It is a characteristic of such mostly male violence – “violence regnant”, as it might be termed, since it represents and is borne by the apparatus of state – that it always presents itself as defending the rights of the innocent. Photograph: Johannes Eisele/AFP via Getty ImagesIf sexual violence always tends to spiral out of control, it is because the agent of that violence must know deep down he is on a losing wicket. His words resonate with potential sexual violence, not just because he clearly holds all women in such brazen contempt. Each one of these is an unabashed incitement to violence – against women, migrants, and against historical memory, which is being wiped off the page. This is an edited extract from On Violence and On Violence Against Women by Jacqueline Rose, published by Faber on 15 April and available at guardianbookshop.co.uk

Source: The Guardian March 30, 2021 04:52 UTC