Visibility and Invisibility in Women's Experiences of Domestic Violence
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Title The Beam and Shadow of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women’s Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse Name Josephine Neale This is a digitised version of a dissertation submitted to the University of Bedfordshire. It is available to view only. This item is subject to copyright. The Beam and Shadow of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women’s Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse Josephine Neale A thesis submitted to the University of Bedfordshire, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Institute of Applied Social Research University of Bedfordshire November 2017 Author’s Declaration I, Josephine Neale, declare that this thesis and the work presented in it are my own and have been generated by me as the result of my own original research. Thesis title: The Beam and Shadow of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women’s Experiences of Domestic Violence and Abuse I confirm that: 1. This work was done wholly or mainly while in candidature for a research degree at this University; 2. Where any part of this thesis has previously been submitted for a degree or any other qualification at this University or any other institution, this has been clearly stated; 3. Where I have cited the published work of others, this is always clearly attributed; 4. Where I have quoted from the work of others, the source is always given. With the exception of such quotations, this thesis is entirely my own work; 5. I have acknowledged all main sources of help; 6. None of this work has been published before submission. Josephine Neale i Abstract Although it has received greater policy attention in recent years, domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is a global problem that, at a national level, remains under-reported, under- prosecuted and under-convicted. The apparent ineffectiveness of policy approaches in reducing the incidence of DVA, or mitigating its social and economic costs, not least upon those directly experiencing DVA, forms the backcloth of this enquiry. The aim of the study presented in this thesis was to explore, from a feminist poststructuralist perspective, the processes by which heterosexual women enter, endure and leave abusive relationships. Using semi-structured narrative style interviews, I worked with fourteen women with a wide range of characteristics in terms of age, ethnicity, physicality, socio-economic status and the length of time elapsed since their experiences of abuse. Using Nicola Gavey’s (2005) concept of cultural scaffolding (the discourses and [hetero]normative practices that make it so difficult to identify a relationship as abusive), I examined the space between normalised heterosexual relationships and abuse and, in the process, provided a better understanding of women’s routes into DVA. I have shone a spotlight on the full range of perpetrators’ behaviours that entrap and oppress their female partners and have identified four key domains in which the tactics of the abuser work to: ensnare his victim; dismantle her previous identities; prevent her from leaving the relationship; and punish her for leaving. These include behaviours used to manipulate women’s social and support networks in order to prolong or sabotage their attempts to escape the abuse. From a feminist poststructuralist perspective, participants’ experiences of entering, enduring and leaving abusive relationships can be read as part of the wider cultural scaffolding of heteropatriarchy, which left them exposed to ensnarement and exploitation. Using Dark Triad (Paulhus 2002) as a model for conceptualising perpetrators’ manipulation of their ex-partners, their children, and professionals, I offer an alternative way of understanding men’s abuse of their female partners. ii Acknowledgements I would like to express my deep gratitude to the 14 women who participated in my study. I recognise the significance of what I was asking them to do, and the emotional costs of revisiting their experiences. I appreciate the time and energy that they so generously gave. Without their contribution, this study would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Luton All Women’s Centre, Stepping Stones, Watford Women’s Centre, and Women’s Aid in Luton for supporting my study by putting me in contact with participants. Sincere thanks are due to Professor David Barrett, Director of Studies, and Professor Samuel Stein, Second Supervisor. Their advice, guidance and belief in me have sustained me throughout the project. I owe a huge debt to Dr Kathryn Ellis, for her friendship and unstinting support in helping me to clarify my arguments. Last, but not least, I would like to thank my family. They have kept me grounded throughout, provided encouragement during my moments of self-doubt, and tolerated my frequent distraction with good grace. iii Presentations 2017 Remote Control: Post-Separation Domestic Abuse. British Psychological Society’s Psychology of Women Section Conference, Windsor, UK. 2016 Making Sense of Domestic Abuse: Individual Deficit, or 'Dark Tetrad' Personality? British Psychological Society’s Psychology of Women Section Conference, Windsor, UK. 2015 The Beam, and Shadows, of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women’s Accounts of Abusive Relationships. European Conference on Domestic Violence, Queen’s University, Belfast, NI. 2015 ‘Identity Theft’: Living With Domestic Abuse. British Psychological Society’s Psychology of Women Section Conference, Windsor, UK. 2015 Professionals’ Responses to Women in Abusive Relationships: Valued Support, or Collusion With Perpetrators? University of Northampton, ‘Violence: Children and Families’ Conference, Northampton, UK. 2014 The Beam, and Shadows, of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women's Accounts of Abusive Relationships. Luton Women’s Aid, Luton, UK. 2014 Making the Case for Victims' Meaningful Participation in the Development of Domestic Abuse Services. British Psychological Society’s Psychology of Women Section Conference, Windsor, UK. 2014 Professionals’ Responses to Women in Abusive Relationships. Watford and Three Rivers Domestic Abuse Forum, Watford, UK. 2014 Making the Case for Victims' Meaningful Participation in the Development of Domestic Abuse Services. Leighton-Linslade Women’s Group, Leighton Buzzard, UK. 2014 Professionals’ Responses to Women in Abusive Relationships. Luton Borough Council’s Domestic Violence Scrutiny Committee, Luton, UK. 2013 The Beam, and Shadows, of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women's Accounts of Abusive Relationships. Leighton-Linslade Women’s Group, Leighton Buzzard, UK. 2013 Professionals' Responses to Women in Abusive Relationships: Valued Support, or Collusion with Perpetrators? Leighton-Linslade Women’s Group, Leighton Buzzard, UK. 2013 Professionals' Responses to Women in Abusive Relationships: Valued Support, or Collusion with Perpetrators? British Psychological Society's Psychology of Women Conference, Windsor, UK. 2012 The Beam, and Shadows, of the Spotlight: Visibility and Invisibility in Women's Accounts of Abusive Relationships. British Psychological Society's Psychology of Women Conference, Windsor, UK. iv Contents Author’s Declaration ................................................................................................................................ i Abstract ................................................................................................................................................... ii Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................ iii Presentations ......................................................................................................................................... iv Figures and Tables .................................................................................................................................. 1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 2 DVA as a societal problem .................................................................................................................. 2 Prevalence and incidence ............................................................................................................... 2 Cost of DVA to the economy ........................................................................................................... 4 DVA as an individual problem ............................................................................................................. 5 Developing the rationale for the study ............................................................................................... 6 Aims and objectives ............................................................................................................................ 8 Research approach and methods ..................................................................................................... 10 Outline of thesis ................................................................................................................................ 11 Chapter 1 Understanding Domestic Violence and Abuse .................................................................. 13 The importance of language in feminist poststructuralist thinking.................................................. 13 The importance of language in the construction of meaning .....................................................