Domestic violence - exposing unpopular topics

Session Submission Type: Roundtable

Abstract

The fundamental scientific and public discourse on domestic violence has experienced a certain
Copernican revolution in the last few decades ‒ from an almost invisible phenomenon seen merely
as private matter, domestic violence gained its more noticeable content and form in the 20th century, ultimately becoming a phenomenon worthy of both scientific attention and political focus. However, strong focus on domestic violence made the phenomenon a politically oportune topic infused with penal populism which led to the creation of policies based on ideological agendas, rather than scientific findings. It also produced topics which are unpopular to discuss. This roundtable aims to discuss those unpopular domestic violence topics which are avoided within the scientific or general discourse. Topics include questions such as: defining pshychological violence within domestic violence,boundries of domestic violence, gender asimetry in intimate partner violence, strong focus on violence against women, the power of criminal law in dealing with domestic violence, reasoning behind femicide and more. The roundtable will provide an oportunity for the researchers to share their thoughts on the topics which are unjustifiably neglected, yet important in domestic violence discussion. This will also be an opportunity to present the results of Violence Lab project study and key findings on domestic violence in Croatia. Those results will hopefully initiate powerful talks on domestic violence 'hidden areas' rooted in the growing penal populism within societies across the world.

Subtopic

• Topic 2: Types of Offending / Homicide and Violent Crime (Homicide Research WG and European Violence Monitor WG)

Chair

• Petra Šprem, University in Zagreb, Faculty of Law

Discussants

• Ruza Karlovic, University of Applied Science of Criminal Investigation and Public Security

• Lucija Sokanović, University in Split, Faculty of Law

• Reana Bezic, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Law