Human Rights at Home: Domestic Violence as a Human Rights Violation

This article discusses the pivotal importance of Jessica Gonzales v United States, heard by the Inter-American Commission in March 2007. At the time this article was written, the case had not yet been decided. The article offers an in-depth discussion of Ms. Gonzales' case, while also providing a comprehensive outline of the current treatment of domestic violence within American law and international human rights law. The case is not only important to Gonzales but also to the rights of women, especially those of colour. In particular, the article discusses how domestic violence is often viewed as a private issue and, thus, has been neglected both in state law and international human rights law. The article discusses the importance of framing domestic violence as a human rights violation, and explains how the case may serve to change the legal, political and social perspectives on violence against women.

Caroline Bettinger-Lopez, Human Rights at Home: Domestic Violence as a Human Rights Violation (2008) 40:1 Colum HRL Rev 19.