Articles about Violence
Stopping the violence is a major feminist concern.
What have I done: escaping domestic violence
When Amanda Prowse set out to write a novel about an abusive marriage, she spoke to women who had experienced violent relationships. The number of women who came forward to talk to her confirms how widespread domestic violence is
Amanda Prowse // 22 April 2013
Categories: Features, Sex and Relationships, Violence
After the trial: seeking justice for rape
Annie Moran, whose rapist was tried and convicted recently, expresses her misgivings about the current justice system and urges discussion about rape
Annie Moran // 4 March 2013
It's only rock'n'roll but I don't like it
Is it 'only rock'n'roll' when a well known male music star beats his wife or girlfriend? And why do men and women alike afford these stars second, third and fourth chances? Amanda McIndoe investigates
Amanda McIndoe // 1 June 2012
Categories: Culture and Media, Features, Feminism, Men, Music, Violence
Challenging rape myths in the mainstream
Emilia di Girolamo, the lead writer on Law and Order: UK, takes an unflinching view of gang rape in the show's next episode. Siân Norris met her to discuss her motivations
Sian Norris // 29 January 2012
Categories: Culture and Media, Interviews, Violence
Take back the tech
In Cairo and New Dehli, smart phone apps are being used to map sexual harassment and report sexual assault. Farah Jassat reports
Farah Jassat // 5 January 2012
Categories: Violence
How the coalition cuts are impacting the women of Bristol
As a report finds Bristol's women are being hit hard by coalition cuts, Sian Norris interviews domestic violence advisor Sian Taylor from Wish, one of the organisations forced to slash services
Sian Norris // 2 November 2011
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
After Banaz Mahmod, where is the justice for victims of honour-based violence?
Five years after Banaz Mahmod's murder, it's time for the government to get serious on honour-based violence, argues Fionnuala Murphy from the Iranian and Kurdish Women's Rights Organisation
Fionnuala Murphy // 23 August 2011
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
Feminist critics of SlutWalk have forgotten that language is not a commodity
SlutWalk is primarily a protest movement against victim-blaming, points out Sophie Jones. Feminist critics of the name have got the wrong end of the stick, she argues
Sophie Jones // 8 June 2011
A day-by-day struggle
From the struggle to keep domestic violence shelters open to the machinations of which mullah to align with, a discussion with four Afghan politicians reveals the challenges women face. Helen G reports
Helen G // 21 March 2011
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Religion, Violence
Putting survivors back in the centre of the anti-violence movement
Girls and women who have survived violence are increasingly marginalised and silenced by the very services set up to support them, say Sophie Taylor and Davina James-Hanman from the AVA Project
Sophie Taylor and Davina James-Hanman // 25 October 2010
Categories: Violence
A cautionary tale of a 'feminist' man
Justine tells the story of one abusive relationship
Justine // 8 October 2010
Categories: Violence
Rape: treat the cause, not the symptom
After the rape attacks on female festival-goers this summer, platitudes are not the answer, argues Amy Nicholson
Amy Nicholson // 23 July 2010
Categories: Violence
On sisterhood
Katie Sutton was called sexist names at Reclaim the Night, amid continued disagreements between feminists over the issue of prostitution/sex work. Where now for sisterhood at these public events? Includes a response by Finn Mackay
Various Authors // 9 December 2009
Gender and sentencing
Are the scales of justice in alignment? Rachel Thwaites looks at how women and men are so often treated differently by the system if they commit violent crimes
Rachel Thwaites // 14 November 2009
Categories: Culture and Media, Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
Breaking the circle
We know that sexual violence is all too common and everyday. Here 'L' talks through repeat experiences of being targetted with abuse and sexual assault by boys and men
L // 25 May 2009
On kickboxing, women's aggression and self-defence
Jessica Burton explains how kickboxing changed how she feels about her own body and her confidence in the face of harassment and potential violence
Jessica Burton // 16 May 2009
Categories: Body and Health, Violence
For the good of the species?
If you believe one story on a popular science news site, there's proof that older men "chasing" younger women benefits humankind (or should that be mankind?) Eirwen-Jane Pierrot considers the impact of these sensationalist claims on women in the real world
Eirwen-Jane Pierrot // 15 April 2009
Categories: Culture and Media, Men, Sex and Relationships, Stereotypes, Violence
Alright darlin'
Selina Jervis reports that sexual harassment in public spaces has reached critical levels
Selina Jervis // 8 February 2009
Challenging sex object culture: definitely needed, definitely lively and definitely a key issue for 2009!
A recent feature in The Times labelled protests against the Miss University London beauty pagaents "old fashioned". But, argues Sandrine Levêque, if anything campaigns against the objectification of women and girls are more relevant today than ever
Sandrine Levêque // 4 January 2009
Categories: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Feminism, Racism, Sex and Relationships, Stereotypes, Violence, Work and Play
'Hasn't anybody ever told you a handful is enough?'
Boys groped her, men shouted at her on the street, and girls and women reacted with hostility. Samara Ginsberg reports on growing up with large breasts
Samara Ginsberg // 14 December 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Fashion and Image, Violence
Now That's What I Call Misogyny!
Molly Lavender is exasperated at gender segregation in music – and the way pop songs valorise abusive relationships
Molly Lavender // 4 December 2008
Categories: Culture and Media, Sex and Relationships, Stereotypes, Violence
From the front lines
One in four women experience domestic violence during their lifetime. Ella Alexander spent a day at a women's refuge learning about the human toll of a crime so common it is no longer considered newsworthy
Ella Alexander // 19 October 2008
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
Incitement to rape
Denying women's sexuality won't prevent rape, argues Victoria Dutchman-Smith
Victoria Dutchman-Smith // 13 October 2008
Categories: Sex and Relationships, Violence
Knife crime and masculinity
Forget single mums and absent fathers - the current spate of knife crime can be traced back to the so-called 'real man', argues Jennifer Drew
Jennifer Drew // 18 July 2008
Categories: Men, Stereotypes, Violence
Domestic violence and disabled women
Disabled women are twice as likely to experience domestic violence, and can face a range of additional barriers - from inaccessible shelters onwards, Clare Laxton reports
Clare Laxton // 12 July 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Feminism, Stereotypes, Violence
Are women and girls vulnerable?
Violent men do not attack girls or women because they are 'vulnerable', argues Jennifer Drew, and it deflects attention from the perpetrators to pretend otherwise
Jennifer Drew // 19 May 2008
Categories: Culture and Media, Men, Violence
The Oxbridge sex workers
Laurie Penny considers why so many Oxbridge students are going into prostitution and stripping, and the impact the media coverage of their stories has on women in less privileged positions
Laurie Penny // 11 May 2008
Categories: Culture and Media, Men, Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
The epidemic of male violence against women
A spate of convictions has put femicide into the headlines again. But, as Jennifer Drew reports, the media is still blaming women - and ignoring 'everyday' incidents of male violence against women
Jennifer Drew // 6 April 2008
Categories: Culture and Media, Men, Violence
Stopping violence against women at its primary root
Matthew Provost draws the connections between male violence against women and bullying in the playground
Matthew Provost // 4 April 2008
Categories: Violence
Walking on eggshells
Approaching men on the street and asking them to undress and be photographed can be frightening - and highlights the struggle for women to find equality. Alex Brew explains
Alex Brew // 2 April 2008
Categories: Culture and Media, Men, Violence
How to get an activist movement to keep women in prostitution
What use are sex worker groups that give out condoms and showers, but can't help women who want to exit prostitution? Ekis reports from Barcelona on prostitution and the campaign for legalisation
Ekis // 16 March 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Feminism, Language, Politics and Current Affairs, Sex and Relationships, Violence, Work and Play
'I'm no sad victim. I've seen and survived the darkest side of life'
Amina pairs women who have experienced sexual violence with volunteers who have been through the same ordeal - and turns their perceived 'victim' status on its head. Rachel Bell reports
Rachel Bell // 10 March 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Violence
Not a happy birthday
Threatened, intimidated, bullied, violated: this is hospital birth as many mothers experience it. Amity Reed reports on the little-recognised crime of birth rape
Amity Reed // 7 March 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Violence
UK feminists must address worldwide issues
All over the planet women are denied the most basic rights. Ruthie Samuel asks: where is the outrage?
Ruthie Samuel // 4 February 2008
Categories: Culture and Media, Feminism, Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
Crime and patriarchy
Jo Legg asks, when will feminists take over the Home Office?
Jo Legg // 3 February 2008
How the word 'slut' oppresses women
Ever been called a 'slag'? How about 'frigid'? Jennifer Drew explains how such derogatory language is used to keep women in their place
Jennifer Drew // 31 January 2008
Categories: Language, Sex and Relationships, Violence
Against censorship
Porn should be reformed, not banned, argues Laurie Penny
Laurie Penny // 2 January 2008
Categories: Body and Health, Culture and Media, Sex and Relationships, Violence
Does 'gender neutral' language serve to cover up male violence?
Gender-neutral language applies to male criminals, but not to their female victims, argues Jennifer Drew
Jennifer Drew // 3 December 2007
Categories: Culture and Media, Language, Men, Violence
From 'oy sexy' to 'frigid bitch' in 30 seconds
The odd wolf whistle might seem flattering, says Abi M, but catcalling and street harassment can easily turn into something more threatening
Abi M // 31 October 2007
Edinburgh gets ready to Reclaim the Night
A march through the streets can be a powerful thing for women who are often isolated from other feminists, argues Rebecca Heller, one of the organisers of Edinburgh's Reclaim the Night March planned for 11 October
Rebecca Heller // 29 September 2007
Coitophobia: who do you trust?
Maria Roberts explains why she bypassed writing about the experience of domestic violence, to craft a play about two women pulling themselves together after their escape
Maria Roberts // 8 August 2007
Categories: Culture and Media, Sex and Relationships, Violence
Rape - is it our fault?
Anti-rape campaigns spend too much time trying to scare the wits out of women, while perpetrators are all but ignored, argues Dwysan Edwards
Dwysan Edwards // 2 May 2007
A worthwhile women's day
Fed up with most of the events put on for International Women's Day, Angela Brant found herself at an illuminating talk on women living under religious and oppressive laws
Angela Brant // 29 March 2007
Categories: Activism, Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
From peace camps to protests - Finn Mackay
In the second of a series of interviews with inspiring women, Jess McCabe talks to Finn Mackay, the brains behind the Reclaim the Night marches and the London Feminist Network
Jess McCabe // 3 March 2007
Categories: Feminism, Interviews, Violence
Suffering in Silence
One woman's story of street harassment turned George Mason from anti-feminist to women's rights advocate. Now, he urges more women to speak out about their experiences
George Mason // 1 March 2007
Fear Factor
Claire McGowan explains how well-meaning Government and media campaigns to protect women could be focussing on the wrong issues. Preventing male violence, she argues, can not and should not be solved by women living in a state of terror, complying with unofficial curfews or restricting their own freedom.
Claire McGowan // 1 February 2007
Categories: Violence
Sexual Harassment is Not Trivial
Helen Clarke is disappointed with Germaine Greer, whose comments about events on Australian Big Brother seemed to dismiss sexual harassment as "trivial".
Helen Clarke // 24 July 2006
Categories: Culture and Media, Violence
Where's the real war on terror?
Michelle Wright thinks the Government has the wrong priorities when it comes to protecting British citizens from terrorism. Women are under attack, she argues; not only from the abusers and rapists, but from the institutions and systems that are supposedly there to protect us.
Michelle Wright // 1 July 2006
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
Pretending That Men Aren't Grown-Ups
Ellery takes issue with a Times article entitled "Pretending That Women Aren't Grown-Ups", which said that women should change their behaviour to prevent being raped. Ellery argues that that expecting women to take responsibility for rapists' actions is a double standard which sees men as irrational brutes and rape as a fact of life.
Ellery // 12 February 2006
Take Back The Streets
Ever tensed up when forced to walk past stationary traffic? Cringed when a stranger, out of nowhere, instructs you to smile? Choked down your anger as a passer-by whispers obscenities? Changed your route to work to avoid harassment hot-spots? As these stories show, you're not alone.
Various Authors // 14 April 2005
Categories: Violence
How Everyday It Is
Louise Livesey explains how she found herself in Court, giving evidence which would be used to support her own harasser. A by-stander in a violent incident between two men, she recounts how the fact of her own harassment was treated by the system as incidental.
Louise Livesey // 10 April 2005
Categories: Violence
Subvert the Dominant Pimpiarchy
How did the abusive, exploitative role of Pimp become the epitome of cool? Rachel Bell comments on this outrageous trend in modern culture.
Rachel Bell // 8 November 2004
Categories: Culture and Media, Language, Violence
Crime and Punishment: Maxine Carr and other 'evil women'
Jo Knowles explains how the media's demonisation of Maxine Carr is symptomatic of stereotypes often attached to women: either Angels or Monsters, not flawed human beings.
Jo Knowles // 1 June 2004
Categories: Culture and Media, Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
Re-classifying rape
Ilona Jasiewicz argues for re-classifying rape from a sex crime to a hate crime, to make clear that the motive of rape is power - not passion.
Ilona Jasiewicz // 19 December 2003
Categories: Politics and Current Affairs, Violence
It's rude to point: blame culture's easy way out
New crime statistics show that reports of rape are on the increase - yet the conviction rate remains pitifully low. Why, asks Carter-Ann Mahdavi, are the female victims still being blamed, and the actions of male rapists ignored?
Carter-Ann Mahdavi // 19 August 2003
Categories: Culture and Media, Violence
All About Eve
JoJo Kirtley is astounded and disappointed that British feminists seem to have been distracted by trivia and have forgotten the fundamental feminist issue: stopping the violence.
JoJo Kirtley // 16 November 2002
Bend Over Girls - he's in Freak Mode
Society needs to stop thinking of men as slaves to their sexual urges, argues Holly Combe. She examines the damaging common idea that, once aroused, men become an unstoppable force that it would be rude - even immoral - to try to stop.
Holly Combe // 16 September 2002
Categories: Men, Sex and Relationships, Violence
Grrl Activistas - an introduction
Aoife McBride of the campaigning group 'Grrl Activistas' explains the group's aims and how the group started.
Aoife McBride // 16 May 2002
Categories: Activism, Culture and Media, Violence
Fighting Back: self defence for women and girls
The creator of the fantastic Morgenmuffel zine, Isy, has created an excellent self-defence leaflet aimed at women and girls. The A5 leaflet is all hand-drawn and contains simple and useful guidance. I thought it was so great I had to share it with more people! Isy is anti-copyright so anyone is welcome to print and photocopy it to spread the word.
Catherine Redfern // 16 April 2002
Categories: Violence
Why Irma Kurtz is wrong about rape
In the June 2001 issue of British Cosmopolitan, the agony aunt Irma Kurtz replied to a reader's letter about rape. I think Irma's advice was irresponsible, insensitive, and re-iterates all the old myths about rape that we have tried so hard to break down over 30 years of feminism.
Catherine Redfern // 13 July 2001
Categories: Culture and Media, Sex and Relationships, Violence
