The problem of men's violence to known women - principally their wives, partners and girlfriends - is becoming more widely recognized. This text addresses the issue within the broad context of men's use of power and violence in society. The author considers the scale and character of men's violence against women, and critically reviews the theoretical frameworks that are used to explain it. From the perspective of "critical studies on men", he discusses issues, challenges and possible research methods for those studying and researching violence, and particularly men's violence to known women. He then draws on extensive research to analyze the various ways in which men describe, deny, justify and excuse their violence, and considers the complex interaction between committing a violent act and talking about violence. The author also examines agencies' responses to men's violence, ranging from avoidance to policy and practice innovations and possibilities, before discussing ways that some men may move away from violence. The final chapter sets out key issues for theory, politics, policy and practice.
PART ONE: SETTING THE SCENE Introduction Definitions and Explanations of Men's Violence Studying and Researching Men's Violence to Known Women PART TWO: TALKING VIOLENCE Violence and Talking about Violence The Contexts of Violence The Text of Violence (1) How Men Describe Their Violence The Text of Violence (2) How Men Account for Their Violence The Sexual Subtexts of Talk about Violence PART THREE: RESPONDING TO VIOLENCE? In and around Agencies Moving Away from Violence? PART FOUR: REVIEWING THE PROBLEM Key Issues for Theory, Politics, Policy and Practice
`This book can be read in many different ways, for example as a research report, a discussion of research methods, an example of deconstructing interview accounts, a theoretical debate on men's violence, or a series of recommendations on professional practice. It provides a good example of how theory, empirical research and professional practice can be integrated and will hopefully encourage individual practitioners and agencies to develop more proactive responses to violence by men to known women' - British Journal of Social Work `This is a highly readable and informative text. Men's violence towards women remains a pressing issue and texts such as this, which deconstruct men's accounts of violence and consider the links between articulating and doing violence are, therefore, highly valuable.' - Sociology
