Abused Women: Help-Seeking Strategies and Police Utilization

This article describes the multiple efforts made by abused women to seek help. Based on detailed interviews with 419 abused women, the analysis shows that only a very small number have failed to seek assistance. Most of the women have used a variety of sources, including lawyers, counselors, ministers, magistrates, shelters, and, most often, the police. Demographic analysis shows that relationship is the strongest and most consistent predictor of help seeking; married women use available services far more than do cohabitants. Other demographic characteristics emerge as mixed or marginal predictors of help seeking. Agencies oriented to providing services to abused women should be particularly attuned to those who might be underserved.