10 research outputs found
âI wasnât aware at the time, I could actually say ânoâ': intimacy, expectations, and consent in queer relationships
Drawing on interview data collected in three projects exploring domestic abuse in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs intimate relationships, this chapter examines sexual consent in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs abusive relationships through a queer lens. Three themes are considered. First, Catherine Donovan and Marianne Hesterâs two ârelationship rulesâ underpinning abusive relationships are applied. These determine that the relationship is for the abusive partner and on their terms; and that the victim/survivor is responsible for everything, including their partnerâs abusive behaviour. Participantsâ accounts show how these relationship rules can delegitimate victim/survivorsâ attempts to exercise consent and conversely legitimate non-consensual sex. Second, Carole Patemanâs âsexual contractâ is drawn upon to demonstrate how abusive partners mandate sex whenever and however they wish, while victimised partners feel duty-bound to acquiesce. This, it is argued, reproduces cis-heteronormative sexual scripts based on public stories about love and intimacy and conventionally gendered binaries such as initiator/follower. Third, accounts demonstrating how more experienced LGB and/or T+ partners can exercise experiential power to instil norms about sex and intimacy are analysed. It is concluded that these abusive practices frame the context in which sexual victimisation occurs in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs intimate relationships and inhibit victims/survivors from recognising and naming sexual violence.</p
Sexual violence as a sexual script in mainstream online pornography
This article examines the ways in which mainstream pornography positions sexual violence as a normative sexual script by analysing the video titles found on the landing pages of the three most popular pornography websites in the United Kingdom. The study draws on the largest research sample of online pornographic content to date and is unique in its focus on the content immediately advertised to a new user. We found that one in eight titles shown to first-time users on the first page of mainstream porn sites describe sexual activity that constitutes sexual violence. Our findings raise serious questions about the extent of criminal material easily and freely available on mainstream pornography websites and the efficacy of current regulatory mechanisms
Breaking barriers and building bridges: Police responses to same-sex partner abuse in England and Wales
Partner abuse is now recognised as a problem that affects people within same-sex relationships as well as those in heterosexual relationships, and literature in this area is on the increase. However, there is still a scarcity of research exploring how the police respond to people who report same-sex partner abuse. Using a mixed-method feminist approach, the aim of this thesis was therefore to explore the police responses to same-sex partner abuse in England and Wales. The nature and extent of reported same-sex partner abuse crimes in England and Wales was explored via data gathered from Freedom of Information requests sent to police forces. Alongside these, one-to-one interviews were carried out with victims who had experienced police response (n=4), police officers and staff (n=19), and professionals from statutory and voluntary organisations who support victims (n=12). Findings suggested that a âprocess-drivenâ approach was adopted by police; police generally stated that they respond in the same way to all partner abuse incidents. However, this meant that dynamics specific to same-sex relationships were sometimes overlooked. Perpetrators were also found to enact âpre-emptive coercive tacticsâ to discourage victim help seeking, and cause them to fear a âcoerced responseâ from help-providers. Additionally, gender stereotypes were found to influence police decision making around attribution of blame and risk, with physical injury being the key indicator used to determine risk. Freedom of Information requests also indicated that roughly half of police forces in England and Wales provide little or no specialist support for same-sex partner abuse victims. Implications for policy and practice include a rethink of the process-driven way of working, and ensuring police possess a thorough understanding of coercive control (including risks unique to same-sex relationships). Combining innovative methodology and a variety of participant voices to examine an under-explored area, this thesis offers a unique contribution to a small body of research within the UK exploring police responses to same-sex partner abuse
The Impact of Police âProcess-Driven Responsesâ on Supporting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and/or Transgenderâ+âVictim-Survivors of Domestic Abuse in England
The public story of domestic abuse (DA) sets out DA as a problem of cisgender, heterosexual âstrongâ men, perpetrating physical abuse towards cisgender, heterosexual âweakâ women. Drawing upon this narrative, LGB and/or Tâ+âvictim-survivors may not see their experiences reflected, and similarly, practitioners may view abuse in LGB and/or Tâ+âpeopleâs relationships as less serious, as âmutualâ or may miss dynamics unique to DA within these relationships. This article argues that when assessing risk and making subsequent decisions in relation to abuse within LBG and/or Tâ+âpeopleâs relationships, police enact âprocess-driven responsesâ, meaning that the same procedures are followed for all DA cases irrespective of the different identities and/or needs of the victim-survivors. We explore how process-driven responses are underpinned by the public story, and how this impacts the services provided to LGB and/or Tâ+âvictim-survivors
âItâs like weâre locked in a boxâ: Girlsâ and mothersâ experiences of the police and legal system following child sexual abuse
This article focuses on girlsâ and mothersâ experiences of police and criminal justice system responses and the impact of investigation processes following reporting of child sexual abuse. Participants spoke of a lack of timely therapeutic provision and the subsequent role of female caregivers in providing support. Problems with criminal justice processes and the subsequent impact on familiesâ wider lives were also discussed. Findings suggest that criminal justice processes need to be better attuned to these micro level impacts and should show more sensitivity to the overall experience of children in the aftermath of sexual abuse. Implications for practice are discussed
âI wasnât aware at the time, I could actually say ânoââ: Intimacy, Expectations, and Consent in Queer Relationships
Drawing on interview data collected in three projects exploring domestic abuse in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs intimate relationships, this chapter examines sexual consent in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs abusive relationships through a queer lens. Three themes are considered. First, Catherine Donovan and Marianne Hesterâs two ârelationship rulesâ underpinning abusive relationships are applied. These determine that the relationship is for the abusive partner and on their terms; and that the victim/survivor is responsible for everything, including their partnerâs abusive behaviour. Participantsâ accounts show how these relationship rules can delegitimate victim/survivorsâ attempts to exercise consent and conversely legitimate non-consensual sex. Second, Carole Patemanâs âsexual contractâ is drawn upon to demonstrate how abusive partners mandate sex whenever and however they wish, while victimised partners feel duty-bound to acquiesce. This, it is argued, reproduces cis-heteronormative sexual scripts based on public stories about love and intimacy and conventionally gendered binaries such as initiator/follower. Third, accounts demonstrating how more experienced LGB and/or T+ partners can exercise experiential power to instil norms about sex and intimacy are analysed. It is concluded that these abusive practices frame the context in which sexual victimisation occurs in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs intimate relationships and inhibit victims/survivors from recognising and naming sexual violence
âI wasnât aware at the time, I could actually say ânoâ': Intimacy, Expectations, and Consent in Queer Relationships
Drawing on interview data collected in three projects exploring domestic abuse in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs intimate relationships, this chapter examines sexual consent in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs abusive relationships through a queer lens. Three themes are considered. First, Catherine Donovan and Marianne Hesterâs two ârelationship rulesâ underpinning abusive relationships are applied. These determine that the relationship is for the abusive partner and on their terms; and that the victim/survivor is responsible for everything, including their partnerâs abusive behaviour. Participantsâ accounts show how these relationship rules can delegitimate victim/survivorsâ attempts to exercise consent and conversely legitimate non-consensual sex. Second, Carole Patemanâs âsexual contractâ is drawn upon to demonstrate how abusive partners mandate sex whenever and however they wish, while victimised partners feel duty-bound to acquiesce. This, it is argued, reproduces cis-heteronormative sexual scripts based on public stories about love and intimacy and conventionally gendered binaries such as initiator/follower. Third, accounts demonstrating how more experienced LGB and/or T+ partners can exercise experiential power to instil norms about sex and intimacy are analysed. It is concluded that these abusive practices frame the context in which sexual victimisation occurs in LGB and/or T+ peopleâs intimate relationships and inhibit victims/survivors from recognising and naming sexual violence.</p
Sexual violence as a sexual script in mainstream online pornography
This article examines the ways in which mainstream pornography positions sexual violence as a normative sexual script by analysing the video titles found on the landing pages of the three most popular pornography websites in the United Kingdom.
The study draws on the largest research sample of online pornographic content to date and is unique in its focus on the content immediately advertised to a new user. We found that one in eight titles shown to first-time users on the first page of mainstream porn sites describe sexual activity that constitutes sexual violence.
Our findings raise serious questions about the extent of criminal material easily and freely available on mainstream pornography websites and the efficacy of current regulatory mechanisms