A Critical Discourse Analysis of Violence against Women

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A Critical Discourse Analysis of Violence against Women is written by Giuseppina Scotto di Carlo and published by Palgrave Macmillan. It's available with International Standard Book Number or ISBN identification 3031888650 (ISBN 10) and 9783031888656 (ISBN 13).

This book presents a critical analysis of the language surrounding Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), demonstrating how discourse can both sustain harm and serve as a catalyst for healing and change. Grounded in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), it examines the “DARVO” tactic—Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender (Freyd, 1997)—a manipulative strategy used by perpetrators to evade accountability, silence survivors, and reinforce a culture of victim-blaming. Through detailed case studies, the book uncovers the broader societal structures that enable and normalise these behaviours. To counteract these harmful dynamics, the author introduces the concept of “institutional courage” (Freyd, 1997), providing a framework for institutions to respond more effectively and empathetically to VAWG. Ultimately, the book advocates for a shift in both individual and institutional responses, urging a collective commitment to challenge DARVO and adopt institutional courage in the fight against VAWG. This work will be of particular interest to scholars, practitioners, and students across Linguistics, Women’s and Gender Studies, Sociology, and Institutional Discourse.