Title

Boys, Rape and Masculinity: Reclaiming Boys' Narratives of Sexual Violence in Custody

Authors

Brenda V. Smith, American University Washington College of LawFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

6-2015

Abstract

This article examines a little studied area at the intersections of masculinity, feminist studies, and criminal justice – sexual abuse of boys in custody by female staff. Professor Smith will outline the scope of the problem and discusses competing narratives that attempt to explain the phenomena: (1) female staff as “mother, sister, friend”; (2) adolescent development theory; (3) complex early childhood trauma; and (4) female authority and power. There is a gap in both masculinity and feminist theory in analyzing sexual aggression and power by women over boys. The talk will colclude with policy and practice prescription and recommendations for further theoretical development in the masculinity and feminist theory spaces to account for this phenomena.

Comments

North Carolina Law Review (ISSN 0029-2524)

Volume 93, Issue 5, pg

Recommended Citation

Brenda V. Smith, Boys, Rape, and Masculinity: Reclaiming Boys' Narratives of Sexual Violence in Custody, 93 N.C. L. Rev. 1559 (2015).