Domestic violence is an intractable social problem that must be understood in order to be eradicated. Using theories of indexicality, identity, and narrative, Andrus presents data from interviews she conducted with victims and law enforcement, and analyses the narratives of their interactions and the identities that emerge. She gives insight into law enforcement views on violence, and prevalent misconceptions, in order to create resources to improve communication with victim/survivors. She also analyzes the ways in which identity emerges and is performed via narrative constructions of domestic violence and encounters between police and victim/survivors. By giving voice to the victims of domestic violence, this book provides powerful insights into the ways that ideology and commonplace misconceptions impact the social construction of domestic violence. It will be invaluable to students and researchers in discourse analysis, applied linguistics and forensic linguistics.

'Ground-breaking and thought-provoking: Jennifer Andrus presents a compelling analysis of the narratives of domestic violence by victims/survivors and police officers, revealing discourses and social meanings that maintain and support this violence.'

Diana Eades - Adjunct Professor, University of New England

'This book is an elegant and clearly written account grounded on the experiences and vivid language used by fifty participants in domestic violence cases. This interview-based research compares side by side the responses and feelings of both the victims/survivors and the police, concluding that there is a need to have more fluency between victims and police interviewers, for the police to believe the survivors, and for the survivors to have more trust in the police. One strength of the book is its many direct quotes about the survivors’ struggles to articulate their physical and mental fears, and the shame and even guilt that is generated from their experiences.'

Roger W. Shuy - Distinguished Professor of Linguistics, Emeritus, Georgetown University

‘This work is adequately referenced and indexed, and suitable for libraries serving departments with graduate programs in counseling, criminal justice, criminology, psychology, social work, or sociology … Recommended.'

R. T. Sigler Source: Choice