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Reframing the Narrative of the Battered Women's Movement

NCJ Number
245938
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 19 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2013 Pages: 557-578
Author(s)
Gretchen Arnold; Jami Ake
Date Published
May 2013
Length
22 pages
Annotation
Many claim that the battered women's movement has been co-opted and depoliticized.
Abstract
Many claim that the battered women's movement has been co-opted and depoliticized. We argue that this narrative of decline should be reframed as one of continual growth that has incorporated evolving feminist frameworks. We show how the movement's first generation of activists has learned from its mistakes and continues to challenge systems that fail survivors of abuse. In addition, a second generation of activists, many of whom are minority women, has created new organizations and new ways to practice intersectionality. We conclude that each strand within the movement brings complementary strengths that can prepare it to meet future challenges. Abstract published by arrangement with Sage.