Violence against Women

'Drawing on the latest research, Westmarland documents the oft-noted gap between the extent of male violences and the current policies, laws and programs she describes. Like the best of feminist criminology, the book is as passionate as it is scholarly. Westmarland puts flesh on the barebones data through heart-rending accounts from victims. Meanwhile, her analyses of current events such as the Jimmy Savile crimes and the massive abuse of adult and child residents at Nottingham and Rotherham makes the book as current as the latest headlines. I know no better introduction to violence against women in modern life.' - Evan Stark, Emeritus Professor of Public Affairs and Public Health, Rutgers University, USA

'Nicole Westmarland's book Violence Against Women is clear, systematic, practical and devoted: it comprises the researcher's intensive experience in the field both as an academic and as an activist. Therefore it is able to offer the most recent, detailed research information, as well as descriptions about the policy-relevant "best practices". The book is very suitable both for students in the field of criminology and those interested in the phenomena more generally. Its systematic character also makes it of value to researchers and PhD students.' - Suvi Ronkainen, Professor in Research Methodology, University of Lapland, Finland

'Violence Against Women documents the extent and dynamics of male violences across a broad spectrum of private, family and public life. In 15 chapters, each devoted to a form of male violence, Professor Westmarland makes a convincing case that the same gender analysis that guides our response to physical, psychological and sexual violence by partners applies equally well to child sexual abuse, violence against parents and the elderly and to the abuse cultivated by celebrity culture, in residential care homes and in educational institutions.

'An invaluable resource for those starting work in the sexual violence sector.' - Lee Eggleston OBE, Chairwoman, Rape Crisis England & Wales, UK

'Working and thinking with Nicole Westmarland is a challenging pleasure. Westmarland is always ready to make a leap outside feminist orthodoxies whilst fiercely maintaining a feminist perspective. This book will help you think about, and possibly re-think, what we know and do not know about violence against women and girls.' - Liz Kelly, Roddick Chair on Violence Against Women, London Metropolitan University, UK

'Violence against Women offers an excellent, informative overview of the types of gendered forms of violence and the environments in which they occur. The cutting-edge content underscores the importance of understanding the many facets of violence and invites each of us to act on it. Westmarland stresses the point that violence - in all its forms - is damaging not only to individuals but also to many components of the affected systems of support and protection. The didactic exposition of the material will be appreciated by its primary audience - university students and scholars. However, the book's clarity and accessibility will also make it a captivating resource for anyone interested in learning about the disconcerting variety of men's violence against woman, or anyone affected by its existence in their life.' - Dr Aisha K. Gill, Associate Professor in Criminology, University of Roehampton, UK