SOCIAL-SERVICES FOR BATTERED WOMEN - ARE THEY ADEQUATE, ACCESSIBLE, AND APPROPRIATE

During the past 20 years a network of services, including official sta te agencies and statewide grassroots domestic violence coalitions, has developed across the country to meet the problem of woman abuse. Alth ough state agencies have gained access to diverse federal funds; have developed additional, more-creative ways to fund programs; and have es tablished regulatory mechanisms to ensure quality of services, respond ents agree that the existing services would not have been developed wi thout the committed energy and effective lobbying of grassroots coalit ions. However, these coalitions are now struggling with internal confl icts and are concerned that emerging social problems will eclipse them and capture the scant funds available. Without these coalitions, the network of social services may return the problem of woman abuse to th e private arena of family life, where it is treated by therapy. This a rticle surveys both state agencies and coalitions and discusses implic ations for services to abused women.