This thesis looked deeper into the subject of engaging men and boys in the issue of violence against women in Mauritius. The aim of the study was to investigate what methods were used to engage men and boys in the subject, as well as the challenges faced when working to engage men and boys in the subject of violence against women, and lastly if there is any new innovative strategies that could develop the area of engaging men and boys towards decreasing violence against women. The theory used in this study was hegemonic masculinity by Connell. We used abductive thematic network analysis (ATNA) as our method and analysis. In addition we also used Atlas.ti-7, a computerized data analysis tool, to categorize the data and to further create the themes and networks between them. Our results showed that one of the methods that were frequently used by the organizations was to empower men to make a change in their own life, and further becoming the change in society themselves. Another method used by some of the organizations was to create an alternative role of what masculinity is in order to change the stereotypical macho dominant man which includes being aggressive as one of the characteristics, for instance. Some of the difficulties faced by the organizations was the challenge of actually recruiting men and boys to the workshops, but also recruiting male facilitators as employees. Some of the innovative ideas put forward by the interviewees, was to engage boys at school more than what is done now, also to work with corporations and companies and their employees in the issues of violence against women.

No description available.

No description available.

M.A. / Wife abuse as a social construct had no reality until 1970 and as a result violence against women remained invisible and seemingly non-existent. When wife abuse was named, a new reality was created and for the first time women's experiences were acknowledged and validated. The process of naming, largely as a result of the efforts of many active feminists, generated an alternative reality providing the space for many new narratives to emerge. Research has shown that wife abuse is not a rare phenomenon. Conservative estimates suggest that at least one in four women in South Africa have experienced wife abuse at some point in their lives. This research. using a social constructionist perspective which adheres to feminist principles, will explore the multiple realities of wife abuse. It will thus continue the dialogue regarding wife abuse, generating new narratives and alternative meanings that will hopefully contribute toward a greater understanding of it. Chapter one discusses the prevalence of wife abuse within South Africa as well as the resultant effects. Chapter two attempts to document the long and insidious history of wife abuse that was legitimised within the law until the rise of feminism. The importance of feminism is discussed as part of the context. Chapter three discusses the "tools" to be used in this dissertation and explores the way in which wife abuse has emerged as a social construct. Chapter four reflects that the way in which wife abuse is meaningful to the participants is to a large extent shaped by the collective representations thereof, which are then considered. Chapter five discusses the social, psychological and legal response that has emerged because wife abuse was named. Chapter six charts the way in which wife abuse is understood and explicated through a feminist lens. Chapter seven is dedicated to the research methodology adopted in this dissertation. The tenets of a social constructionist post-modern framework an; explained, facilitating the ensuing discussion pertaining to the research design. Chapter eight illuminates the themes that evolved in discussion with participants reflecting that the way in which wife abuse is seen, perceived, experienced and understood is largely shaped by the various roles of the participants. Chapter nine looks specifically at how each participant constructs wife abuse. Chapter ten considers the way in which wife abuse is seen through the lens of a survivor and the way in which she perceives the role of alternative systems. Finally consideration is given to the absence of the "batterer''. Chapter eleven marks the last part of the dissertation in which the research process and themes are reflected upon and conclusions are drawn. finally chapter twelve critiques the research and makes recommendations for the future Concluding thoughts are verbalised regarding the journey that was taken and the journey that lies ahead.

The aim of this research was to achieve a better understanding of ways to support the safety of women who have experienced violence by their domestic partners. This descriptive study focused on seven cases handled by a mid-island child protection team who had recently been introducing a number of new practice approaches. Case files and interviews from child protection worker/former clients were used as the basis for this case study‘s analysis. The results offer a detailed glimpse into how child protection workers employ a variety of safety inviting practices and how women who have experienced violence perceive these practices. Three overlapping themes represent ways that child protection workers invited greater safety: validation, responding to mother‘s relational needs, and creating space for the mother to take the lead. The impacts of these practices are discussed and recommendations are offered for policy and procedural changes and training and supervision. / Graduate

CoordenaÃÃo de AperfeiÃoamento de Pessoal de NÃvel Superior / A violÃncia contra a mulher constitui um agravo recorrente no cenÃrio mundial tendo sido considerado problema relevante para a saÃde pÃblica e violaÃÃo dos direitos humanos. Teve-se como objetivo analisar a magnitude da violÃncia contra a mulher perpetrada por parceiro Ãntimo. Estudo quantitativo transversal, cuja coleta de dados foi realizada de junho a agosto de 2011, tomando-se por base dados de inquÃritos policiais que constam na Delegacia Especializada de Atendimento à Mulher de Fortaleza-CE. Selecionaram-se inquÃritos de mulheres na faixa etÃria de 20 a 59 anos, baseados em um processo de amostragem do qual resultaram em 395 inquÃritos policiais. Destes, 325 foram de mulheres que deram prosseguimento ao processo judicial e 70 desistiram da denÃncia do agressor. Para a coleta de dados, foram extraÃdas variÃveis relevantes dos inquÃritos que seguiram com processo, com vistas a contribuir na busca da possÃvel associaÃÃo entre a violÃncia fÃsica contra a mulher e os possÃveis fatores causais, tais como os socioeconÃmicos, tanto da vÃtima quanto do agressor, alÃm dos dados da ocorrÃncia. Enquanto os 70 processos arquivados foram apenas descritos, os que deram prosseguimento ao juizado tiveram seus dados analisados por meio do software STATA versÃo 10. A tipologia da violÃncia prevalente no estudo foi a nÃo fÃsica (57,2%). Entretanto, foi analisada a associaÃÃo, especificamente, entre a violÃncia fÃsica e seus possÃveis fatores. Para este fim, utilizou-se o cÃlculo da RazÃo de PrevalÃncia, Odds Ratio bruta e valores de significÃncia (p<0,20). Ao aplicar a regressÃo logÃstica para ajuste do modelo, concluiu-se que os fatores de risco associados para este tipo de agressÃo foram o nÃmero de filhos e o vÃnculo nÃo civilmente formal entre a vÃtima e o agressor (p=0,050; p=0,001, respectivamente; o ambiente do ocorrido ser o nÃo residencial (p=0,037); o autor ser solteiro (p=0,017); os possÃveis motivos segundo a vÃtima serem o consumo de Ãlcool ou drogas ou ambos em associaÃÃo, ciÃme ou nÃo aceitaÃÃo da separaÃÃo, alÃm do histÃrico de agressividade do autor (p=0,002); os possÃveis motivos segundo o agressor tais como o consumo de Ãlcool e drogas por ele, ciÃme, nÃo conformaÃÃo com a separaÃÃo, a alegaÃÃo de infidelidade por parte da mulher assim como a culpabilidade da vÃtima (p=0,000). Destacou-se o registro de BO anterior como fator de proteÃÃo à integridade fÃsica da mulher (p=0,050). Mesmo sem dimensionar a procura da mulher vÃtima de lesÃo corporal por um serviÃo de saÃde, à evidente o nÃmero de casos nÃo notificados pelo sistema e a vÃtima acaba por se tornar, mais uma vez, negligenciada. Ademais, a violÃncia nÃo fÃsica tambÃm deixa sequelas inimaginÃveis no histÃrico de vida de uma mulher. Contudo, urge a integraÃÃo dos serviÃos com vistas a combatÃ-la.

No abstract available. / Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2012. / gm2014 / Centre for Human Rights / unrestricted

No description available.

This thesis examines the experiences and perceptions that Aboriginal and white women have about abusive relationships and about the police responses to these situations. Differences and similarities between these two groups of women will further highlight the need for resources and policing which are sensitive to the different needs of both groups. Assessments of the cultural differences between Aboriginal and white inner city women are particularly important as women seek to develop more and better alternatives to living in abusive relationships.<p>Theoretically, an examination of gender oppression through patriarchy and its effect on male violence towards women is provided. Understanding the influence of patriarchal social relations on the subordination of women in society is helpful in explaining the similarities in perceptions and experiences of male violence between Aboriginal and white inner city women. The subculture of violence theory is also examined and is used to help understand the differences in perceptions and experiences of these two groups of women. The argument is made that Aboriginal women have qualitatively different perceptions of both battery and the police response to their calls of battery due to the historical legacy of colonization of Aboriginal people in Canada.<p>The data were gathered via a questionnaire and in-person interviews which asked women respondents a wide variety of questions pertaining to their perceptions and experiences with battery, and any police involvement. The questionnaires obtained background information about respondents, responses to a 5 point Likert scale of attitudinal statements pertaining to battery and policing, and responses to specific questions which requested written responses. <p>Analysis of the quantitative data involved descriptive presentation examining relationships between the independent variable ethnic background and dependent variables, as indicated by the 25 questionnaire items, using bivariate distributions. The qualitative data were thematically coded and examined.<p>Importantly, the study revealed that there are significant differences between the perceptions of Aboriginal and white inner-city women. Aboriginal women were found to much more tolerant of abuse from their male partners, and were less likely to call the police in a time of crisis. It was also found that many Aboriginal women had very negative experiences with the police which further disadvantaged them when dealing with battery situations.

This thesis examines the experiences and perceptions that Aboriginal and white women have about abusive relationships and about the police responses to these situations. Differences and similarities between these two groups of women will further highlight the need for resources and policing which are sensitive to the different needs of both groups. Assessments of the cultural differences between Aboriginal and white inner city women are particularly important as women seek to develop more and better alternatives to living in abusive relationships.<p>Theoretically, an examination of gender oppression through patriarchy and its effect on male violence towards women is provided. Understanding the influence of patriarchal social relations on the subordination of women in society is helpful in explaining the similarities in perceptions and experiences of male violence between Aboriginal and white inner city women. The subculture of violence theory is also examined and is used to help understand the differences in perceptions and experiences of these two groups of women. The argument is made that Aboriginal women have qualitatively different perceptions of both battery and the police response to their calls of battery due to the historical legacy of colonization of Aboriginal people in Canada.<p>The data were gathered via a questionnaire and in-person interviews which asked women respondents a wide variety of questions pertaining to their perceptions and experiences with battery, and any police involvement. The questionnaires obtained background information about respondents, responses to a 5 point Likert scale of attitudinal statements pertaining to battery and policing, and responses to specific questions which requested written responses. <p>Analysis of the quantitative data involved descriptive presentation examining relationships between the independent variable ethnic background and dependent variables, as indicated by the 25 questionnaire items, using bivariate distributions. The qualitative data were thematically coded and examined.<p>Importantly, the study revealed that there are significant differences between the perceptions of Aboriginal and white inner-city women. Aboriginal women were found to much more tolerant of abuse from their male partners, and were less likely to call the police in a time of crisis. It was also found that many Aboriginal women had very negative experiences with the police which further disadvantaged them when dealing with battery situations.