Gender- and power sensitivity, securitisation and social peace: rethinking protection for children exposed to post-separation violence

This article offers a rethinking of protection based on synthesised data from Finland and Sweden on children’s and mothers’ experiences of post-separation stalking, and social workers’ case reports on children risking exposure to gender-based violence after separation. Drawing on critical childhood studies and a feminist approach to violence and security, we ask how children’s everyday lives can be incorporated in a rethinking of protection for children in post-separation contexts. Departing from identified limitations in protective solutions for children, we propose three ways of rethinking the issue of protection: (1) protection as gender- and power sensitivity, (2) protection as securitising the here and now, and (3) protection as social peace. Our findings call for some changes in professional practices, social policy and legislation.Key messagesProtective solutions to the problem of gender-based violence in post separation are limited, if existing at all, for exposed children.Orientation towards adults and therapy desecuritise childhoods and children’s social peace.