Abstract
Intimate partner abusers often focus on physical violence, but abuse may also include exploiting a partner’s faith or subculture.
Alternatively, faith or subculture may be a source of strength and support for victims. We explored this by analyzing case
files from a Jewish domestic violence services agency. Jewish identity conditions women’s experiences with intimate partner
abuse through the use of Judaism as a “tool” for abuse, the role of Jewish holidays and observances, and the role of the Jewish
community. While partners of abused Jewish women often perverted the laws and traditions of Judaism to control their partners
and the reaction of the larger community varied, being part of an integrated cultural and religious community offered support
for some women.
Alternatively, faith or subculture may be a source of strength and support for victims. We explored this by analyzing case
files from a Jewish domestic violence services agency. Jewish identity conditions women’s experiences with intimate partner
abuse through the use of Judaism as a “tool” for abuse, the role of Jewish holidays and observances, and the role of the Jewish
community. While partners of abused Jewish women often perverted the laws and traditions of Judaism to control their partners
and the reaction of the larger community varied, being part of an integrated cultural and religious community offered support
for some women.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10896-012-9435-3
- Authors
- Alison C. Cares, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, Worcester, MA 01609, USA
- Gretchen R. Cusick, Chapin Hall at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Journal Journal of Family Violence
- Online ISSN 1573-2851
- Print ISSN 0885-7482