Brilliant paper. Really interesting to hear about what’s going on in India regarding criminal sentencing of women who kill their abusers. Your new theoretical approach is fantastic because, as you say, it’s dangerous to rely on the idea that women have to be somehow insane to kill their abusers (even temporarily insane). I agree also with your concluding comments re the importance of those making verdicts needing to think about ‘how would I respond in that situation’ and the importance of having DV experts involved in these decisions. What about the gender balance of the judiciary? More women on juries and more women judges would also help in this situation. What’s the gender balance like in courts in India?
Brilliant paper. Really interesting to hear about what’s going on in India regarding criminal sentencing of women who kill their abusers. Your new theoretical approach is fantastic because, as you say, it’s dangerous to rely on the idea that women have to be somehow insane to kill their abusers (even temporarily insane). I agree also with your concluding comments re the importance of those making verdicts needing to think about ‘how would I respond in that situation’ and the importance of having DV experts involved in these decisions. What about the gender balance of the judiciary? More women on juries and more women judges would also help in this situation. What’s the gender balance like in courts in India?