Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption

Authors

Brenda V. Smith, American University Washington College of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2003

Journal

American University Journal of Gender, Social Policy & the Law

Volume

11

Abstract

This Article focuses on a topic that, though frequently discussed, has been dismissed in the domestic violence discourse - forgiveness. The author draws upon personal narrative to frame the challenge of forgiveness. The article explores forgiveness - for domestic violence survivors, for batterers, and for communities - through a personal lens and drawing upon mediation, restorative justice and indigenous peace and reconciliation models. The article concludes that exploration and embrace of models that address forgiveness and reconciliation are overdue and would contribute greatly to practice and discourse on domestic violence.

Recommended Citation

Brenda V. Smith, Battering, Forgiveness and Redemption, 11 (2003).
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wcl.american.edu/facsch_lawrev/883