Conference papers

Looking back, looking forward : two decades and shifting perspectives on familial violence

Elizabeth A Stanko
Beunel University, United Kingdom

Published in:
International victimology : selected papers from the 8th International Symposium : proceedings of a symposium held 21-26 August 1994
Chris Sumner, Mark Israel, Michael O'Connell and Rick Sarre (eds.)
ISBN 0 642 24008 6 ; ISSN 1034-5086
Canberra: Australian Institute of Criminology, 1996

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Abstract

Stanko reviews what researchers in victimology have discovered about exploitation and psychological and physical abuse within the heterosexual family, particularly of women, children and the elderly. She points out that studies have shown repeatedly that the most likely threats of sexual assault to children and adult women come from those with authority over, access to and intimacy with them. Violence between men and women, adults and children arises largely from familiarity. It is an integral part of many heterosexual relationships, buttressed by institutions and structures which privileges men's control over women and children. (Abridged version of paper)