Marital violence and Spanish Romani women: debating categories and experiences

Taking as starting point autobiographical narratives of Gitana (Spanish Romani) women who have suffered marital violence, the chapter describes how their experiences are debated in unequal encounters between women and others within their families and communities, and also between women and non-Gitano state representatives. The chapter analyses forms of violence that take place within the family, and also violences that women suffer in their encounters with non-Gitano support providers. Across these arenas the meaning of husband-on-wife violence emerges as disputed and unstable, and this instability is lived as deeply harmful by the women. The encounter with the state is experienced by them as an existential threat. The author reflects on her role and responsibilities as a non-Gitana academic working on a subject that is considered sensitive by her participants.