The Psychology of Female Violence: Crimes Against the Body

by Anna Motz, Estela Welldon (Foreword)

First Published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.

Genres: Psychology, Research

314 pages, Hardcover

First published November 16, 2000

Reviews

[Lucy Gardiner]

A fascinating look at the female psyche as it relates to interpersonal violence. Anna Motz touches on violence against children (sexual abuse, munchhausen’s syndrome by proxy, maternal physical abuse, and infanticide) as well as violence against the self (self harm, anorexia) and female violence against others (mainly focused on victims of domestic violence that go on to kill her abuser.)

Some illuminating and reoccurring themes involves types of female perversion, particularly played out during motherhood that acts as a form of displacement for her own internal feelings and experiences with her own mother. Sometimes this “demonstrates the psychic process of a highly disturbed pregnancy, in which a young g mother displayed physical rather than sexual violence towards her own pregnant body, and later towards her infant.” (Page 16)

Motz argues that female violence and perversion is generally ignored or overlooked or under reported due to the “notion that some mothers, or women of child-bearing age, abuse children sexually is an unacceptable one which powerfully challenges idealized constructions of motherhood and femininity.” (Page 30)

In many cases, female perpetrators have their own history of abuse, neglect, deprivation that eventually lead them to commit violent acts against others. “This abuse can be understood by reference to the development of perverse defences against pain, which arise when attachment has been disrupted.” (Page 29)

This book was a difficult read at times, and made me feel sad, angry, sick to my stomach, and empathetic. It is difficult to combine the concept of victim and perpetrator and make moral judgments and after reading this, it seems it isn’t that simple.

I would encourage everyone to read this. Mainly, parents (especially of daughters), teachers, and medical professionals that work closely with women and children. In many cases of abuse perpetrated by women, there is far more shame and confusion associated that discourages reporting and can easily go overlooked.

To teachers, parents, medical professionals,
I encourage you to speak to children in a nonjudgmental and open-minded environment about things that should and should not happen to minors.

Understanding body autonomy, even (and especially) for young children is vital to prevent abuse. Explain to kids that the sexual organs are important and natural, but should be mostly left alone until they reach maturity. Explain that NO ONE should touch them or ask them to touch their private parts other than a parent or doctor in scenarios where medical-related touch is necessary, but MUST come with a clear understanding and conversation about what needs to happen and ensure the child understands and has control of the situation.

Explain to kids that an adult should NEVER tell them to keep something secret, and if something to that extent happens, to go straight to a trusted grown up (parent, teacher, principal, doctor, neighbour etc.)

Female violence is still largely misunderstood and requires far more research, but this book provides insight and guidance for anyone and everyone looking for a psychodynamic or psychiatric explanation/understanding of the
Who
What
When
Where
And Why
Of female violence, sexual exploitation, and the cyclical nature of intergenerational violence.

5/5

[Allizandra Herberhold]

This was really good for research purposes about women who carry out violence

[Kelvin]

The Psychology of Female Violence by Anna Motz a Chartered Consultant Clinical and Forensic Psychologist is essential reading particularly for Counselling, Forensic, Clinical and Sociology Students with an interest in trauma and the impact to the mind and body. This pioneering second edition published by Routledge challenges the notion that men historically and exclusively are violent to women. However, this is not necessarily the case. Motz strengthens her compelling points with case studies using an integrative and detailed method to challenge and destructure misconceptions from individualistic perspectives, opinions, and beliefs about Women who cause extreme harm to people. Posing the questions: Why do a set percent of Women commit repeatedly violent harms including systematic harms to the self, fabricating and inducing illness in others, infanticide and Women that psychologically and physically abuse children, and their partners? What distinguishes this from crimes in the Masculine sphere and what are the causes, effects, and consequences of severe offences in modern life in terms of women going through the criminal justice system and as long-term patients in Forensic settings? https://www.routledge.com/The-Psychol....

[darla]

great insight