Domestic Abuse: where do I start?

[liesbeth]

Hello! Long-time lurker here, I've learnt so much about feminism just from reading your discussions - if I could ask a favour, I'd really appreciate some literature suggestions from you all about this issue.

I'm in my third year of university (studying politics), and have experienced an abusive relationship, which piqued my interest in women's rights.

Subsequently, I have chosen to write my dissertation on domestic violence in the city I live in - essentially, the structures that are in place to support victims, and how multiple agencies interact - and have received a great deal of support from organisations here.

I need to frame my discussion within a particular discourse, and have so far been reading through public policy and psychology - but I'd love to include a broader view of feminist literature too, can anyone suggest one or two polemics on the issue of DV?

Thank you so much!

[AliceWorld]

I know I'm at a tangent here, but if you are using a discourse approach, why aren't you framing it within the multiple discourses that are out there? Discourse for me is all about multiplicity rather than finding 'a' discourse. You could perhaps frame it in terms of hegemonic discourses, rather than them all, but then you won't pick up on feminist discourses.

Polemic for me is also suggesting something that is opinion directing and relatively empty, rather than more rooted feminist theory. Is that what you mean?

I know I am being utterly irritatingtangential, and not actually answering the question, but I wanted to and then found I couldn't partly due to lack of knowledge of that area, but also partly due to those areas above nagging at me. Feel free to ignore

[SupposedToBeWorking]

liesbeth, I think you've got a great topic.

I know someone I think could help you out, I've PMed you with some details.

AliceWorld has a point about discourses, although if you use the word 'framework' instead then your query makes more sense to me. As does the inclusion of a feminist perspective.

Good luck with your dissertation!

[chocolatestar]

Real Rape, Real Pain is a very good book on partner rape.