Intersections and multiple 'candidacies': exploring connections between two theoretical perspectives on domestic abuse and their implications for practicing policy

Mackenzie, M. , Conway, E., Hastings, A. , Munro, M. and O'Donnell, C. A. (2015) Intersections and multiple 'candidacies': exploring connections between two theoretical perspectives on domestic abuse and their implications for practicing policy. Social Policy and Society, 14(1), pp. 43-62. (doi: 10.1017/S1474746414000244)

Abstract

Domestic abuse policy increasingly uses language which indicates that abuse is patterned according to structural factors. However, practicing according to these structural accounts of abuse is problematic because of the policy and organisational contexts that practitioners work within and, we argue, because the implications of the structured nature of victims’ experiences is not fully understood by all practitioners.<p></p> We ask whether women's differential use and experiences of services with a remit to address abuse can be illuminated using two theoretical perspectives – ‘candidacy’ and intersectionality. We report the findings of a literature synthesis that investigates how these improve our understanding of women's help-seeking and service utilisation and of the responses that they receive. Both concepts were highly congruent with the literature and we conclude that, together, candidacy and intersectionality offer a means of enhancing knowledge of how the political becomes enacted in the personal. Embedding such knowledge within practice repertoires offers the potential to develop more nuanced structural understandings of women's experiences and constraints.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Hastings, Professor Annette and O'Donnell, Professor Kate and Conway, Dr Elaine and Mackenzie, Professor Mhairi and Munro, Professor Moira
• Authors: Mackenzie, M., Conway, E., Hastings, A., Munro, M., and O'Donnell, C. A.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Social Scientists working in Health and Wellbeing; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care; College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: Social Policy and Society
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press
• ISSN: 1474-7464
• ISSN (Online): 1475-3073