Universal credit, gender and structural abuse
The Journal of Adult Protection
ISSN: 1466-8203
Article publication date: 19 August 2021
Issue publication date: 30 November 2021
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore Joint couple payments under Universal Credit which tend to privilege male partners. This may entrap women in abusive relationships, foster poverty which are indicative of gendered structural abuse.
Design/methodology/approach
Through a critical review of the literature and qualitative interviews with third sector support workers, the authors explore the impacts that Universal Credit has on women, especially those in abusive partnerships.
Findings
Current welfare processes reinforce patriarchal assumptions and are indicative of the structural abuse of women. This has increased during the lockdowns imposed to tackle COVID-19.
Practical implications
Changes are needed in the ways in which welfare benefits are disbursed. Gendered structural abuses should be explicitly considered when working with women who experience domestic violence and abuse.
Originality/value
This paper argues that there needs to be a wider a recognition of gender power relations and the concept of structural abuse in policy formation and implementation.
Keywords
Citation
Parker, J. and Veasey, K. (2021), "Universal credit, gender and structural abuse", The Journal of Adult Protection, Vol. 23 No. 6, pp. 358-369. https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-05-2021-0018
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2021, Emerald Publishing Limited