Fundamental Role Played By Social Movements in the Identification of Family Violence

            Despite the fact that social movements did not eradicate family violence and abuse, they were able to identify the violent acts such as acts of rape among women which was not taken as an offense. These social movements played a significant role in identifying these violent acts. To start with, battered women came from nowhere who led to the emerging of feminist lawyers, therapists and anti-rape workers. These groups played a significant role as discussed below.

The feminist lawyers who later formed two major branches that is; women’s liberation movement and women’s rights feminism (Thomas, 2001). These feminist lawyers acted as a voice for women to defend the abused women because the major cause for their abuse was lack of voice. Women could not be listened at even at the courts of law. Therefore this marked the start of recognizing women power in the society. The two feminism branches responded to the material subordination and discrimination experienced by women and also helped to create an atmosphere for women to understand and speak out battering (Thomas, 2001).

            Anti-rape movement created awareness and redefined parameters of what would be tolerable by women. It unearthed many ways in which victims of rape were being blamed and silenced. Because many women would keep it a secret when found victims of rape for fear to be treated as criminals (Thomas, 2001). Therefore, this movement demanded for legal and institutional reforms. Women were entirely abused in the family and could not have any right, but through these, movements fought to bring models of freedom for women. Women started working for wages which gave an options for them to fight against male domination.

References

Thomas, J. (2001). Social movements and violence. New Delhi: Mittal Publ.