The Use of Structural Intersectionality as a Method to Analyze How the Domestic Violence Civil Protective Order Process Replicates Inequality

While protective orders remain a commonly used resource, multiply marginalized survivors are often unable to file for, obtain, serve, and enforce orders. I argue that using structural intersectionality as a method is the best way to reveal how the protective order process replicates broader social inequalities. I advocate for an alternative way of using structural intersectionality. I first identify the mechanisms by which inequalities exist and then describe how these can be traced back to intersecting social identities. In doing so, I highlight the importance of historical context and the blurring of the civil and criminal legal systems.

Automated summary

This article argues that using structural intersectionality is the best way to reveal how the protective order process replicates broader social inequalities, advocating for an alternative approach. It first identifies the mechanisms of inequality and then describes how these can be traced back to intersecting social identities. This highlights the importance of historical context and the blurring of the civil and criminal legal systems.