Intimate Partner Violence

¶ … gender, race, and sexual orientation? What affect does this have on us and our way of thinking? Katz argues that domestic violence is a male issue given that men tend to be the major perpetrators of this crime. However, there tends to be a reflexive view of all gender-related issues as particular to women alone, similar to how racial issues are viewed as only of interest to black people (as if the dominant group had no role in perpetrating the abuse of power).

What did you think about his sentence activity? Does it make you feel differently about language and sexual assault? I think his language illustration is important because it underlines how language does influence how the crime is viewed. The identity of a woman as a 'battered woman' takes the blame off of her husband as if she is innately destined to be battered.

His example made me think how the names of rape victims are never revealed in the news media, versus the victims of other crimes, as if being a victim of the crime is shameful. Q3.

What does he say about "individual perpetrators"? How do we see them, how is this contrary to reality and what does he say actually helps in creating these perpetrators? Katz believes that violence against women is not produced by individual violent impulses alone; rather it is produced by a culture and a language which condones violence and even associates violence against women with positive aspects of masculinity.

Even when violence against women is condemned, it is objectified as an isolated incident rather than seen for what it is: a product of a larger male-dominated culture. Q4.

What is the name of Katz program and what is the definition he gives for this title? What is taught in this program? Do you think something like this can work? Why or why not? The name of the program is "Violence and Silence." Because we live in a culture where violence against women is condoned and normalized, there is widespread silence about the nature of this crime. Women are seen as natural victims; males as perpetrators.

When women are victimized, it is seen as a condition intrinsic to the female gender and when men are violent it is ignored and tacitly tolerated. Katz argues that men must act to challenge sexist language rather than ignore it. Q5.

Who does Katz say we need to be holding accountable as leaders on the issues of violence against women and why? Adult men: while adolescent boys should certainly speak out it is incumbent upon men in positions of power to set the tone in the military, business, sports, and other respected venues. Only then can there be real change. Individuals who are sexist are bad leaders in our diverse America. Q6. Where most people say that individuals who make sexist or racist comments need sensitivity training, Katz disagrees.

What does he say they actually need and why? Katz argues that men must hold one another accountable for showing leadership on these issues and.