Denial: Domestic Violence in the South Florida Tri-County Jewish Community

Author

Michael Sue Jenefsky, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow

Date of Award

3-2012

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Justice and Human Services

First Advisor

Lenore E. Walker, Ed.D.

Second Advisor

Aimee Zadak, Ph.D.

Third Advisor

Jackson L. Martin, B.S.

Abstract

The research hypothesis of the study was that there was denial with regard to domestic violence in the Jewish population of the South Florida tri-county area. The Jewish female victims of domestic violence that reside in the South Florida tri-county area were shown to be underserved stemming from denial within the Jewish community. Determining factors of underserved were the lack of faith-based shelters, shalom bayit (peace in the home), get (Jewish divorce), and the need for financial support from various sources. Challenge to the hypothesis was eliminated by the comparison of statistics from two distinct frames of reference: distribution of Jewish populations versus reported domestic violence and the numbers of individuals deserving shelter versus the number of beds available. There was a definite variation in the statistics and the general trend led to a single conclusive question. Population statistics were found through the US Census Bureau. Where none were available for the Jewish female subpopulation, mathematical estimations were calculated. Statistical information was gathered from annual domestic violence figures and intimate partner and sexual violence records. Mathematical estimations were utilized where none were obtainable for Jewish females. Comparisons were made among a range of Jewish populations for the number of Jewish shelters by state. Estimations were used only as simple indicators. Although the statistics were widely varied, the trends were all consistent with the conclusion. Jewish female victims of domestic violence were underserved. Is this determination due to lack of rabbinical knowledge, lack of outreach and awareness, or due to simple denial?

Comments

Submitted to the Faculty of Nova Southeastern University Criminal Justice Institute in partial fulfillment for the requirements for the degree of Master of Science with a specialty in: Behavioral Science

NSUWorks Citation

Michael Sue Jenefsky. 2012. Denial: Domestic Violence in the South Florida Tri-County Jewish Community. Master's thesis. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences – Department of Justice and Human Services. (29)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/cahss_jhs_etd/29.