Citation

Meyer S, Reeves E
In: The Criminalization of Violence Against Women: Comparative Perspectives. Fitz-Gibbon K, Walklate S, Douglas H, Fitz-Gibbon K, Goodmark L, Walklate S; eds. (2023). Oxford: Oxford University Press, 21-42 pages.

DOI

10.1093/oso/9780197651841.003.0002

URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/oso/9780197651841.003.0002

ISBN

978-0-19-765184-1

Abstract

The debate and law reform activity surrounding the need to criminalize coercive and controlling behaviors has spanned the globe. Those in favor of criminalization argue that the law sets the standard for acceptable behavior. Others urge caution, noting that law reforms introduced to improve responses to different forms of violence against women have historically brought about unintended consequences that undermine women's access to justice. This debate has occurred largely in the absence of any significant evidence regarding the views of victim-survivors of domestic and family violence. Drawing on the findings of an Australian national survey of victim-survivors' views on the criminalization of coercive control, this chapter addresses this knowledge gap. Privileging the voices of victim-survivors of coercive control, their views are explored on the role of law, the benefits and risks of criminalizing coercive control, and the (potential) impacts of criminalization on justice and safety outcomes for them.

Language: en