Crimes of Outrage: Sex, Violence, and Victorian Working Women (Cornell Studies in Political Economy

by Shani D'Cruze

This provocative study explores the subordination of Victorian working women in the home, neighborhood, and workplace. Drawing on courtroom proceedings, D'Cruze reveals that women's interest in speaking out against violent crimes often coincide with the court's agenda to discipline the unruly behavior of working men. However, while women used local courts of vindicate their reputation before their neighbors, doing so often compromised their respectability in the eyes of the public.

271 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

Reviews

[Michael Bennett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating scholarly analysis of the extent and configuration of sexual assault & other forms of violence experienced by working class women in the late 19th century.

Theoretical approaches are taken but much of the work is based upon detailed analysis of almost 200 case studies which allow the voices of working women (and the people in their communities) to be heard in an authentic and revealing way.