Survivor Injustice: State-Sanctioned Abuse, Domestic Violence, and the Fight for Bodily Autonomy

by Kylie Cheung

Journalist and Jezebel staff writer Kylie Cheung exposes the insidious--and often unseen--connections among domestic abuse, state-based violence, political disenfranchisement, and the carceral state.
For readers of The Revolution Starts at Home , Feminism for the 99% , and Good and Mad.

Incisive, urgent, and written exactly for our post-Roe times, Survivor Injustice is the feminist frame-changing read we need now--for each of us, and for all that’s at stake.
With an abolitionist lens, journalist and Jezebel staff writer Kylie Cheung shows how domestic abuse and state violence are systemic and interconnected. She shatters the harmful and convenient narrative that abuse is a “private matter” perpetrated by individual bad actors--and situates popular understandings of domestic abuse in an indictment of the racism, misogyny, and carcerality baked into U.S. culture and politics. Cheung
Cheung plainly names all that goes unsaid when we, as a culture, talk about How state and society criminalize women, girls, and gender-oppressed people of color. That what happens behind closed doors affects whose voices we hear at the ballot box. What it means when we put predators--from every party--up for vote. That sex workers are more likely to be victimized by law enforcement than “saved” by them. That this is all by design. And that ultimately--with organizing, abolition, and beyond-the-ballot action--we can change it all for good.

Genres: Nonfiction, Feminism, Politics, History, Sociology, Abuse, Activism

297 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[Stitching Ghost · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very well researched piece on how survivors of sexual and domestic violence are systematically denied justice, disempowered, and often further victimized whether they seek justice or merely expression. While it focuses on the US it still offers valuable (in my opinion) thinking material for those of us who are outside of the US.

Free of needless jargon and rich in examples it is perfect read for intro level readers, but it is also a very heavy read that would advise to approach with some caution if you aren't in the best headspace.

The transitions between battles/topics are also seamless which further highlights that none of them are happening in a vacuum or independently from one another, in other words I enjoyed the structure of this book a lot.

I received a review copy of this book from North Atlantic Books through Netgalley and this is my honest review.

[K]

I have complicated feelings about this book. I ended up agreeing with a lot of it, but also disagreeing with some, and also finding some lines that just seemingly contradicted themselves. For the parts I did agree with, I found that they were often grand statements that weren’t really backed up with more explanation (so inaccessible for those who are new to this type of feminism), and also very Of the Time (so very apparent they were written in 2020). I also didn’t understand the organization and found that the book was trying to do a lot. A really clear argument would have been helpful for me, or a book of individual essays. Also like others have said there was a lot of repetition, which is why I couldn’t tell which one the book was trying to be. But, this is a good source for those writing about sexual violence and I think that the author is a good writer. I would read books by them on other topics due to how engaging their tone is. Also, as a former member of survived and punished the way the org is written about in this book is just interesting to observe.

[LaShanda Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Survivor Injustice: State-Sanctioned Abuse, Domestic Violence, and the Fight for Bodily Autonomy is a bold and unflinching exploration of how various systems—from prisons to abortion bans to voter suppression—consistently fail survivors. Cheung expertly reveals how abuse is intertwined with racism, misogyny, queerphobia, and a fundamentally broken justice system, challenging outdated perceptions and societal complacency. Despite the heavy subject matter, Cheung's thorough research and thoughtful writing make the book both engaging and eye-opening. It’s the kind of book that provokes thought, questions, and long discussions over coffee. For anyone ready to confront these complex issues, this is a must-read.

A huge shoutout to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to read this advance copy.

[Colin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read ARC got from NetGalley

An amazing book that was perfect for me to expand and further think through my thoughts on issues and beliefs I have and also now have after reading it. Some stuff I knew a little bit about but this book connected a lot of stuff and is really frustrating to see laid all out. Book had the good balance of being upsetting but also inspiring because it included so much on what we can do and should do on our own, especially because those in power who are suppose to be on our side will not go all the way and do what is needed.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really important topic, and there is a lot of good information.

From an organization point of view, there is a lot of repetition, and not in a cohesive way. If the book was adapted from magazine articles that would make sense, but the magazine articles separately might be more powerful.

I was a bit put off by some of the allegations that were repeated where they seemed unfounded. I could be wrong about them being unfounded, but if they are going to be brought up there should be some substance. In addition, a prison abolitionist who has not protected survivors is quoted without any caveats, which really bothered me.

I am afraid the people who need to understand most will not be receptive, but that is not the fault of the author.

[Cam Scali · Rating 5 out of 5]

6⭐️ Will spend the rest of my life working to destroy the patriarchy.

[Milo · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. ‘Survivor Injustice’ by Kylie Cheung is an eye-opening exploration of the deep-rooted connections between domestic abuse/violence and state violence. Cheung’s abolitionist perspective effectively dismantles the harmful notion that abuse is a private matter, exposing how it’s intertwined w racism, misogyny, queerphobia, and the carceral system. The book is impressively well-researched and eloquently written, offering crucial insights into the systematic denial of justice to survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Even fr readers outside of the US, it provides valuable food fr thought, and the abundance of real-life examples make it accessible, even fr those new to the topic. In light of those real-life examples, I should note that the book delves into p heavy subject matters, so approach w caution if yr not in the right headspace to confront issues related to sexual violence, assault, and rape.

One thing I appreciated though was the structure of the book, in that it seamlessly weaved every topic together, showing their interconnectedness and highlighting the fact that none of the issues covered in this book are happening in a vacuum or independently frm one another. However, I will say the book did also have moments of repetition, especially concerning issues around voting and domestic abuse and state violence towards the start of the book, but regardless it didn’t significantly diminish the overall value of this work. Likewise, I also found admirable Cheung’s use of language surrounding pregnancy and birth, using terms like “pregnant people” and “pregnant-capable people” instead of solely relying on “pregnant women,” etc, and associating the having of a womb, pregnancy, and childbirth w (cis) women and womanhood, demonstrating Cheung’s commendable dedication to inclusivity. This approach not only acknowledges the diverse experiences of people who may become pregnant but also contributes to making the book more accessible and relevant to a broader audience. Overall, it’s a refreshing and important change of pace that aligns w the evolving understanding of gender and reproductive health and rights.

[Ella Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m in awe of Kylie Cheung and her new book Survivor Injustice: State-Sanctioned Abuse, Domestic Violence, and the Fight For Bodily Autonomy. It’s a tour de force investigation into the connections between the carceral state, intimate partner violence, abortion bans, voting, and US culture. It’s hard to summarize how expansive and intersectional this book is — I underlined every page because it immediately became clear this book will be a reference for me in my writing for years to come.

[Madeleine M · Rating 1 out of 5]

An unnecessary book. Cheung repeats concepts so basic and widely established online that it seems intended as an introductory text, but she also uses social justice jargon in sentences like: "The inherent fragility, even coercive transactionality, of the relationship between the police state and those subjected to gendered violence...". She makes prescriptive statements without backing them up, casually declaring, for example, that the "only reasonable solution" to the unrepresentative conservatism of various branches of government is to "abolish the U.S. Senate, the electoral college, perhaps even the Supreme Court" without providing any competing solutions or any suggestion for a replacement system of government. She does not provide alternatives to carceral justice beyond vague statements about "community-based supports" and "accountability and consequences". At one point, Cheung just runs through a list of film and TV depictions of sexual violence without even trying to analyze them. This book adds absolutely nothing to the debate around domestic violence and the criminal justice system.
If you want to read an actually good book about domestic violence, try No Visible Bruises by Rachel Louise Snyder.

[Fraser Sherman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Impressive analysis even if I disagree on several points. Cheung's thesis is that the legal system and the prison-industrial complex make things worse for survivors of abuse and rape: cops and prosecutors refuse to believe them, some cops are rapists and abusers themselves and locking rapists up isn't what most victims need. She's solidly on the side of defunding the police and tearing down the prisons.
Some of her alternative are excellent. Make rape trials civil procedures which have a lower standard of proof and allow the victim to get cash damage. Let the victims of abuse or rape tell us what they need to recover (though it shows her Cheung's own bias that she says if victims want their attacker imprisoned, they shouldn't get their wish). She also argues that more organizations should handle cases in-house rather than going to the government — but given the history of organizations covering up, I can't see how the hell that would work.
Despite my disagreements, well worth the reading.

[Kasia Hubbard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Survivor Injustice is not what I thought it was going to be. While there is plenty of research that shows actual injustice towards true victims and how some individuals were held criminally for the crimes committed against them, there really wasn't much on how to correct the injustice being done, other than tearing down "the white supremacist system". I wanted to not finish this on so many levels, but kept on reading as this subject is worth exploring and identifying where we are getting it so wrong, even if we disagree at points, so we can learn from our mistakes and correct them, not sit and point fingers and call names. The book could have been shorter, as I agree with others that there was a lot of repetition, and while I walked away with some new information (real life examples used in the book), it didn't really change my understanding of the information at large. Personally, No Visible Bruises was much better at explaining and understanding the root cause with actions moving forward.
*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. This review is my own opinion*

[Stevie Dunton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't understand how somebody can, in one breath, talk about the correlation between state-sanctioned violence, domestic violence, and late stage capitalism, and in the very next imply that the only reason "sex work" is so dangerous is because illegal (ie, it's dangerous because it's not a state-sanctioned way of performing capitalism). The author seemed to want to make particular claims, but without offending certain kinds of reader, and it led to an extremely chaotic and disjointed book.

But, it had a lot of great statistics from which a reader could draw their own conclusions, so that's good.

[Brianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is definitely a book written for progressive people, and as a progressive person, I enjoyed it. I didn't learn a bunch of new concepts, but I do think it's important that they are all connected in one place (i.e. this book). I think I would have been more interested in hearing her debunk common rebuttals to her progressive arguments, but again, she's already assuming her readers are mostly on the same page as her. I did find some of the chapter organization to feel a little disjointed, but overall, it was decent.

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As someone very much into fighting the patriarchy and advancing restorative justice, I really wanted to love this book. However, I had a tough time finishing it. It makes a lot of conclusory arguments without breaking things down for the reader. I know the police is weaponized against the people, but I want the author to break it down for the reader in a digestible way so we can learn more about the root of an issue and possible ways to address it. I love what the book stands for, but it didn't live up to its potential

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read a few books in my time on this topic, however I do find Cheung's to be the more accessible by far in it's language (it's not overly academically jargoned making it an ideal read for the average reader and almost definitely a primer to those who want a critical introduction on the topic of VAWG, and how this can ultimately affect any woman (and unlike stereotypes often the perp is not some stranger!)

[Colleen Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brimming with details about how our government has failed women time and again, from not codifying Roe to imprisoning women for defending themselves against their abusers and many more examples. If you think women are no longer oppressed, you’ve got a lot to learn.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good and insightful but I also found it very repetitive and a lot of bold statements being made without support. Even though I’m very interested in the topic, it dragged on for me because entire chapters felt like repetitions of what I’d already read.

[Jennifer · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not finish this. While I understand that this is a problem, and the subject of this book is valid, Ms. Cheung's quoted sources and understanding of certain recent events are questionable. Sad to say, please read this as opinion more than fact.

[Pandaduh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review TBA.

[Toni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought provoking and necessary but difficult to wade through.

[Emily McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could have underlined every sentence in this book. Though it is quite dense and reads like a dissertation, I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to educate themselves further on the intersection of politics and gender based violence. I can’t give enough praise to the author for their dedication and research to this topic.