Between Systems & Violence

Between Systems and Violence offers a compilation and analysis of state-level statutes targeting intimate partner violence (IPV) in immigrant and/or refugee (IMR) lives. The book analyzes such statutes’ legal language via various theoretical lenses, as well as provides a discussion of implications for research, prevention, intervention, and public policy.

Some IMR victim-survivors of IPV, such as those who are undocumented, may be pinned "between systems and violence" as violent partners use the immigration system as a mechanism of power and control. While protections are available for these victim-survivors, the story told about the encompassing legal landscape remains incomplete and relegated to federal law.

Graduate students, as well as scholars and practitioners, will acquire an in-depth understanding of this important nexus.

Julio Montanez, BA, is a graduate student at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and serves as a Project Manager in the UCF Institute for Social and Behavioral Science. His research generally focuses on the intersection of intimate partner violence (IPV) and law/policy.

Amy Donley, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and the Director of the UCF Institute for Social and Behavioral Sciences. She is an applied sociologist whose research primarily focuses on social inequalities, specifically food insecurity, urban poverty, and homelessness. She regularly conducts research in partnership with local governments and not-for-profit agencies.

Amy Reckdenwald, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Central Florida (UCF) and member of the UCF Violence Against Women Faculty Cluster. Her research primarily focuses on violent victimization and offending; particularly as it relates to domestic violence and intimate partner homicide.