Violence against women in the family

Abstract

This thesis deals with the socio-legal aspects of violence against wives and female cohabitees. The first part describes the problem, incidence and legal history of wife abuse and analyzes contemporary theories of the causes of family violence. The second part explores legal problems encountered by battered wives seeking civil or criminal remedies in Canada and examines aspects of the law that indirectly legitimize wife-beating. On the basis of an analysis of British and American law reform in this area, this study ascertains that Canadian laws are insufficient\rto meet the needs of battered wives. It therefore suggests proposals for law reform and explores the possibility of\remphasizing the deterrent function of the criminal laws of discouraging violence.