ISBN 978-1-923523-16-6
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923523-17-3
HARDCOVER
The “NO” Test
and other approaches for addressing domestic violence
The “no” test is simple. A man passes it if he graciously accepts “no” from his partner. If he attempts to persuade her to change her mind, he fails.
This book will be of interest to anybody who is concerned about the problem of domestic violence.
The man who is abusive and the woman who suffers the abuse are often misrepresented. The “No” test provides alternatives to these misrepresentations so that a man can be held accountable for all his actions and a woman’s ever present resistance to oppression is recognised.
The “No” test is also a resource for those in the helping professions with discussions on the ethics of practice, exploring the importance of language and a chapter on the crafting of questions – the all important key to therapeutic conversations.
Finally, the ideas are demonstrated in practice in therapeutic conversations with four composite individuals, two of whom are a married couple. The four represent the diverse individuals the authors have encountered in many years of practice.
The book aims to expose how the problem of domestic violence is perpetuated by its frequent misrepresentations and in so doing provide a better understanding of domestic violence for the benefit of all.
Includes therapeutic conversations with individuals to illustrate the book’s core concepts.
About the Authors
ROB ANDREW has been working in the domestic violence field since 1993 counselling men and women and co-facilitating men’s and women’s groups. His professional fascination lies in encouraging men to examine their attitudes to better guide them towards respect and responsibility, and in
empowering women to unveil their ongoing resistance to oppression, commitment to dignity, and hopes for a better life. When he’s not working, Rob enjoys riding his bike around the scenic shores of the Swan River.
GLENDA DIXON began working in the area of domestic violence in 1994. She has a Ph.D. in counselling specialising in domestic violence. She has worked in NGO agencies, private practice and has lectured in counsellor training programmes. In her spare time Glenda enjoys reading, biking the trails of central Otago, spending time with family and travelling.