Community responsibility for freedom from abuse Martin, Betsan; Hand, Jennifer
Material type:
- 1877372323
- 0112-4099
Published in association with Otago University Press
This article builds a case for shifting discourses around domestic violence from the individual responsibility of women to protect themselves, to community responsibility for addressing and preventing violence. Framing the discussion within the context of the Charter for Human Responsibility, and drawing examples from their 2002 research "Free From Abuse", the authors argue that there needs to be rebalancing of responsibility among individuals, families, communities, professionals, institutions and services. They maintain that community attitudes towards violence, and the community resources that are available, are key influences on whether women are held in 'vortex of violence' or are able to gather the resources to become free from abuse. The article provides a useful description of the dynamics of abuse and escape as experienced by New Zealand women who are victims of domestic violence.
nz
Women's Studies Journal 20(1) 2006 : 48-58