Block · one region of the page, as the scanner read it. It may hold a whole story, part of one, several, or an advertisement; stitching blocks into articles is the next step. Text is supplied OCR.
Page 10 · column 6 of 7 · from the scan, no model involved
Rappahannock deputies rely on their wits and their tongues rather than force in dealing with spouse abuse, the sheriff continued. “We’re fast talkers. That’s what it comes down to. Keeping your cool and fast talking, trying to keep things under control.”
Woodward doesn’t try to talk battered wives into taking out warrants against their abusive husbands, however. “From our experience - and I’m speaking just of Rappahannock County -90 percent of the warrants are dropped before the case gets to court. Most of the time, alcohol is involved. He’s drunk, he’s pushing her around. She wants him locked up for that night. Then he sobers up and she thinks he’s all right. She thinks that it’s not going to happen again.”
But judging from experience, he’s found that it does happen again- and again - and again. “At least 75 percent of our cases are repeats. It just goes on and on until the marriage ends in divorce or something.”
Rather than seeking redress through courts, abused wives should seek counseling for their husbands and for themselves, according to Woodward. “And if that doesn’t work, get a lawyer,” he advised.
¥
92.0%