NCJ Number
100553
Journal
Internation Journal of the Sociology of Law Volume: 13 Issue: 4 Dated: (November 1985) Pages: 357-374
Date Published
1985
Length
18 pages
Annotation
The rhetoric of protection and women's experience of violence from men is examined in two Western democratic societies: the United States and Great Britain.
Abstract
An exploration of State-funded crime surveys examines how women accept as reality the promise of State protection from criminal victimization. Next, it is shown that fear of crime, rather than crime itself, may represent the largest issue for researchers and policymakers. Feminist research and activist strategies that began in the 1970's to confront the State's lack of response to male violence to women then is examined. It is argued that in relation to women, the rhetoric of protection arises out of male social and interpersonal domination. It is suggested that a recognition of the pervasiveness of male violence to women will lead to a more focused attack on the rhetoric of law and order in the United States and Britain. It is concluded that the emphasis on fear of crime may bring together two specializations in sociology: criminology and violence toward women. 90 references (Author abstract modified)