Responding to Intimate Violence against Women: The Role of Informal Networks

Description

Family members, friends, coworkers and neighbors are often the first to know that a woman has been abused by an intimate male partner. What is the proper course of action for those with knowledge of abuse? Using a wide range of empirical data from international sources, Renate Klein documents informal third parties as the first port of call, sources of support and interference, and gatekeepers to formal services. Family and social network members disrupt ongoing assaults, respond to disclosures of abuse and provide solace and practical help. These networks do not always side with victims, however, and may either sympathize with or actively support perpetrators. Klein illuminates the complexities of these contingent situations. Her analysis highlights the potential of informal third parties for effective intervention, demonstrating their significant role in promoting societies free from rape and domestic violence.

Renate Klein grew up in Germany and studied psychology at the University of Marburg. Since relocating to the United States in the 1990s, Klein has collaborated with international partners on projects related to gender, culture, violence, and violence prevention. She initiated an interdisciplinary network of researchers addressing gender and violence in Europe, which has fostered international collaborations and serves as a forum for constructive debate in this field. Klein has also supported voluntary sector-led research in the United States and England, working as a research consultant for nonprofit organizations in Central Maine.