Narratives of Childhood Domestic Violence by Frances, Tanya;

Short description:

Narratives of Childhood Domestic Violence explores young women’s accounts of transitions to young adulthood after domestic abuse in childhood, from a psychological perspective.

Long description:

Narratives of Childhood Domestic Violence explores young women’s accounts of transitions to young adulthood after domestic violence in childhood, from a psychological perspective.

This book centres a dialogue about epistemic justice and how experiences of violence that are marginal, marginalised, and less easily understood through dominant discourses can be listened to and heard. Taking a critical feminist psychological approach, Frances examines gendered and socio-culturally located narrative practices, arguing that narratives about change and transition in young adulthood after childhood domestic violence both re-inscribe societal narratives that can be constraining and present stories of resistance and hope. This book draws attention to the difficulties of being heard and understood when articulating an experience that sits in tension with normative expectations and trajectories for families and children growing up within them. It also examines how tensions in storytelling practices are articulated in creative, nuanced and diverse ways. Frances ends the book by offering considerations for theory, research and practice, including practical implications and interventions and recommendations for policy.

This is an essential resource for academics and students interested in violence against women, feminist psychology, childhood abuse and concerns around epistemic justice, as well as professionals in counselling, social work, charity work, law and policy making.

‘This well written book, based on careful and thoughtful research, extends the current literature on how we think about the impact of domestic abuse on children and young people, and the longer term implications of this across the lifecourse. The book goes beyond the victim/survivor binary, to explore how young women have made sense of their childhood experiences, and how their identities have been shaped and reshaped by these experiences. The book is a compelling read. I strongly recommend anyone interested in children and young people’s experiences of domestic abuse to read this book – which should be everyone.’

Dr John Devaney, Professor of Social Work, University of Edinburgh, UK

‘This book is a courageous trailblazer for gender specific understandings of childhood domestic abuse, focusing on girls’ experiences which are often overlooked and silent(ced). Actively leaning into the complexities and tensions of young women's perspectives and rooted in epistemic justice, Dr Frances explores girls’ inner worlds. The use of poetry to examine the narratives is enchanting. Written with sensitivity, respect, and reflexivity, Dr Frances holds the narratives like butterflies in her hands. A beautifully written book which offers a beacon of hope for girls to step out of the shadows; they deserve to be heard.’

Dr Jade Levell, Senior Lecturer in Criminology and Gender Violence, University of Bristol, UK

‘This is a compelling book that critically considers human violence. Tanya Frances has developed a richly narrated critique of domestic violence theory and conveys the power of redressing epistemic injustices where people's lived experiences fall into knowledge gaps.  Her research with people who have experienced violence and focus upon its effects is rigorous and holds central, the contributors’ experiences.  There is precision and power in the presentation of this important textbook and I highly recommend it for people wanting to understand more about domestic abuse or those working within the counselling and mental health professions.’

Lynne Gabriel, OBE, PhD, Professor of Counselling and Mental Health, York St John University, UK

Table of Contents:

1. The beginning  2. Domestic violence in children’s lives  3. A feminist psychological perspective on memory, gender and voice/s  4. Interviewing women and working with poems  5. Transitions  6. Recoveries  7. Precarious work and creative assemblages of voice/s 8. Toward epistemic justice: embodied and reflexive listening   9. Staying with and looking ahead