The arrival of the #MeToo movement was long overdue, putting sexual
violence in the spotlight and opening up public discussion of the
problem. It also sparked a global anti-feminist backlash. Suing for
Silence is a groundbreaking examination of how abusive men use
defamation lawsuits as a weapon against anyone who attempts to hold
them accountable. As Mandi Gray demonstrates, Canadian defamation law
is being employed to silence survivors and advocates who speak out
about sexual violence, perpetuating the myth that false allegations
are common. Gray draws on media reports, courtroom observations, and
interviews with silence breakers, activists, and lawyers from across
Canada to examine the impact of so-called liar lawsuits on those who
report or are thinking of reporting sexual violence, and on public
discourse. Her meticulous work reveals the gendered underpinnings of
defamation law, which has long protected men’s reputations at the
expense of women’s sexual autonomy. Suing for Silence argues that
such suits ought to be recognized as Strategic Lawsuits against Public
Participation (SLAPPs), whose purpose is not to achieve justice but to
intimidate, silence, and drain the financial and emotional resources
of those who speak out against sexual violence and even report their
own assaults – and to discourage others from doing the same. Sexual
violence discourse must have adequate protection if it is to be heard.
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Sexual Violence and Defamation Law
Produktdetaljer
ISBN
9780774869188
Publisert
2024
Utgiver
University of British Columbia Press
Språk
Product language
Engelsk
Format
Product format
Digital bok
Forfatter