Contagion and control: the role of epidemic discourse in shaping domestic violence as a nascent policy issue

Domestic violence is widely recognised as a global issue and a fundamental human rights violation. Internationally, it is often addressed through human rights frameworks that emphasise victim-centered interventions. In the United States, a distinct policy trajectory focused on criminalisation has developed. Drawing from untapped sources, including 1977–1978 congressional debates, this study reveals the emergence of an “epidemic discourse” on domestic violence. This discourse, guided by the epidemic metaphor, depicted domestic violence as a contagious social problem transmitted by children mimicking spousal violence. The metaphor gained traction in Congressional debates by aligning with statistics, magnifying the issue's scale. However, it inadvertently shifted attention from victim support to preventive and punitive strategies aimed at isolating perpetrators while maintaining, through the notion of risk factors, individual responsibility for a woman having become a victim. Notably, the U.S. has since exported many of its punitive policies globally, influencing other nations’ approaches to domestic violence. The findings underscore the subtle yet significant role metaphors can play in policymaking and in shaping public perceptions of emerging social problems. This analysis, with its focus on unsuccessful legislative bills and debates, enhances our understanding of discursive processes that shape social problem construction, leading to unforeseen dynamics within policymaking.