Abstract
Advocates and counselors who assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault often claim a moral identity that depends, in part, on their ability to sympathize with their clients. However, when their clients behave in ways that staff members perceive as “difficult” (i.e., lie, return to their abusers, break rules, express anger at those trying to help them, or fail to show up for appointments), feelings of sympathy can begin to wane—creating a moral identity dilemma. Data collected from participant observation and in-depth interviews outline four generic processes that advocates and counselors engage in to overcome this dilemma. These findings highlight the interdependent nature of identity and emotion management and contribute to previous scholarship on how those who claim a moral identity negotiate feelings that run counter to their identity code.
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Notes
I use the label “abuser” rather than “batterer” because this term allows for a more comprehensive depiction of people who control, oppress, and hurt others. I also use the term “victim,” although there is a debate among DV and SA agencies about whether to use “victim” or “survivor.” Staff used “survivor” on occasion, but usually to refer to a former client who had succeeded in achieving their goals. Staff also used “survivor” to move away from the stigma associated with “victim” (Dunn 2005).
All names of organizations, places, and people are pseudonyms.
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Acknowledgements
The author thanks Sherryl Kleinman, Allison Hurst, Michelle Wolkomir, Jennifer Dunn, and the anonymous reviewers for their thoughtful suggestions and comments on previous drafts of this paper.
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This article was accepted by the former editor-in-chief Javier Auyero. The current editor, David Smilde, has approved of its publication.
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Kolb, K.H. Sympathy Work: Identity and Emotion Management Among Victim-Advocates and Counselors. Qual Sociol 34, 101–119 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-010-9177-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-010-9177-6