ABSTRACT

Arguing that law must be looked at holistically, this book investigates the ‘hidden gender’ of the so-called neutral or objective legal principles that structure the law addressing violence against women. Adopting an explicitly feminist perspective, it investigates how legal responses to violence against women presuppose, maintain and perpetuate a certain context that may not in fact reflect women’s experiences.

Carline and Easteal draw upon relevant legislation, case law and secondary studies from a range of territories, including Australia, England and Wales, the United States, Canada and Europe, to contextualize and critique different policy responses. They go on to examine the potential and limits of law, making recommendations for best practice models of policymaking and law reform.

Aiming to help improve government, community and legal responses to women who experience violence, Shades of Grey – Domestic and Sexual Violence Against Women: Law Reform and Society will assist law-makers, academics, policymakers and a wider audience in understanding the complexities of violence against women.

chapter Chapter 1|12 pages

Introduction

chapter Chapter 2|28 pages

The cultural context

chapter Chapter 3|19 pages

The indeterminacy and discretion of law (reform)

chapter Chapter 4|22 pages

Domestic violence and criminal law response

chapter Chapter 5|20 pages

Domestic violence civil legislation

chapter Chapter 6|26 pages

Domestic violence and family law

chapter Chapter 7|27 pages

Battered women who kill 1

chapter Chapter 9|25 pages

More on myths and indeterminacy in sexual assault law

chapter Chapter 10|23 pages

Partner rape

chapter Chapter 11|21 pages

Violence against ‘other’ women

chapter Chapter 12|14 pages

Conclusion