SAGE Journal Articles
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Article 1: Barata, P. & Senn, C.Y. (2003). When two fields collide: An examination of the assumptions of social science research and law within the domain of domestic violence. Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, 4(1), 3-21.
Summary: This article provides a critical assessment of the social science and legal domains of domestic violence research. The authors describe how both domains have fallen short of their respective goals in the area of domestic violence and point out the issues that arises when research is focused too narrowly on the policy of mandatory arrest. The authors conclude that the law and social sciences should only come together where feminist critiques are of critical concern and the perspectives of victims of domestic violence are paramount to such work.
Questions to Consider:
1. What negative consequences could result if a researcher is unconcerned about the way his/her results may influence policy within the domain of domestic violence?
2. Why might domestic violence research, even today, be guided by a feminist perspective?
3. What are some benefits of returning to more nontraditional and qualitative research methodologies in domestic violence research?
Article 2: Raphael, J. (2004). Rethinking criminal justice responses to intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 10(11), 1354-1366.
Summary: This article provides a critique to the contemporary criminal justice-reliant response to domestic violence in America. Rather than process cases with a punitive focus, it has been suggested that alternative responses are warranted. The author, however, provides a highly critical commentary on the state of domestic violence research and advocates that the use of the criminal justice system as a response to domestic violence can be beneficial, including the influence of law on cultural change. The debate about how (else) to combat the issue of domestic violence should continue to benefit all involved.
Questions to Consider:
1. How can law influence cultural change?
2. In what way(s) can the criminal justice system be an inappropriate and even harmful response to victims of domestic violence?
3. To what extent is domestic violence a private matter and to what extent is it a societal problem? Are these complimentary? Do they/can they overlap?