Bitchy History: The History of Domestic Violence in America

Welcome back, listeners! This week, we’re tackling a tough but crucial topic: the history of domestic violence in America. This episode explores how domestic violence has been ignored, normalized, and fought against throughout history.

We start in colonial America, where men had the legal right to “chastise” their wives—aka, beat them—as long as they followed the “rule of thumb.” Women had no legal standing to fight back because they were considered their husband’s property. Fast forward to the 19th century, when the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) linked domestic abuse to alcohol and started pushing for change. They weren’t perfect, but they got people talking.

In the 1970s, feminists declared that domestic violence wasn’t just a private issue—it was about power and systemic inequality. Grassroots activists created the first shelters, support systems, and laws like the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). But even with progress, many survivors still fall through the cracks of an underfunded, inconsistent system.

This episode covers the fight for justice, the wins we’ve had, and the work we still need to do. It’s a call to action: let’s learn from history, push for change, and support survivors.

Because history proves that when women come together, they get sh*t done. Don’t miss it!

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