What is Patriarchal Violence? A working definition from the Abolishing Patriarchal Violence Innovation Lab
Context In Fall 2019, Black Feminist Future in partnership with Collective Action for Safe Spaces, Freedom Inc., and Stand With Black Women convened the Abolishing Patriarchal Violence Innovation Lab with 20 Black Feminists from different sectors, genders, regions, ages, and beyond. One of the goals of the Innovation Lab was to create a narrative intervention around how we talk about the epidemic of violence- violence against Black women, girls, femmes, trans people, gender non conforming, and non binary people that actually names one of the primary roots of the issue- patriarchy.
What Is Patriarchal Violence?
Black Feminist Future would like to thank the Abolishing Patriarchal Violence Innovation Lab participants- visionaries who are daring to vision a reality where patriarchal violence is no longer certain, where interventions center survivors, and solutions are transformative. We are thankful for their brilliance in drafting this working definition. We also acknowledge that this work and visioning is not new. BFF's understanding of patriarchal violence is rooted in our learning from transnational Black feminists and draws on the theory of Dr. Beth Ritchie's "Matrix of Domination" which serves as a foundational text for this project.
What Is Patriarchal Violence?
Patriarchal Violence Defined Patriarchal Violence (PV) is an interconnected system of institutions, practices, policies, beliefs , and behaviors that harm, undervalues, and terrorize girls,women, femme, intersex, gender non conforming, LGBTQ, and other gender-oppressed people in our communities. PV is a widespread, normalized epidemic based on the domination, control, and colonizing of bodies, genders, and sexualities, happening in every community globally. PV is a global power structure and manifests on the systemic, institutional, interpersonal, and internalized level. It is rooted in interlocking systems of oppression.
What Is Patriarchal Violence?
Patriarchal Violence As A Framework Patriarchal Violence (PV)Â as a framework allows us to better understand the dynamic, interconnected system of institutions, practices, policies, culture, beliefs, and behaviors that supports and causes violence against women and girls (cis and trans), and other gender oppressed people and protects, normalizes, and condones the dangerous behavior of those who do harm most often men and boys. PV disproportionately harms Black girls, women, intersex, gender non conforming, and other gender oppressed people. Patriarchal violence upholds, reproduces, and enacts patriarchy and other systems of oppression.
What Is Patriarchal Violence?
How does Patriarchal Violence Show Up? Patriarchal Violence is: 1). Internalized by everyone; 2). Consciously or unconsciously supported by everyone and; 3) Can be enacted by anyone who has power over another. PV is not only enacted by cis men and boys. PV takes many forms through our life span such as: Attacks based on our sex, genders, and/or bodies Violence based on our gender identity and sexuality Weaponizes and orders our relationships with others(Parent/Child, Interpersonal, Familial, etc.)
What Is Patriarchal Violence?
Examples of Patriarchal Violence Normalization of rape culture, child sexual abuse, and incest Policies and laws that restrict abortion access and birth control The practice of intersex surgery The harassment, abuse, and murder of Black women by police The average lifespan of Black trans women being 35 years old The sexual abuse of faith leaders The leading cause of death for cis and trans Black women being murder by partners Homophobic and Transphobic violence
What Is Patriarchal Violence?
Moving Forward, Together The examples above are just the tip of the iceberg of how patriarchal violence manifest in our lives, families, communities, and societies. This is a working definition and by no means complete. This is an invitation for others to help more accurately define patriarchal violence and to commit to the work of abolishing it. If you would like to be connected to the ongoing work of the Abolishing Patriarchal Violence team, email info@blackfeministfuture.org
What Is Patriarchal Violence?