Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur kvinnor som blivit utsatta för våld av män i nära relationer beskriver sina erfarenheter och hur det kan förklara svårigheten att lämna den våldsamma relationen. Datamaterialet består av fyra kvinnors självbiografier som analyserats utifrån tematisk analysmetod. Resultatet visar på att mäns våld i nära relationer är en komplex problematik som kan ses utifrån olika perspektiv och påverkas av olika faktorer. Det framgick att den våldsform som samtliga kvinnor blev utsatt för var psykiskt våld men det framkom även att det psykiska våldet kombinerades med någon annan form av våld och att de olika våldsformerna förstärkte varandra. Merparten av kvinnorna gav uttryck för beskrivningar som är förenlig med normaliseringsprocessen men resultatet av analysen påvisade att det inte alltid behöver vara så. Det känslomässiga bandet som skapas i relationens inledning har en betydande faktor genom hela relationen och är en förklaring till varför kvinnan stannar kvar i relationen. Utifrån kvinnornas beskrivningar av det upplevda våldet kan mäns våld mot kvinnor i nära relationer tolkas som ett uttryck för makt, kontroll och dominans över kvinnan. / The purpose of this study is to investigate how women who have been subjected to violence by men in close relationships describe their experiences and how it can explain the difficulty of leaving the violent relationships. The data material consists of four women's autobiographies that has been analyzed based on a thematic method of analysis. The result shows that men's violence in close relationships is a complex problem that can be seen from different perspectives and influenced by various factors. It emerged that the form of violence that all women were exposed to was psychological violence, but it also emerged that the psychological violence was combined with some other form of violence and that the various forms of violence reinforced each other. Most of the women expressed descriptions that are compatible with the normalization process, but the results of the analysis showed that this does not always have to be the case. The emotional bond that is created in the beginning of the relationship has a significant factor throughout the relationship and is an explanation for why the woman stays in the relationship. Based on women's descriptions of perceived violence, men's violence against women in close relationships can be interpreted as an expression of power, control and dominance over the woman.

This paper aims to examine how the legal status of animals as property affect them and their owners in the context of domestic abuse, and to answer the question of whether it would be appropriate to change this. Several methods are used, most notably the legal dogmatic, legal analytic, and socio-legal. A feminist perspective is also applied. Animals are classified as objects in the Swedish legal system. According to the courts, however, they are not an object like any other. Despite their legal status, they are entitled to certain rights. Through research on what is called the link, it has been proven that animals play a very important role in domestic abuse relationships. They are effectively weaponized against the woman, and they are also often themselves abused, something that is not always understood considering the animals’ status as property. Because of recent court judgements and other societal tendencies, it can however be discussed if this is still the case, or if the order is slowly shifting. The paper finds that it cannot be claimed that animals by the legal order are viewed as more than objects in cases of domestic abuse. It can however be claimed that court judgements, public projects and recent changes on the animal rights area show inclinations of the Swedish legal system increasingly acknowledging animals within the domestic abuse context, however principally to the extent the abused woman views the animal as meaningful to her. Further findings include that it is not expedient to broaden the right of appeal in animal rights cases for the sake of the domestically abused animal, until they are considered more than property. It is furthermore not expedient to consider all or certain types of animals as more than property in the context of domestic abuse, as it would not outweigh the opposing interests. The findings lead to the conclusion that animals in situations of domestic abuse are best protected within Swedish law by strengthening animal welfare, by recognizing abuse against animals as a form psychological violence against women, and by establishing national measures on how the link problematic is to be addressed and redressed.

I denna studie har vi undersökt husdjurens roll och påverkan på våldsutsattas uppbrott från relationer där det förekommit våld. Vi har genom semistrukturerade intervjuer med personal på skyddade boenden och kvinnojourer tagit del av vad de har för kunskap, erfarenhet och egna resonemang kring mäns våld mot kvinnor och barn samt uppbrottsprocessen där det finns husdjur med i bilden. Genom en tematisk analys tog vi oss närmare respondenternas arbetssätt, personliga- och organisatoriska förutsättningar samt utmaningar i arbetet med våldsutsatta och deras husdjur. Resultatet visar på en varierande kunskapsnivå och syn på husdjurens betydelse. Det vi kan se i studien är att husdjuren inte är uteslutna från våld i hemmet och våldet är både ett straffrättsligt lindrigt och ett känslomässigt effektivt sätt att skada även de tvåbenta i hushållet. Husdjuren kan vara en starkt kvarhållande faktor och möjligheten att rädda husdjuren från våldsutövaren kan vara en fråga om liv och död för husdjuren. För människorna som ändå lyckas lämna utan att ta med sig djuret kan det innebära stora trauman, känslor av skuld och skam samt en risk att hon till slut väljer att gå tillbaka till förövaren.Vi har tagit del av respondenternas tankar och förslag på framtida lösningar och önskemål. Studien visar att problemet med djurens utsatthet i våldsamma relationer är något som på flera sätt ingår i ett aktivt förändringsarbete på flera boenden just nu och med hjälp av kunskap och förståelse går det att rädda liv. / In this study we have examined the role and effect that pets have on victims of violence’s process of separation from relationships where violence exists. With semi-structured interviews with the staff from shelters and women’s shelters, we learnt more about their experience, knowledge, and reasoning around the violence in relationships and breakups where pets are present. Through a thematic analysis we have approached the respondents’ work procedures, organizational- and personal conditions as well as challenges in the work with victims of violence and their pets. The results show a varying knowledge level and view of the importance of pets. The study shows that the animals are not excluded from the domestic violence and that the violence is both punitively cheap but also an emotionally effective way to also harm the two-legged in the household. The animals can be a strong detaining factor and the opportunity of saving the animals from the perpetrator can be a matter of life and death for the animal. For the people that still manage to leave without bringing the animal with them it can amount to large trauma, feelings of guilt and shame, and that she in the end chooses to go back. We also got to take part of the respondents' thoughts and suggestions for future solutions and wishes. The study also shows that the problem with vulnerability of animals is something that in many ways is part of an active work for change in several shelters at this moment and that with the help of knowledge and understanding it is possible to save lives.

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In this qualitative study five police stations in the Tshwane Policing Precinct were selected. The objectives were to describe and explore the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials’ experiences on the nature and extent of domestic violence and the responsive strategies by relevant stakeholders thereof. Data collection literature review and key informant interviews were selected. Purposive sampling was adopted to cater for 40 sworn SAPS officials; each station was represented by seven participants. The findings suggest that many academics around the world overlook the importance women and children as core victims. As a result, they become the neglected people in our society. Thus, there is no simple solution to this crime to date. For recommendations a multi-agency approach whereby all relevant stakeholders try to address this scourge is needed to enhance reporting channels, advance SAPS skills and obtain more convictions. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

This exploratory study investigates how racialized immigrant women experience and respond to intimate partner abuse (IPA). The American and European models of intersectionality theory are used to highlight structural constraints and agentic responses as experienced and enacted by racialized immigrant women. Eight women described their experiences through semi-structured interviews, revealing an array of both defensive and pro-active types of strategies aimed at short- and long-term outcomes. Responses included aversion, negative reinforcement or coping strategies like prayer or self-coaching, and accordingly varied by the constraints under which the women lived as newcomers to Canada. Policy recommendations promote acknowledgement of women’s decision-making abilities and provide a model in which women can choose from a selection of options in how to respond, rather than strictly interventionist models. Study results can help to challenge stereotypes of abused women as passive victims, and empower the image of immigrant women as active knowers of their circumstances.

In this qualitative study five police stations in the Tshwane Policing Precinct were selected. The objectives were to describe and explore the South African Police Service (SAPS) officials’ experiences on the nature and extent of domestic violence and the responsive strategies by relevant stakeholders thereof. Data collection literature review and key informant interviews were selected. Purposive sampling was adopted to cater for 40 sworn SAPS officials; each station was represented by seven participants. The findings suggest that many academics around the world overlook the importance women and children as core victims. As a result, they become the neglected people in our society. Thus, there is no simple solution to this crime to date. For recommendations a multi-agency approach whereby all relevant stakeholders try to address this scourge is needed to enhance reporting channels, advance SAPS skills and obtain more convictions. / Police Practice / M. Tech. (Policing)

This study will explore the role of female authors and their female protagonists in contemporary Scottish and Nordic crime fiction. Authors including Val McDermid, Denise Mina, Lin Anderson and Liza Marklund are just a few of the women who have challenged the expectation of gender in the crime fiction genre. By setting their novels in contemporary society, they reflect a range of social and political issues through the lens of a female protagonist. By closely examining the female characters, all journalists, in Val McDermid’s Lindsay Gordon series; Denise Mina’s Paddy Meehan series; Anna Smith’s books about Rosie Gilmour; and Liza Marklund’s books about Annika Bengzton, I explore the issue of gender through these writers’ perspectives and also draw parallels between their societies. I document the influence of these writers on my own practice-based research, a novel, The Invisible Chains, set in post-Referendum Scotland. The thesis will examine and define the role of the female protagonist, offer a feminist reading of contemporary crime fiction, and investigate how the rise of human trafficking, the problem of domestic abuse in Scotland and society’s changing attitudes and values are reflected in contemporary crime novels, before discussing the narrative structures and techniques employed in the writing of The Invisible Chains. This novel allows us to consider the role of women in a contemporary and progressive society where women hold many senior positions in public life and examine whether they manage successfully to challenge traditional patriarchal hierarchies. The narrative is split between journalist Megan Ross, The Girl, a victim of human trafficking, and Trudy, who is being domestically abused, thus pulling together the themes of the critical genesis in the creative work. By focusing on the protagonist, the victims and raising awareness of human trafficking and domestic abuse, The Invisible Chains, an original creative work, reflects a contemporary society’s changing attitudes, problems and values.

This exploratory study investigates how racialized immigrant women experience and respond to intimate partner abuse (IPA). The American and European models of intersectionality theory are used to highlight structural constraints and agentic responses as experienced and enacted by racialized immigrant women. Eight women described their experiences through semi-structured interviews, revealing an array of both defensive and pro-active types of strategies aimed at short- and long-term outcomes. Responses included aversion, negative reinforcement or coping strategies like prayer or self-coaching, and accordingly varied by the constraints under which the women lived as newcomers to Canada. Policy recommendations promote acknowledgement of women’s decision-making abilities and provide a model in which women can choose from a selection of options in how to respond, rather than strictly interventionist models. Study results can help to challenge stereotypes of abused women as passive victims, and empower the image of immigrant women as active knowers of their circumstances.

Economic abuse does not always appear in the context of domestic abuse,there are other forms of abuse that are more mentioned in politics and inmedia, for example physical and psychological abuse. Previous researchshows that economic violence is often linked to psychological and physicalviolence and that it is mainly women who are overrepresented in terms ofvulnerability to violence. The consequences of economic violence have provento be many and big, in some terms even life-long for the women who havebeen exposed to the violence.The purpose of the study is to gain an increased understanding of socialworkers' experiences in working with women who have been exposed toeconomic violence by men they have a relationship with, as well as the socialand economic consequences the exposed women are left with. The theoriesused in the study are Yvonne Hirdman's theory of gender, as well as Goffman'stheory of stigmatization and social exclusion.Eight interviews of social workers have been conducted to get a picture ofwhat consequences women who are exposed to economic violence have andwhat obstacles and opportunities the social workers see in their work withwomen exposed to violence. The results show that men's economic violenceagainst women has major consequences for women's lives. The results alsoshow that social workers see both obstacles and opportunities in their work tohelp women exposed to economic violence.