Intimate Lies and the Law

Jill Elaine Hasday's book "Intimate Lies and the Law" won the Scribes Book Award and the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Award for Family and Relationships. It explores deception in intimate relationships and argues that the law should do more to recognize, prevent, and redress the injuries inflicted by such deception.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2021
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

Intimacy and deception are often intertwined, with people resorting to deceit for various purposes. These purposes can range from luring someone into a relationship to maintaining it, draining an intimate's bank account, acquiring government benefits, controlling an intimate, or resisting domination. Deception permeates dating, sex, marriage, and family life, leaving no subject immune. Intimates can engage in lies or intentionally mislead each other about various aspects of their relationship. Suppose you discover that an intimate has deceived you and caused severe harm, such as financial, physical, or emotional damage. After the initial shock and sadness, you may question whether the law can provide assistance in securing redress. However, the legal system often fails to support individuals who have been deceived within intimate relationships. Courts and legislatures have routinely denied deceived intimates access to the remedies available for deceit in other contexts.

Intimate Lies and the Law is a groundbreaking book that delves into the realm of deception in intimate relationships and uncovers the hidden body of law governing this duplicity. Author Jill Elaine Hasday argues that the law has placed too much emphasis on protecting intimate deceivers and too little importance on assisting the people they deceive. Hasday suggests that the law can and should do more to recognize, prevent, and redress the injuries that intimate deception can inflict.

One of the key issues highlighted by Hasday is the lack of legal recognition of the harm caused by intimate deception. Traditional legal frameworks often fail to address the unique dynamics and complexities of intimate relationships, resulting in inadequate protection for victims. Hasday argues that the law should recognize the emotional and psychological impact of deception, as well as the financial and material consequences it can have on individuals. By doing so, the law can provide a more comprehensive framework for addressing the harm caused by intimate deception.

Another important aspect of Hasday's book is the exploration of the legal remedies available for victims of intimate deception. While some legal protections exist, such as divorce and financial remedies, they are often limited and may not fully address the harm caused. Hasday suggests that the law should provide more robust remedies, such as restitution, compensation for emotional distress, and criminal penalties for intentional deception. These remedies would serve as a deterrent to intimate deceivers and provide victims with the means to recover from the harm they have suffered.

In conclusion, Intimate Lies and the Law is a thought-provoking and important book that sheds light on the pervasive issue of deception in intimate relationships. By examining the legal implications of deception, Hasday challenges the current legal framework and advocates for a more comprehensive and victim-centered approach. The book provides valuable insights into the experiences of individuals who have been deceived and offers practical solutions for addressing the harm caused by intimate deception. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the legal complexities of relationships and the need for greater protection for victims.

Weight: 456g
Dimension: 156 x 237 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197619032