Beyond the Carceral/Anti-carceral Binary: Considerations for Addressing Gender-based and Sexual Violence

This article explores tensions between carceral and anti-carceral feminisms within the context of gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV). To do so, we have organised the article as follows: center dot introducing context on the significance of GBSV and social work's approaches to addressing this issue; center dot reviewing the origins of carceral feminism in addressing GBSV; center dot providing context on anti-carceral feminism; center dot exploring feminist social work's contributions to carceral approaches to GBSV; center dot critiquing carceral feminist approaches to GBSV intervention and prevention; center dot discussing anti-carceral feminism within social work; center dot moving beyond the binary between carceral and anti-carceral feminist leanings; and center dot concluding reflections. By drawing on our experiences as feminist social workers in anti-violence work, we aim to contribute to burgeoning literature on these tensions, ideas, and possibilities. This article aims to contribute to the burgeoning scholarship on carceral and anti-carceral feminist approaches to addressing gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV). Specifically, this article attempts to draw out the contributions and tensions of carceral and anti-carceral approaches towards the elimination of GBSV within the context of feminist social work practices and policies. Engaging in a reflexive process that draws on our collective experience of social work education, practice, activism, and research, we argue that, rather than reinforcing the carceral/anti-carceral binary, a critical consideration of current tensions and debates in this area may provide a more productive way forward in addressing gender-based and sexual violence more broadly.