‘Deepening the Dialogue—Strengthening Domestic Violence Policy and Charting a Way Forward’

Abstract

This chapter focuses on a sociological discourse that dissects gender based violence from a constructivist perspective. As a society, we are used to stereotypical and dichotomous language when it comes to violence which almost makes this a simplistic social dialogue without a commensurate appreciation and acknowledgement of the complexities wrapped up in such a phenomenon. From a sociological perspective, it is easy to identify with violence against women but give little attention and consideration to violence against men. When a woman murders a man there is usually some sociological explanation like ‘battered wife syndrome’ or ‘temporary insanity’. However, there is no such support for men in similar situations, although they may have been victims of gender based violence, albeit emotional/psychological, as well. There is a need to dissect the social construction of masculinity from a Caribbean perspective to develop an appreciation and understanding of how gender based violence is constructed and portrayed.