Defendants of Domestic Violence: A Gender-Based Comparative Analysis Saimithra Mannuru

Department of Criminology, Law, and Justice University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC)

PURPOSE

The purpose of my study is to compare male and female defendants of domestic violence and find similarities and differences in their experiences on the GPS monitoring program. Using this data, I analyzed how each gender benefits and faces difficulties from this program.

Using individual and group interviews of both male and female defendants of domestic violence, I identified overlapping themes and used quotes to support my observations. After compiling themes for both males and females, I created qualitative data by noting similarities and differences between both genders. The defendants were either in pretrial, carrying out their sentence, or finished their sentence and went off the ankle monitoring.

METHOD

Edna Erez, LL.B., Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago

Peter R. Ibarra, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago William D. Bales, Ph.D., Florida State University Oren M. Gur, M.S., University of Illinois at Chicago

Although both male and female defendants felt that being on the GPS monitoring program was a far better option than being in jail, both genders faced a different set of difficulties. The biggest difficulties for male defendants were the stigma associated with being labeled as a “perpetrator of domestic violence” and what they claimed to be a biased system of domestic violence laws. The biggest difficulties for female defendants were to manage work, school, and family while being on the GPS, and in many cases, to transition from victim to survivor. For both genders, being on the program caused a tremendous amount of stress and anxiety.

Key differences: -Males had trouble managing work while on the program, females had troubling managing work, school, and family. -Male defendants had never been victims of violence, several female defendants were victims themselves. -Every male defendant felt they were falsely accused, while only a few female defendants felt the same. -Male defendants complained about public defenders vs. private attorneys, the female defendants did not. -Male defendants found the system of domestic violence laws to be unfairly biased to target men, female defendants did not feel this way. Key similarities: -Both genders felt embarrassed to wear the ankle bracelet and tried to hide it from being seen. -Being on the program caused both genders to lose their jobs in many cases. -Both male and female defendants stated that they would rather be on the program than in jail. -Both genders had problems regarding children, but in different aspects. -Both genders used the ankle monitor as an alibi to prove their innocence against false accusations.

RESULTS

CONCLUSION

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Ankle monitoring device

RELEVANT LITERATURE

Anderson, K., & Umberson, D. (2001). GENDERING VIOLENCE: Masculinity And Power In Men's Accounts Of Domestic Violence. Gender & Society, 15(3), 358-380. Retrieved November 11, 2015.

Busch, A., & Rosenberg, M. (2004). Comparing Women And Men Arrested For Domestic Violence: A Preliminary

Report. Journal of Family Violence, 19(1), 49-57. Retrieved November 11, 2015. Dutton, Mary Ann (1993) "Understanding Women's Responses to Domestic Violence: A Redefinition of Battered

Woman Syndrome," Hofstra Law Review: Vol. 21: Iss. 4, Article 2. Erez, E., Ibarra, P., Bales, W., & Gur, O. (n.d.). GPS Monitoring Technologies and Domestic Violence: An

Evaluation Study. Retrieved November 11, 2015. Steinmetz, S. (1978). The Battered Husband Syndrome. Victimology: An International Journal, 499-509.

A pattern of abusive behavior in any relationship that is used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over

another intimate partner.

What are the similarities and differences between male and female defendants of domestic violence on the GPS monitoring program?

RESEARCH QUESTION

WHAT IS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE?