Responding to Domestic Violence: Difficult Conversations

This book explores the problem of domestic violence by challenging gendered discourses and offering a feminist poststructural approach to understanding men's use of domestic violence. It provides case studies to explore the complexities and dilemmas of domestic violence policy and practice, encouraging readers to acknowledge the discomfort and sit with ambiguity rather than rush to resolve it.

Format: Hardback
Length: 130 pages
Publication date: 24 February 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the complex issue of domestic violence by critically examining policy and practice responses. It goes beyond simplistic narratives of "good" and "bad" men or as mere expressions of specific structures and practices. Instead, it initiates challenging conversations about how our embeddedness in gendered discourses shapes our perceptions of possible and desirable responses.

Innovatively, this book embraces feminist poststructural theorizing to challenge and enrich our understanding of men's use of domestic violence. Each chapter is dedicated to exploring a particular area of tension, unraveling the intricate complexities that characterize domestic violence policy and practice. Case studies provide a focal point for examining the dilemmas, challenges, and contested nature of ideas, meanings, and practices within this realm. Rather than offering straightforward solutions, each chapter fosters a space for exploring ambiguity and complexity, allowing us to acknowledge the discomfort and resist the urge to resolve it prematurely.

Situated within this contested and uncomfortable terrain, this book represents a modest yet significant step toward reimagining our approaches to domestic violence. It will appeal to scholars and students of gender studies, sociology, health, and social care, as it offers valuable insights into the multifaceted nature of this issue.

Weight: 420g
Dimension: 198 x 129 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367774288