This inspiring book consists of writings from women of many cultures about initiatives, projects and ways of working to respond to violence. This collection will be powerfully relevant to practitioners working with individuals, families and/or communities whose lives are affected by violence and abuse. It includes practice-based chapters describing narrative ways of working with those who have experienced violence and also creative ways of engaging with men and women who have enacted violence against others. --- from the publisher Critical Acclaim: "In this book, women from many different cultures convey very thoughtful approaches to the task of stepping away from a violent way of living. The therapy work is often precisely described in clear steps that are very accessible for others to use. There are also many detailed examples of types of authentication - documents, outsider witnesses and even international correspondence. Finally, the impact of broader discourses regarding gender roles, femininity and masculinity, as well as the role of racism, are all acknowledged. The chapters of this book will strengthen my resolve." Norma Akamatsu (USA) "I really appreciate how the work of women of many cultures to address issues of violence has been documented in this book. Having access to these stories will encourage those of us who are trying to respond to these issues in our own communities. This book challenges us when it asks questions such as: * Has the professionalisation of our work closed off the possibilities for grass roots community action to address violence against women? * And if so, how can we turn this around? How can our work support local community initiatives? This collection inspires and challenges. It encourages us, the reader, to notice and support those who are already taking action to address violence. And it encourages us to take action ourselves." Tamalieutu Kiwi Tamasese (Samoa/New Zealand) "I am left with new hope, new ideas on how community initiatives might help with stopping the escalating violence in homes and neighbourhoods. Such interventions may in the end be our best hope for preventing violence and its devastating consequences." Anita Franklin (UK) Contents: Preface By Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese Introduction Setting the context: The personal is political and professional Talking about feminism, culture and violence A conversation between Angel Yuen and Cheryl White Part One: Working within our own cultures 1. Alternative interventions to violence: Creative interventions -- Mimi Kim 2. Nurturing resistance and refusing to separate gender, culture and religion: Responding to gendered violence in Muslim Australian communities -- Sekneh Beckett 3. Extending our vision: Responding to violence in Hong Kong families -- Angela Tsun On-kee 4. The work of the community patrol -- Djapirri Mununggirritj & Margaret Yunupingu On behalf of the Women's Patrols of Yirrkala and Gunyangara A reflection from Anita Franklin: Where we need to begin 5. Working within our own culture: many steps taken, many steps to go -- Mary Pekin, Manja Visschedijk and Genna Ward Part Two: Working across culture 6. Casting light -- Mercedes Martinez 7. On Meeting Dawn -- Lisa Berndt 8. Working for gender justice across cultures: An interview with Taimalieutu Kiwi Tamasese by Cheryl White 9. What do we mean by victim: And what do we mean by culture? -- Aya Okumura 10. Violence Upon Violence: Reflections on Institutional Practices towards Families Affected by Sexual Abuse -- Maisa Said-Albis A reflection from Norma Akamatsu: A Question about How Violence Becomes Normalised Part Three: Queer Matters 11. Honouring Complexity: Gender, culture and violence in the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer individuals -- Pat Durish Part Four: Working with those who have enacted violence 12. Responding to Men's Violence -- Nancy Gray 13. Conversations in groups with women about their experiences of using anger, abuse & violence -- Julice Sach 14. Young men and violence: For the love of mothers -- Angel Yuen (with a story from Heather Johnson) Postscript -- Ruth Pluznick About the Authors and Acknowledgements |