Vulnerable Bodies - Gendered violence Week 9 Embodiment & Feminist Theory

Recap Considered how embodiment is an organising structure which ‘values’ some bodies more than others Look at how bodies are always constructed and ‘dressed’ through markers of social divisions Considered the social construction of emotions

Outline Look at the how normative ideas about masculinity and femininity impact on understandings of violence Look at how this also impacts on the response to gendered violence Focus on domestic violence, rape and violence against men

Domestic violence 1 in 4 women will be a victim of domestic violence in their lifetime 2 women a week are killed by a current or former male partner Every minute 1 incident reported to the police Domestic violence accounts for 16 per cent of all violent crime Figures from

Rape 1 in 4 women have/will experience rape or attempted rape 97% of callers to Rape Crisis Lines knew their assailant prior to the assault Less than 6% of rapes reported to the police result in a conviction Figures from

Male victims of violence 1 in 5 young men (aged 16 to 24) experience a violent crime each year About 3% of men report a sexual assault (including child sex abuse) Men are 3 times more likely than women to be attacked by a stranger Figures from

Does the scale of violence surprise you? 4 out of 5 offenders (all crimes) are male. Why do you think this is?

Domestic Violence Abuse is often not just physical but includes other ‘controlling behaviours’ –Restriction of movement –Denial of money –Enforcing isolation –Destructive criticism and verbal abuse Destruction of self-confidence can prevent women from seeking help

Why doesn’t she leave? A common argument is that women should just leave violent relationships. But: –Women may care about the perpetrator and believe he will change –Destruction of self-confidence can prevent women from seeking help –They may want or feel forced to maintain the ‘norm’ of the family –Women may believe it is their fault –Women may be too frightened to leave –Women may lack resources to leave

Official responses DV is now taken more seriously as a crime But some Police officers do not see it as a ‘real’ crime – impact on evidence collection CPS may downgrade offences, non-custodial sentences common Fear may cause women to withdraw charges

Violence against women Feminists argue that domestic violence by men against women is the consequence of gender inequalities Men are encouraged to believe that they are entitled to power and control over their partners Perpetrators frequently blame their violence on either their partner (she provoked me) or something else (alcohol)

‘Real’ rape ‘Real rape’ is considered to be the violent sexual assault of a ‘respectable’ woman by a complete stranger –Most rapes do not fit this picture and so women’s complaints about rape are routinely disbelieved. –Although more women are reporting rape the conviction rates in the UK are decreasing.

Common Rape Myths Ideas about rape also impact on the way it is treated: –Women ask for it –Respectable women don’t get raped –Women can physically prevent rape –Women ‘cry rape’ after bad sex –Rapists are ‘insane’

Conviction of Rape DNA evidence usually can prove the sexual act took place So the offence of rape hinges on the issue of consent. –Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 the definition is ‘reasonable belief’ of consent As often only two people present, rape trials often come down to a judgement about the defendant and victim

Who is respectable? Women’s behaviour is judged to see if she meets the description of a true victim Her account may be discredited if she: –Drinks alcohol or takes drugs –Has the ‘wrong’ sexual history –Dresses up or dresses down –Is upset or is not upset

Behaviour on Trial? The victim’s behaviour both in their past and in relation to the assault is offered up for public scrutiny The defendant’s does not have to give an account of their behaviour –Prior sexual history often not disclosed –Prior convictions often not disclosed

Think back to how ideas about gender and socially constructed? What ideas about masculinity and femininity do you think can account for the treatment of violence against women?

‘Normal’ behaviour Women who do not confirm to ideas about ‘respectable’ feminine behaviour may be discredited ‘Active’ male sexuality may undermine his responsibility as a perpetrator

Is there a link between masculinity and violence?

Hegemonic masculinity Connell argues that hegemonic masculinity includes a idea of exerting power and control –Over other men and over women Images of ‘successful’ masculinity being dominant sustains the importance of exerting control –Are men socialised into violence?

Men at risk? Men are overwhelmingly the perpetrators of violence But this can overlook seeing them as victims –Men can feel pressured to be involved in violence –Men may not be able to admit their fears –Sexual violence against men is a particular taboo

Summary Violence is overwhelmingly gendered and is about power relationships Women are often held responsible for male violence Ideas about masculinity and femininity construct understandings and impact on responses to violence and victims

Next week Look at new technologies and their impact on bodies. We will consider the metaphor of the cyborg (the human/machine hybrid) Look at the trade in body parts