A Narrative Principle for Feminist Social Work With Survivors of Male Violence

Abstract

Blame surrounds and embeds male violence against women, acting as oppressive propaganda that shapes survivors’ identities, which, in turn, reduce their options. This article challenges the notion that violence against women renders women passive and precludes their resistance. It describes a narrative practice principle—coconstructing women’s new identity stories—to guide social work in countering this propaganda with women survivors of male violence. Blame is addressed as a cultural narrative within which some women are targeted by male violence and all women construct their identities. As a feminist social work principle, coconstructing women’s new identity stories connects the political and the individual facets of male violence, expanding women’s options for action. Specifically, the article presents the principle and three processes for translating it into action.

Small is not too Small

“…The more I read about focus groups and women's shared stories, the more the method resonated with my experience as a feminist clinician. I had the sense that focus groups created a forum for the same sort of collective emancipatory experience that group narrative-type therapy provided (Roche and Goldberg Wood, 2005). I remained convinced of the emancipatory potential of testimonio, and began viewing a combination of focus group methodology and in-depth interviewing using testimonio principles (witnessing, speaking the soul of a people, chronicling consientization) as an exciting blend of methods that could hear and honor women's storytelling, and counter the silencing effect of interlocking oppressions in the lives of women who abuse substances.…”

The significance of context and victim–offender relationship for Swedish social workers’ understandings of young men’s violent victimization

“…Such explanations bear similarities to the type of victim blaming that has been widely criticized by feminist scholars and professional helpers as one of the most harmful aspects of how female victims of male violence have been and still are treated in society, leading to passivity and hindering resistance and personal growth for those who are subjected to it (see, e.g. Roche and Wood, 2005). It is therefore somewhat alarming that such thoughts exist among professional helpers because, as discussed in the results section, it is quite likely that these ideas will spill over into the actual encounters with and treatment of young men in need of help, and lead to their receiving less practical and emotional support than others would have received.…”

Navigating the Domestic Violence Protection Law by Vietnamese Immigrant Wives in Taiwan

“…It is misleading to discuss domestic violence from an individual and gender neutral perspective, since it runs the risk of “blaming the victims.” Such discourses affect not only the treatment of abused women by others but also the self-identification of abused women (Roche & Wood, 2005). Bush has criticized American domestic violence law on the grounds that it presupposes a harmonious family without power relationships.…”