Daughters of Durga

Dowries, Gender Violence and Family in Australia

Manjula Datta O'Connor
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Daughters of Durga

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Melbourne University Press

Daughters of Durga

Dowries, Gender Violence and Family in Australia

Manjula Datta O'Connor
An incisive investigation of domestic violence in South Asian communities, and the resilience of women in the face of adversity
In the early 2010s a spate of domestic violence-related murders in the Victorian Indian community compelled psychiatrist Manjula Datta O'Connor to investigate the causes of patriarchal abuse in South Asian families. As a practitioner with many decades experience in the field, Datta O'Connor questioned whether a better understanding of history and culture could help these communities implement measures to prevent family violence. But the most powerful lessons came from those she met through her practice - survivors of transnational abuse and of sexual and dowry exploitation. These women taught Datta O'Connor about human resilience and strength and the myriad ways women find the inner power to survive. These are the daughters of the goddess Durga, wielding the tools of history to produce meaningful change.
In the early 2010s a spate of domestic violence-related murders in the Victorian Indian community compelled psychiatrist Manjula Datta O'Connor to investigate the causes of patriarchal abuse in South Asian families. As a practitioner with many decades experience in the field, Datta O'Connor questioned whether a better understanding of history and culture could help these communities implement measures to prevent family violence. But the most powerful lessons came from those she met through her practice - survivors of transnational abuse and of sexual and dowry exploitation. These women taught Datta O'Connor about human resilience and strength and the myriad ways women find the inner power to survive. These are the daughters of the goddess Durga, wielding the tools of history to produce meaningful change.

Daughters of Durga: Professor Manjula Datta O'Connor In Conversation with Jess Hill

A searing, often shocking study of family violence.”
The Age

Makes a significant contribution to our understanding of domestic and family violence in multicultural Australia.”
The Conversation

Inspiring and deeply humane, this book is a revelation about patriarchy, love, abuse and power, and into how an ancient culture has within it the key to its future. O’Connor is a thrilling thinker – I could not put this book down.”
Jess Hill, author of 'See What You Made Me Do'.

Impassioned and empathetic ... essential reading for anyone interested in gender politics, patriarchy and female emancipation.”
Books + Publishing

A beautifully and empathetically written book. Manjula Datta O’Connor skilfully weaves her detailed historical and contemporary research of Indian culture, dowry and abuse into a rich tapestry incorporating moving experiences from her own life and her extraordinary work with patients ... Put simply, this is a must read book.”
Professor Jan Breckenridge

Manjula Datta O'Connor

Manjula Datta O'Connor

Manjula Datta O'Connor is a clinical psychiatrist and Chair of the Royal Australian New Zealand College of Psychiatrists Family Violence Psychiatry Network. She is a clinician, researcher and advocate and works closely with community in the prevention of family violence.

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Paperback
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