Domestic Violence and the Politics of Privacy - by Kristin A Kelly (Hardcover)

About the Book

Although domestic violence is not new, it has only recently been recognized as a problem meriting public attention. Great strides have been made in some areas--such as protection orders and shelter provision--but the problem as a whole has proven...

Book Synopsis

Although domestic violence is not new, it has only recently been recognized as a problem meriting public attention. Great strides have been made in some areas--such as protection orders and shelter provision--but the problem as a whole has proven extremely resistant to countermeasures. In Domestic Violence and the Politics of Privacy, Kristin A. Kelly argues that understanding this resistance requires a recognition of the tension within liberalism between preserving the privacy of the family and protecting vulnerable individuals. Practical, real-world information gained from frontline workers underpins the author's suggestions for how to address this tension. In emphasizing the roles of democratic institutions and community participation in determining the shape of future policy about domestic violence, Kelly replaces the traditional opposition of the public and private spheres with a triangular relationship. The state, the family, and the community comprise the three corners.Kelly builds upon interviews with more than forty individuals working directly on the problem of domestic violence. Her model is further formed by a critical analysis of the theoretical and legal frameworks used to understand and regulate the relationship between public and private.

Review Quotes

From the beginning of the book, Kelly grabs her reader with the stark and shocking statistics on rates of domestic violence.... 'There should be a menu of alternatives for victims, ' rather than just the two choices of either going to law enforcement or staying silent, Kelly said. In order to provide more alternatives, she proposes a new model for dealing with the issue that enlists the help of not only the state and law enforcement but also the community.

Kristine Kelly's book combines a very good summary and critique of classical political thought and modern theorizing about the public/private split with an empirical study. She then uses conclusions drawn from that study to construct a more complex model of the relationship between the public and the private, one that is more appropriate for the analysis of domestic violence.

About the Author

Kristin A. Kelly is Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Connecticut.