News In Brief

US report on family violence outlines role of government

Government has a duty to intervene in obvious cases of family violence - including spouse beating, child abuse, and mistreatment of the elderly - says a Justice Department report issued late Wednesday on family violence. US Attorney General William French Smith says the main purpose of the report is to lift the ''veil of secrecy'' surrounding violence in the home - and prod social programs to check it early and help victims.