Dismantling dominant sexual violence research without using the master's tools

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In this brief commentary we argue that currently dominant 'mainstream' sexual violence research reproduces heterosexism and cisgenderism and 'others' community members of diverse sexual and gendered identities by positioning them as exotic. We suggest that the hegemonic research apparatus, manifested through discourses, definitions, practices, methodologies, methods, technical procedures, educational practices and debate in this area, is problematically flawed. We argue that, through interconnected processes of, firstly, 'psychologisation' (the construction of the psychological subject); secondly, pathologising explanations; and thirdly, disconnection of power-knowledge from violence, the theoretical resources for working progressively within communities to address sexual violence are severely compromised.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)168-175
Number of pages8
JournalGay and Lesbian Issues and Psychology Review
Volume7
Issue number2
Publication statusPublished - 1 Aug 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Heterosexism
  • Cisgenderism
  • Feminism
  • Sexual violence
  • Psychologisation

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