched....He raises difficult questions, especially in regard to how we permit children to live in violent homes and then, unrealistically, expect them to grow up into outstanding citizens. Davis outlines steps that society must take in order to hold a proactive stance against the crime of domestic violence. He ends his text with a call to action for all women who must become informed and take back their power in the political areana. Although Domestic Violence is probably used mostly as a college text, I found it an easy read, almost conversational at times. It would be a good book for the Domestic Violence Unit library.”–The Rap Sheet

“This text by a career police officer is a well-researched and academic study on the subject of domestic violence.”–New York Cop Online

“...brings refreshingly skeptical and hard-nosed common sense to what is purported to be know about the subject.”–Domestic Violence Prevention

About the Author

RICHARD L. DAVIS is Adjunct Professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Quincy College at Plymouth.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Praeger Publishers (August 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0275961265
• ISBN-13: 978-0275961268
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,086,076 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A multi-faceted exploration of topic., May 9, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Massachusetts, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Domestic Violence: Facts and Fallacies (Hardcover)

"...domestic violence... is still not treated as a serious crime by the criminal justice system because it is not by legal definition a serious crime." In his text 'Domestic Violence, Facts and Fallacies,' Richard L. Davis shares anecdotes and insights from his twenty-one years on the Brockton, Massachusetts police force and single-handedly shatters the stereotype of the macho, donut munching man in blue. It is very difficult to fully get one's mind around the concept of domestic violence. Relationships in the 90's are very fluid and unconventional: this alone can stretch the definition of "domestic." Davis spends the first few chapters trying to elucidate a broad definition of domestic violence, and frankly, gets bogged down in doing so. He also investigates the history of gender relationships in our society. However, these steps are necessary in order to lay the groundwork for his premise that "...for every complex problem there is a simple and elegant solution that is wrong." The quagmire of mandatory arrests and civil (as opposed to criminal) restraining orders are some of the solutions we have relied upon that are not only dysfunctional, but may be fanning the flames of domestic violence. His data is well researched and reflects many recent news events such as the O. J. Simpson trial and the court frolics of Red Sox player Wilfredo Cordero. What I found riveting in this book are the timely anecdotes that Davis shares from his career. He relates that fellow officers feel (and express!) their perceived helplessness in making a difference against violent acts in the home. Particularly irksome for them is the widespread belief that police "let their suspects go" without even spending a night in jail. In fact, anyone who posts bail must, by law, be set free. Also ironic is the fact that police can do nothing until an act of violence has very nearly or actually come to pass. It is this "reactive" response that Davis rails against. He raises difficult questions, especially in regard to how we permit children to live in violent homes and then, unrealistically, expect them to grow up into outstanding citizens. Law enforcement processes are a reflection of the society that spawns them. Davis outlines steps that society must take in order to hold a proactive stance against the crime of domestic violence. He ends his text with a call to action for all women who must become informed and take back their power in the political arena.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Agree that criminal justice system is no panacea, July 10, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Domestic Violence: Facts and Fallacies (Hardcover)

As the former Executive Director of an agency that provides batterer intervention services to men arrested for domestic violence, this book comes as a refreshing statement. I wholly subscribe to his thesis that the criminal justice system, especially in Massachustts where Richard Davis and I both have worked, does not provide the panacea in solving domestic violence. The criminal justice system, as Richard Davis asserts, does have its place, but there is the need for greater attention and resources to go into prevention. His call for women to bcome more assertive in taking over the leadership of the society, certainly in the Legislature, is important. But the society also needs to cultivate more good men like Richard Davis so that the commitment to the reduction of violence can continue.

4.0 out of 5 stars Good overview, January 18, 2008

By 

DW Rice (Western MA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Domestic Violence: Facts and Fallacies (Hardcover)

A good overview of the issues around domestic violence from the view point of a police officer.