An Integrative Feminist Model

Abstract

The feminist perspective on intimate partner violence is a predominant model in the field, although not immune to criticism. In this research, frontline workers in the violence against women movement responded to critiques of the feminist model. The project used a focus group and a modified grounded theory analysis. Participants agreed with some criticisms, including an overreliance on a punitive criminal justice system, but reported skepticism toward proposed alternatives. Findings led to the development of the Integrative Feminist Model, which expands the feminist perspective in response to critiques, new research, and alternative theories while retaining a gendered analysis of violence.

Exploring a Domestic Violence Intervention Curriculum for Immigrant Mexican Women in a Group Setting: A Pilot Study

“…A specific DVIM Curriculum was developed, based on previous focused investigations with IMW and designed to include DV intervention efforts within an empowerment framework for adult IMW (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover et al, 2008;Zust, 2006 women in this study discussed the importance of learning about safety planning, dynamics of DV, characteristics of healthy relationships and dating, accessing resources, and how they become empowered within their own culture. Culturally competent programs and curriculums are more likely to help IMW examine current relationships and dating patterns because they understand their relationship experiences within their own culture, which may lead to an increase in awareness, self-esteem, and future decision-making ability.…”

“…The majority of intervention efforts for women experiencing DV-related incidences with partners include empowering women through cognitivebehavioral changes to end a DV relationship (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover, Rainey, Berkman, & Marans, 2008;Zust, 2006), known as "crisis interventions" (i.e., education on navigating the criminal justice system), safety planning, short-term counseling at women's shelters, and support groups in community-based DV shelters or agencies (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail et al, 2007;Stover et al, 2008;Zust, 2006). Support groups conducted in community-based DV shelters or agencies use a specific educational curriculum to help women recover from a DV incident and increase self-esteem.…”

“…• For example: In the class on healthy relationships and domestic violence, participants were given the power and control and equality wheels (e.g., handouts) and we discussed in a large group the content • Self reflection writing activities: For example, in the class on cultural concepts, participants were asked to reflect and write on their experiences with the terms: familism and machismo manage DV-related incidences (Allen & Wozniak, 2011;McPhail, Busch, Kulkarni, & Rice, 2007;Whitaker et al, 2007). Although few investigators have examined the benefits of support groups for Latina women in these agency settings, culturally competent programs for IMW who cannot access community-based DV agencies or shelters are needed (Molina, Lawrence, & Azhar-Miller, 2009;Morales-Campos, Casillas, & McCurdy, 2009;Whitaker et al, 2007).…”

Contributions on thinking violence in the family. Lights and shadows of feminist discourse

“…Las temáticas de la "mujer maltratada" (battered woman) (Walker, 1977) o "maltrato hacia la esposa" (wife abuse) (Pfouts y Renz, 1981), se vuelven inteligibles como efecto de un sistema social desigual, que ubica a las mujeres en un lugar subordinado, en relación a los varones. Por lo tanto, la violencia debe entenderse como un comportamiento masculino dirigido hacia la mujer, que ratifica una diferencia de poder entre ambos (McPhail et al, 2007). Remarquemos, entonces, que el feminismo se ha ocupado en forma privilegiada -en el ámbito de la violencia en la familia-del tema de la violencia en la pareja (heterosexual), es decir, un escenario que pone en relación a un varón con una mujer.…”

“…Beverly McPhail et al (2007), analizan cómo en el contexto de los procesos judiciales sobre violencia doméstica, los profesionales y teóricos registran que pueden producirse situaciones aparentemente paradojales. En primer lugar, las situaciones de violencia suelen no poner fin a la relación de pareja; las mujeres desean seguir viendo a las parejas que las han golpeado y rechazan las medidas protectorias que establece la justicia.…”