Cinderella Seeks Shelter: Will the State, Church, or Civil Society Provide?

Marginality and the New Geography of Domestic Violence Policy in Post-Communist Poland

“…Robinson laments the absence of an independent civil society in Poland capable of articulating alternative images of women and fears the lasting effect of Liga Kobiet is that it largely delegitimated feminism among Poles, especially any kind of feminism promoted by the state (Robinson, 1995, p. 271). My research in Poland confirms that Poles feel very skeptical toward state-organized feminism and, indeed, closely associate feminism with state propaganda (Brunell, 2002). This finding, along with Poles' proven penchant for self-organization in the Solidarity movement, suggests that NGOs are likely to be the preferred mechanism for developing and implementing pro-women policies in post-communist Poland.…”

“…In addition to the survey research I conducted with a broad range of NGO activists and local government officials in each city, I conducted a dozen interviews with NGO activists working specifically in the area of domestic violence and/or other women's issues as well as an equal number of representatives of local government, including both elected officials (city council members) and workers in city departments of social services. My findings from this research (Brunell, 2002) inspired me to expand the geographical scope of my research on domestic violence in Poland in an attempt to discover the scope of NGO activities and the degree to which local government reforms and the national campaign were affecting the frequency and quality of interventions and service provision across Poland.…”

“…Although I have previously found that Catholic organizations may limit the options of women seeking to leave abusive relationships (Brunell, 2002), it appears that 'the Church' is not molding domestic violence services in a monolithic way. Rather, Catholic organizations seem to have varied responses to domestic violence.…”

“…3 The literature on domestic violence in post-communist Europe has illuminated several aspects of domestic violence service provision and policy. It has described how domestic violence is being reframed as a crime in specific countries, as well as the activities of specific centers, programs and initiatives (Brunell, 2002;Johnson, 2001, Mrsevic, 2000. Finally, it has suggested reforms needed in policing, in criminal prosecution procedures and norms, and in national legislation (Brunell, 2002;Johnson, 2001;Banwell et al, 2000;Cooper et al, 2000;Mrsevic, 2000;Philips, 2000).…”

“…It has described how domestic violence is being reframed as a crime in specific countries, as well as the activities of specific centers, programs and initiatives (Brunell, 2002;Johnson, 2001, Mrsevic, 2000. Finally, it has suggested reforms needed in policing, in criminal prosecution procedures and norms, and in national legislation (Brunell, 2002;Johnson, 2001;Banwell et al, 2000;Cooper et al, 2000;Mrsevic, 2000;Philips, 2000). Taken as a whole, this literature speaks to the need for institution building, especially to the need for creating woman-centered spaces that can critically examine the causes of domestic violence as well as ameliorate its effects.…”