Profile of a “Victim”

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors begin their ethnographic journey. Their experiences are outlined in the third person, partly as story, and partly as thematic illustration of the tactics of abuse within the context of romantic love described in Chapter 2. First they explore the making of a victim, then move on to discuss how the abusive relationship is maintained, addressing the “big question” of “why does she stay?”. The illustration of tactics is interspersed with psychological and sociological analyses, which illuminate the juxtaposition of terrorism and domestic violence. They conclude with some poignant observations about the social construction of domestic violence in the public sphere.