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Women, male violence and the law Stubbs, Julie; (ed.)

Contributor(s): Material type: TextTextSeries: Publication details: Sydney, Australia Institute of Criminology 1994Description: 262 pISBN:
  • 0867589183
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 362.8292 WOM
Summary: This book explores legal aspects of domestic violence in both New Zealand and Australia. The potential and current limitations of legislation in helping women affected by male violence to gain independence and control of their lives once they have sought help is highlighted. There are three chapters that are of specific relevance. Ruth Busch and Neville Robertson's chapter, "Ain't no Mountain High Enough (to Keep Me From Getting to You): An Analysis of the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot Project", examines the impact of the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot Project (HAIP) on domestic violence in Hamilton. It discusses the greater level of intersectoral collaboration that has resulted from the project, and which has Women's Refuge, the Police and the District Court working together to establish a consistent response to domestic violence. More specifically, the chapter discusses how evaluations of HAIP have shown that the project has had a positive impact on the lives of victims and offenders, for example, women feeling more empowered, and men taking steps to reduce their controlling behaviours. In the chapter "Lawyering and Domestic Violence: A Feminist Integration of Experiences, Theories and Practices", Nan Seuffert discusses the way that the varying experiences of different women can inform feminist theory and legal practice. The author argues that there is no one approach to dealing with domestic violence. In particular, the author distinguishes between the experiences of Maori and non-Maori women in New Zealand. Ruth Busch, the author of "Don't Throw Bouquets at Me...(Judges) Will Say We're in Love: An Analysis of New Zealand Judges' Attitudes Towards Domestic Violence", reports on judicial attitudes towards domestic violence in New Zealand. Through interviews with judges and a study of case law, it was found that while some judges give appropriate recognition to domestic violence, the victims' safety is often overlooked in favour of attempting to reconstitute families. The author argues that due to judicial attitudes playing such an integral role in the wider perception of domestic violence, judges need to be unaccepting of domestic violence, and focus on the needs of the victim, not the continuation of the family unit. This chapter is based on work from a much larger study undertaken by the author and colleagues from 1990 to 1992, which produced a 300 page report that was subsequently censored and has been shrouded in controversy.
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Item type Current library Call number Status Barcode
Book Book Vine library TRO 362.8292 WOM Available A00668710B

This book explores legal aspects of domestic violence in both New Zealand and Australia. The potential and current limitations of legislation in helping women affected by male violence to gain independence and control of their lives once they have sought help is highlighted. There are three chapters that are of specific relevance. Ruth Busch and Neville Robertson's chapter, "Ain't no Mountain High Enough (to Keep Me From Getting to You): An Analysis of the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot Project", examines the impact of the Hamilton Abuse Intervention Pilot Project (HAIP) on domestic violence in Hamilton. It discusses the greater level of intersectoral collaboration that has resulted from the project, and which has Women's Refuge, the Police and the District Court working together to establish a consistent response to domestic violence. More specifically, the chapter discusses how evaluations of HAIP have shown that the project has had a positive impact on the lives of victims and offenders, for example, women feeling more empowered, and men taking steps to reduce their controlling behaviours. In the chapter "Lawyering and Domestic Violence: A Feminist Integration of Experiences, Theories and Practices", Nan Seuffert discusses the way that the varying experiences of different women can inform feminist theory and legal practice. The author argues that there is no one approach to dealing with domestic violence. In particular, the author distinguishes between the experiences of Maori and non-Maori women in New Zealand. Ruth Busch, the author of "Don't Throw Bouquets at Me...(Judges) Will Say We're in Love: An Analysis of New Zealand Judges' Attitudes Towards Domestic Violence", reports on judicial attitudes towards domestic violence in New Zealand. Through interviews with judges and a study of case law, it was found that while some judges give appropriate recognition to domestic violence, the victims' safety is often overlooked in favour of attempting to reconstitute families. The author argues that due to judicial attitudes playing such an integral role in the wider perception of domestic violence, judges need to be unaccepting of domestic violence, and focus on the needs of the victim, not the continuation of the family unit. This chapter is based on work from a much larger study undertaken by the author and colleagues from 1990 to 1992, which produced a 300 page report that was subsequently censored and has been shrouded in controversy.