Band Aids and Pretense

Arrest and criminal prosecution; civil protection orders; judicial trainings.  Necessary band aids resulting from our refusal to address cultural change .  As sincere as individual state actors may be in extending relief to those who experience intimate partner abuse, the efforts are overstated in significance.  Legal process is responsive to immediate need and danger, but is inadequate to provide long term help or autonomy.  Intimate partner abuse largely impacts the lives of women.  Current legal responses permit systemic players and the public to believe that they are protecting a vulnerable population.  And in part, we do address some of the needs of  those who experience abuse. As a culture, we are good at “rescuing” women when they are in crisis but rarely provided them with the supports that will actually help them attain autonomy.

Appearance drives public consciousness.  

Unseen is how the experience of  intimate terrorism ultimately boomerangs on the target. Survivors are provided with insufficient financial support.  The result is that the stress of financial insecurity and other adverse conditions are not relieved.  Largely, the limited legal remedies do not free the psychic and emotional energy that permits individuals to implement realistic options to escape poverty and abuse.  

If we truly wish to end intimate partner violence and gender discrimination, more radical remedies are needed.  We need to change how we raise our boys.  Are we willing to take that on?