Domestic violence victims as homicide offenders : a study on gender ideology in the Japanese criminal justice system | |
| Author | Takamatsu, Kana |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.GD-01-04 |
| Subject(s) | Family violence--Japan emale offenders--Japan |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. GD-01-04 |
| Abstract | Female and male crimes have different characteristics, especially in homicide cases. A large percentage of female homicide cases occur within the household. Homicides committed by women are strongly tied to the relations within the household, therefore the backgrounds of and reasons behind homicide cases are strongly related to the environment within the household. The criminal justice system in Japan is not supposed to intervene in civil affairs, including problems within the household. Therefore the problems which are considered civil affairs are generally invisible to society. Female criminal offenders are treated through biases and assumptions prevalent within the criminal justice system. In addition, the backgrounds and reasons of female homicide cases tend not be considered serious problems. This study attempts to identify the biases and assumptions reflected on intra-household gender roles and relations in homicide cases in Japan where the wife kills the husband, and to examine how female criminal offenders are ideologically treated. This study examines and discusses cases where women commit homicide against their husbands as a result of domestic violence committed against them. Domestic violence against women is a background of the cases in this study. Examining how domestic violence is considered in homicide cases where a wife kills her husband is a crucial component of this study. Case studies (the record of actual court cases) show how female criminal offenders are ideologically treated in the criminal justice system and as well, the consideration of domestic violence in the same sphere. From these case studies, it is clear that female criminal offenders are considered through biases and assumptions within the criminal justice system. Female criminal offenders are considered through an image of women as good mothers and wives. If the character of the offender does not go against this image, she tends to be not punished strictly by the criminal justice system. However, if the offender is against the image of women, she tends to be punished strictly. Their personality as women is taken into account to a greater extent than the facts of the crime are. Domestic violence committed against women within the household is tolerated in Japanese society as well as in the criminal justice system. This is due to the prevailing assumption that women belong to their husbands. During the preparation of this study, the Japanese ~overnrnent established a law on domestic violence that will be put into effect on the 13 of October 2001. This is the first law about domestic violence in Japan's history. This study reflects on possible changes that ยท can happen to the aforementioned assumptions and ideologies with the introduction of the new law. |
| Year | 2001 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. GD-01-04 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Gender and Development Studies (GD) |
| Chairperson(s) | Kusakabe, Kyoko; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Resurreccion, Babette P. ;Zimmermann, Willi ; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Partial Scholarship of AIT ; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2001 |