Book Review: Sister In Law, by Harriet Wistrich

Harriet Wistrich is a formidable woman, and I have long been an admirer of hers.

Her book is an almost natural follow on to Helena Kennedy’s Eve Was Shamed. If Kennedy’s strength was highlighting the more structural issues of women obtaining justice from the inside, Wistrich discusses cases in which grooming and coercion have played a huge role - and the reality of the fight for justice, and how this can be stacked against women. 

(There is a cross over, of course – two very different styles for addressing the same issues.)

Sister in Law delves into the ‘Spycops’ case, where undercover policing was shamefully damaging to the lives of principled people who believed they were doing the right things to create change. These women were deceived into forming long-term relationships with undercover police officers, even having children with them. (It was the case that rendered ‘rape by deception’, the crime that might have offered redress to people who have been sexually groomed, useless.)

It examines the difficult case of Sally Challen, who murdered her husband after years of domestic abuse. The case elevated the issue of coercive control into public consciousness. (Challen’s son has also written an excellent book, which we’ll be reviewing here.)

And Emma Humphries’ case is heartbreaking. Wistrich and her partner Julie Bindel went above and beyond for Emma, whose story is painful, sad, and shows how clearly abusive prostitution is, and how hard it is to escape.

Wistrich lifts the lid on how hard it is to fight for justice, and the awful bureaucracy that is our legal system.

Whilst Wistrich’s work is through the Centre for Women’s Justice, highlighting the injustices that women face in the legal system (‘mad, sad and bad’ still applies) the book is compelling for anyone who is thinking about fighting for justice.

As the old quote says: “The wheels of Justice turn slowly”.

The second part of the quote, “…but grind exceedingly fine”, is open to interpretation.

Wistrich highlights this patiently and perfectly.

Anyone working in the charity sector whose users have bumped up against the justice system knows just how difficult it is to navigate as a victim. Hearing these testimonies from legal professionals validates our feelings and experiences, and highlights the strong need for change. Wistrich is among those leading that charge for change, and this book highlights some of the wrongs that needed righting. And it gives hope for the future and for change.

Wistrich, Harriet. Sister in Law. Fighting for Justice in a System Designed by Men. Narrated by Catherine Bailey. Audible 2024.

https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Sister-in-Law-Audiobook/B0CS74Y7QB