The Feminist and the Sex Offender: Confronting Sexual Harm, Ending State Violence – Review by Melanie Rosato

The Feminist and the Sex Offender: Confronting Sexual Harm, Ending State Violence by Erica Meiners, Judith Levine. Review by Melanie Rosato

I wanted to read this book because of its promise to educate and inform about abolition feminism in the context of sexual offenders, and it did not disappoint. The thoughtfully arranged topics laid a foundation, presented real life scenarios, pulled quotes from knowledgeable activists, and ultimately built to what ideal action items would be in generating change in the violent cultural and carceral systems that have a seemingly impenetrable hold on society. Even with multiple contributors, the tone and voice throughout the book is consistent, and presents arguments and data in a way that made me (as someone who thought I knew exactly what my stance was on these topics) re-evaluate and consider the grey areas of rehabilitation, punishment, and retaliation. Quite a heavy read but well worth the time if you are at all interested in an unexpected and challenging take on abolitionist theory, incarceration, and the nuances of feminism.