Difficult-to-Detect-Violence: An Empirical and Political Discussion

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

The past five years has seen an increased interest in violence and abusive tactics that fall ‘under the radar’ for a variety of reasons. In some instances, the actual behaviors may not meet legal definitions and thus are ignored by the criminal justice system or not assessed routinely. However, criticism of formally policing subtle acts of aggression is also on the rise. It has been suggested by critics that overpolicing and attempts by prosecutors to identify, interpret, and prosecute such "below the radar" violence may unfairly disadvantage socio-politically vulnerable and subordinate populations such as adolescents, ethnic minorities, ex-prisoners and migrants. This panel seeks to introduce a debate on violence and power inequities by providing an empirically nuanced context for "victims" and "victimizers" and the dyads they enter.

Sub Unit

• Area II. Types of Offending and Victimization

Chair

• Chitra Raghavan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Individual Presentations

• First Legal Approach to Criminalize Stalking Behaviors in Spain: Applicability in Deterring Partner Violence - Rosa Vinas-Racionero, University of Nebraska - Lincoln; Chitra Raghavan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Mario Scalora, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Use of Sexual Coercion as a Control Tactic by Abusive Men - Chitra Raghavan, John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Jennifer Loveland, John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Abbie Tuller, North Brooklyn Coalition Against Family Violence

• Black and White and Read All Over: Considerations of Race in the Identification, and Prosecution of Sex Trafficking in the United States - Anthony Marcus, John Jay College of Criminal Justice

• Teen pimp/ Sex Worker Dyads: Coercion, Cooperation and the Political Economy of the Young - Amber Horning, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, The Graduate Center, CUNY; Christopher Thomas, American University