A model for analysing societal responses to woman battering: Israel as a case in point

Abstract

This article presents a conceptual framework for analyzing societal responses to women battering in Israel. The model of policy analysis consisted of three specific dimensions namely: 1) descriptive-operational; 2) analytic interpretive; and 3) chronological. Allocation provision delivery and financing of interventions with the abused Israeli women and their families were conducted from 1986 to 1988 through telephone surveys. Data indicate that due to strong religious influences on family life and political factors poor services were provided to abused women. The influence of social welfare in response to women battering were as follows: 1) intervention in woman battering was specific rather than universal; 2) services have been decentralized since their inception; and 3) intervention has been influenced by a collectivist residential orientation to welfare services. Furthermore government agencies and nongovernmental agencies provide only limited services for physically abused women.