Obstacles Battered Women Face As Identified
in Websdale
Rural Patriarchy
    Traditional Gender Roles
    Employment for Women Not Favored (p. 52)

Rural Isolation
    Social Isolation
    Geographic Isolation
    BUT...on the other hand, too much family makes for an obstacle too

Rural Community
    People will see her if she leaves
    Police know offenders
    Judges know offenders
    People know each other's business (e.g., scanner use high)
    High gun ownership--rural culture accepts guns for sport and protection
    Religion important
    Homogeneous
    Elected Sheriff
    Health care "not private" (e.g., emergency rooms)
 

Rural Economy
    Heavily dependent on farming (tobacco, cattle, poultry)
    Few high-paying jobs available
    Lack of education in population
    Women's work more underpaid compared to urban areas (p. 52)

Lack of Resources
    Lack of transportation
    Lack of telephone/low subscription rates
    Limited number of social support and social service agencies
    Lack of child care facilities
    Lack of shelters

Low Tax Base
    Small police force--delayed protection for women b/c geographic distance & lack of officers
    Serving Protective Orders is low priority
    Few service agencies



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