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James Ptacek, Ph.D.

Professor of Sociology at Suffolk University

Professor Ptacek has been working on the problem of violence against women since 1981. He has been a batterers’ counselor and has conducted training on domestic violence intervention for hospital, mental health, and criminal justice professionals. He has done research on men who batter; on rape and battering on college campuses; and on battered women’s experience with the courts. His 2010 edited book Restorative Justice and Violence Against Women (Oxford University Press) explores new and controversial ways that communities are responding to violence in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States. His current research examines the class dimensions of intimate violence. In his teaching, he brings victim advocates and community antiviolence workers into his classes to show students the kinds of career paths that are available to them.

Dr. Ptacek's recent publications include: