Victims Of Abuse Research Articles

The Circumstances Surrounding Fatal Pediatric Opioid Poisonings, 2004-2020.

There is little understanding of the circumstances behind fatal pediatric opioid poisonings. Our objective was to characterize opioid fatalities according to child, family, and household factors. We used data from the National Fatality Review-Case Reporting System to describe the circumstances behind the deaths of children 0 to 17 years of age who died of an opioid poisoning (ie, prescription opioid, heroin, illicit fentanyl) between 2004 and 2020. Decedents were stratified into age groups: 0-4, 5-9, 10-14, and 15-17 years. The majority (65.3%) of the 1696 fatal opioid poisonings occurred in the child's own home. Prescription opioids contributed to 91.8% of deaths, heroin contributed to 5.4%, and illicit fentanyl to 7.7%. Co-poisonings with nonopioid substances occurred in 43.2% of deaths. Among 0- to 4-year-olds, 33.9% died of homicide and 45.0% had a primary caregiver with a history of substance use/abuse. Among 10- to 14-year-olds and 15- to 17-year-olds, respectively, 42.0% and 72.8% of decedents had a history of substance use/abuse. In each age group, at least 25.0% of children were victims of previous child maltreatment. A history of maltreatment and substance use-whether on the part of the caregiver or the child-are common factors surrounding fatal pediatric opioid poisonings, the majority of which occur in the child's own home. Families with children of all ages would benefit from interventions focused on opioid prescribing, storage, disposal, and misuse. These findings also underscore the urgency of ensuring that access to naloxone becomes universal for families with a history of maltreatment and/or substance use.

The Role Of Investigators In The Application Of Restorative Justice And Rehabilitation To Victims Of Drug Abuse In The Belawan Port Police

This study aims to determine the application of restorative justice and rehabilitation in the case of narcotics crime in legislation, the role of investigators in implementing restorative justice and rehabilitation in the Belawan jurisdiction, as well as the obstacles faced by investigators in implementing restorative justice and rehabilitation in the region. The research method used in this study is empirical juridical research that combines elements of law and scientific method. This study uses a qualitative approach with data collection techniques through interviews and document studies. The data sources consist of primary data obtained through observation, interviews, and questionnaires, as well as secondary data derived from primary and secondary legal materials. Data analysis is done descriptively by grouping, interpreting, and summarizing the data obtained. Investigators have an important role in handling cases of victims of drug abuse, including in the investigation, investigation, and rehabilitation. The implementation of restorative justice and rehabilitation at the Belawan Port Police Station has been carried out, but there are still obstacles such as lack of knowledge and skills of investigators, lack of support and facilities, and lack of community involvement. Increased training for investigators and stronger cooperation with communities and rehabilitation institutions are needed to improve the effectiveness of Drug Abuse Prevention.

Peran Regulasi Emosi dalam Perilaku Mencari Bantuan pada Korban Kekerasan dalam Pacaran

The stage of early adulthood in human development is to establish romantic relationships with the opposite sex. Therefore, having a romantic relationship is important for individuals at that age. Out of these four types of violence, emotional violence is the one that cannot be seen in real life, and even the victims don't really feel that what they are experiencing is a form of emotional violence. In emotional violence, the perpetrator will play a role by manipulating the victim, so that the victim does not even realize what he is experiencing, but gradually the impact of the violence is felt in everyday life. Meanwhile, the position of victims who are manipulated and unaware of the violence they experience, makes them feel that their perception of the situation they are experiencing is unrealistic, victims usually do not recognize or recognize emotional violence, and they develop coping mechanisms such as denial and minimize the violence they experience. With this condition it is difficult for victims to seek help for what they are experiencing. There are predictors that can influence the behavior of seeking help, including the regulation of the victim's emotions, the intensity of the search for help itself, and so on. In order to seek help from a manipulative, emotionally abusive state, the victim must have trust in others. Conditions that are astonishing and difficult to understand and believe are like victims of natural emotional abuse, forcing them to only want to open up to people they truly trust.

Psychopathology, psychopathy, body management, and undoing in youthful parricide offenders.

This study of 21 youthful parricide offenders (YPOs) ages 11-21 examined the relationship between psychopathology, level of psychopathy, and crime scene behaviors, particularly two forms of "body management": (1) "body movement" and (2) "body alteration." Undoing, a form of body alteration reflecting psychological rather than practical needs, for example, to lessen guilt or symbolically reverse the killing, was present in one-third of the sample. The sample shared common characteristics with juvenile parricide offenders overall in that most of them killed one parent, were victims of chronic child abuse, had one or more psychiatric diagnoses (PTSD was most prevalent), used a firearm, and committed the killings at the family home. Unexpectedly, YPOs who were child abuse victims were not more likely to engage in undoing behaviors than non-abused youth, and over half of the youth with undoing behaviors had elevated psychopathy levels. Three-quarters of youth who moved victim bodies following the murders had elevated psychopathy levels. Similarly, all three youth who transported bodies away from the crime scene had elevated psychopathy levels and conduct disorder. None of the youth with psychotic symptoms engaged in undoing behaviors, altered victim bodies, moved bodies either within or away from the home, or had an elevated degree of psychopathy; they also most often killed using bladed weapons, whereas the nonpsychotic youth usually used firearms. Studies examining the influence of mental illness and psychopathy level on parricidal behaviors by youth are scarce, and to our knowledge this is the largest study to date investigating this area.

Analisis Pertimbangan Majelis Hakim Atas Pelaksanaan Restitusi Terhadap Pemenuhan Hak Anak Korban Tindak Pidanan Pencabulan

In this study, the specific case related to the implementation of restitution in a child sexual abuse case is addressed in Decision Number: 114/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Kot Agung, which has become final and legally binding (Inkracht). The judge did not fully grant the restitution request submitted by the child victim of sexual abuse in the decision. The theories utilized in this research are the Theory of Judicial Consideration and the Theory of Legal Utility.. This research is normative or doctrinal legal research. The approach methods used in this study are analytical, statutory, and case approaches. The types and sources of legal materials utilized involve literature review, collecting secondary data consisting of primary legal materials, secondary legal materials, and tertiary legal materials. The data analysis in this legal research employs qualitative data analysis.The research findings indicate that the judge's consideration in decisions regarding restitution requests submitted by victims of sexual abuse, through the public prosecutor's indictment in Decision Number 114/Pid.Sus/2023/PN Kot Agung, is based on a thorough evaluation of the evidence presented, the condition of the victim, and the offender's ability to pay restitution. Besides justice in judicial considerations, the principle of legal utility in the judge's assessment of restitution plays a crucial role in ensuring that legal decisions are not only fair but also practically beneficial to the victim. Furthermore, the ideal concept for implementing restitution as a means of fulfilling rights and providing benefits for child victims of sexual abuse should include several essential elements: comprehensive and clear regulations, consistent law enforcement, easy access for victims, transparency and accountability, and prevention and rehabilitation. This ideal concept aims to offer better protection and justice for crime victims and ensure that offenders are held accountable for the impact of their actions

An Exploration of the Knowledge and Current Practices of Frontline Workers Regarding Elder Abuse.

Annually, approximately 16% of adults aged 60 and older are victims of abuse in community settings. A critical first step toward effectively intervening and reducing the prevalence of elder abuse is to better understand the current state of knowledge, beliefs, and practices. This qualitative descriptive study explored the perceptions of US frontline community workers regarding elder abuse through focus groups and interviews conducted in the spring and summer of 2021. Participants represented various aging and victim services (n = 9), healthcare (n = 7), and law enforcement (n = 8). Thematic data analysis led to the emergence of three major themes in our data: societal influence, individual circumstances, and nature of abuse. Our findings point out several directions in which researchers and policymakers can begin moving the field forward. These include the need to focus on prevention strategies as well as the need to reduce ageist beliefs and attitudes.

The Help-Seeking Behavior of Victims of Image-Based Sexual Harassment and Abuse: A Scoping Review.

Image-based sexual harassment and abuse (IBSHA) has recently gained scientific attention. To date, research has primarily focused on victim characteristics and impact, while little specific empirical research exists on victims' help-seeking behavior, including barriers and facilitators to seeking support. The aim of this scoping review was to examine the current state of literature on IBSHA victims' help-seeking behavior and barriers and facilitators to seeking support. Seven electronic bibliographic databases were searched up to June 2023 to identify relevant literature. Inclusion criteria consisted of (1) English or Dutch language, (2) original empirical data, (3) studying one or more forms of IBSHA, (4) victim sample, and (5) addressing help-seeking behavior, and/or factors encouraging or discouraging help-seeking. The scoping review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis Protocols extension for scoping reviews. In total, 81 articles were included. Varying definitions of IBSHA, sample sizes, and populations complicated the drawing of general conclusions. The research was primarily conducted in English-speaking Western countries with a majority of young, White, heterosexual, and women samples. Prevalence rates of help-seeking strongly varied. Multiple sources of informal and formal support were identified, including friends, family, social media platforms, and police. Informal support appeared preferred. Articles identified several barriers to help-seeking including shame, (fear of) negative social responses and negative expectations of formal support, and facilitators, including desire for justice and takedown of non-consensually shared images. Research on IBSHA is growing rapidly. The field would benefit from further research focused on help-seeking with diverse samples, standardized measures, and intersectionality. Recommendations for policy and practice are provided.

The impact of economic, social and health crises on victims of domestic violence

Aim: The situation of victims of domestic violence and partner abuse becomes even more serious in crisis situations. There have been and are ongoing conflicts in the world, which have been scrutinised by economists, sociologists, criminologists, health professionals and lawyers alike in recent years. The latest related research worldwide provides a lot of important new information that can help prepare for the problem and provide professionally competent answers. Methodology: A selection of research conducted in different parts of the world. Summary reports were prepared to shed light on similarities and differences. Findings: It is clear from the processed literature that the individual forms of violence are connected in crisis situations and pose an even greater danger. Violence at the macro level, such as war, also increases violent conflict at the micro level. The crises caused by the fear of COVID, the lockdown, war conflicts, hunger, and the climate disaster spill over into family homes and make the victims of domestic violence and partner abuse even more vulnerable. Most of the processed materials analyse research born after COVID. The COVID–19 epidemic also provided many lessons regarding the management and prevention of the economic effects of future natural disasters and the associated increased domestic violence. Value: Analyses point to relationships that need further research and evaluation. In the future, macro- and micro-level violence research must be continued, common global results must be aggregated, and complex, global solutions must be developed. International organisations must continue to collect data and provide clear guidelines to public bodies and social organisations for the joint management of macro- and micro-level problems.

A gazdasági, társadalmi és egészségügyi válságok hatása a családon belüli erőszak áldozataira

Aim: The situation of victims of domestic violence and partner abuse becomes even more serious in crisis situations. There have been and are ongoing conflicts in the world, which have been scrutinized by economists, sociologists, criminologists, health professionals and lawyers alike in recent years. The latest related research worldwide provides a lot of important new information that can help prepare for the problem and provide professionally competent answers. Methodology: A selection of research conducted in different parts of the world. Summary reports were prepared to shed light on similarities and differences. Findings: It is clear from the processed literature that the individual forms of violence are connected in crisis situations and pose an even greater danger. Violence at the macro level, such as war, also increases violent conflict at the micro level. The crises caused by the fear of COVID, the lockdown, war conflicts, hunger, and the climate disaster spill over into family homes and make the victims of domestic violence and partner abuse even more vulnerable. Most of the processed materials analyse research born after COVID. The COVID-19 epidemic also provided many lessons regarding the management and prevention of the economic effects of future natural disasters and the associated increased domestic violence. Value: Analyses point to relationships that need further research and evaluation. In the future, macro- and micro-level violence research must be continued, common global results must be aggregated, and complex, global solutions must be developed. International organizations must continue to collect data and provide clear guidelines to public bodies and social organizations for the joint management of macro- and micro-level problems.

Identifying the Mechanisms Linking Child Abuse Victimization and Substance Use and Misuse Among an Adult Population in China

ABSTRACT Existing research reveals that early child abuse victimization and substance use and misuse in adulthood have a major relationship. To enhance the understanding of the relationship, we proposed models linking child abuse victimization to substance use and misuse later in life through a social learning process and a psychological strain process channeled through deviant peer association, perceived harms of substance use, self-esteem, and psychological distress. Using data from a probability sample of 2,799 adults in a Chinese city, we conducted an SEM analysis to test the relationships among the conceptual constructs. Child abuse victimization exhibited positive and indirect effects on multiple forms of substance use and misuse, including frequency of tobacco use, frequency of binge drinking, and illicit drug use. Deviant peer association and perceived harms of substance use mediated all effects of child abuse victimization on substance use and misuse in adulthood. Self-esteem and psychological distress, however, played varied roles in the mediating processes. Overall, child abuse victimization demonstrated a significant indirect effect on substance use and misuse in adulthood. To understand whether child abuse victimization is related to substance use behavior in adulthood, examining the indirect links between child abuse victimization and substance use and misuse is critical.

Personal, Family, and Environmental Factors Associated with Somatic Complaints in School-Aged Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

Personal, Family, and Environmental Factors Associated with Somatic Complaints in School-Aged Child Victims of Sexual Abuse

Exploring the nexus between post-traumatic stress disorder and patriarchy: a gender-based variation

Respected Editor, Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychological disorder resulting from witnessing or experiencing trauma, aggravated by repeated exposure to stress and anxiety. We aim to highlight the underrepresentation of PTSD in a third-world country, its gender-specific variations, and its disproportionate prevalence in women in a male-dominated society. According to recent studies, gender-based differences in PTSD are reported as 2:1, favouring women. Statistics reveal that men face more traumatic incidents, ranging from violence, bloodshed, and natural disasters.1. Yet women are more susceptible to PTSD because men, encountering such occurrences regularly, perceive it as a norm and find it easier to cope with it than their female counterparts, who happen to have a more significant post-trauma recovery time, which may be a result of fluctuating gonadal hormone levels in young females, as hypothesized by recent studies.2 Furthermore, Pimlott-Kubiak’s theory of trauma and PTSD (2003) suggests that patriarchy exacerbates mental health disorders in women as a vast majority of victims of abuse happen to have their spouses as assailants, categorizing as intimate partner violence.3 Being considered a taboo, women who have experienced assault are silenced due to stigmatization. They become a target of victim shaming and are discouraged from discussing the matter. With no therapy, self-blame ensues, along with a wide spectrum of symptoms of PTSD, like borderline personality disorder, flashbacks, eating disorders, disassociation, and depression, forcing the ‘labelled’ women to sever all positive connections and distance themselves from their loved ones due to fear of being judged.4 Complex Chronic PTSD may result from witnessing or experiencing assault since childhood in an abusive household from an aggressive male, which can trigger mental health issues when dealing with life's challenges as adults.5 Failing to find any discussion on this topic in medical research databases including PubMed and PakMediNet, solidifies our point that lack of awareness and research about the adverse effects of patriarchy on the mental health of women living in a developing country leads to a society where negligence prevails, fueling a vicious cycle of psychological disorders, passed on from generation to generation. Being a disorder that haunts victims for life, PTSD should be tackled with awareness, therapies, and emotional support to ensure a healthy life for all women. More research should be conducted to highlight this issue so that people can talk about such concerns more comfortably and the harm caused by PTSD in Pakistani society can be minimized.

Perancangan Multimedia Informasi Iklan Layanan Masyarakat “Domestic Abuse” Di Dinas Pemberdayaan Perempuan Perlindungan Anak Dan Keluarga Berencana Jawa Barat

Domestic abuse is a social problem in Indonesia that always be inherent and not easy to deal with, the rate of domestic abuse exploded when pandemic happen in Indonesia. in West Java alone there already 2000 case about domestic abuse that already registered. This number can be pressed if society have the courage and awareness about domestic abuse among them, as a victim or as a witness of the abuse. This multimedia application was designed for facilitate the socialization process of domestic abuse in order to cultivate courage in society to report if they see someone they know is a victim of domestic abuse. So, an information multimedia application of domestic abuse public service advertisements with a case study at the West Java Women's Empowerment, Child Protection and Family Planning Office was created. The methodology used is Multimedia Development Life Cycle (MDLC) that have 6 stages (concept, design, material collecting, assembly, testing, and distribution). The , multimedia application of domestic abuse public service advertisements was designed according to users need obtained from observation and implemented using Adobe Animate CC 2019 with Action Script 3.0 programming language.the testing of this application is using black box testing method show that this application running smoothly and fit to what the user wants. The result of this testing show that the average of the testing result from 3 category (design, feature, and user satisfaction) with 12 test parameters is 4,39 (87,8%).

Reframing Child Protection in Emergency Medicine

Child maltreatment remains a concerning source of morbidity and mortality in the United States, where more than 600,000 children are victims of abuse each year, with well-described, long-term consequences for physical and mental health. However, the US child welfare system is characterized by systemic racism and inequity. Black and Native American children are more likely to be evaluated and reported for suspected abuse despite evidence that race does not independently change their risk of being abused. Once reported to child protective services (CPS), these children are more likely to be removed from their homes and less likely to be reunited with their families than White children. Much of the inequity in this system starts at the front door, where a growing body of research demonstrates that bias regularly infiltrates decision-making in the initial clinical evaluation and management of suspected abuse. Minority children presenting to emergency departments (ED) are more likely to receive diagnostic testing and are more likely to be referred to CPS. In this editorial, we argue for the application of an equity lens to child protection in the ED. We discuss how emergency physicians can balance efforts to protect children from abuse with the imperative to protect children and families from the harms of an inequitable child welfare system. Our discussion concludes with concrete recommendations for emergency clinicians to participate in active bias mitigation and thoughtfully navigate their responsibilities as mandated reporters.

Researching gender-based violence remotely during a pandemic: challenges, opportunities and methodological implications

There has been increased awareness of the unique challenges faced by those researching gender-based violence (GBV) in recent years. While much of the literature has rightly focused on the needs of participants (as victim/survivors), less has been written around the needs of researchers. Yet we know that researching GBV can have both positive and negative impacts on researchers (Nikischer, 2019) and it has recently been recommended that researchers have access to clinical supervision when regularly exposed to traumatic material (Williamson et al, 2020). This article draws on reflections from research carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic regarding the reasons why victims of domestic abuse and/or sexual violence may withdraw from the criminal justice process. The research team were provided with independent clinical supervision by a qualified therapist with expertise in interpersonal abuse throughout the duration of the project. Analysis of the researchers’ reflections suggest that while the move to remote research during the pandemic created opportunities in terms of flexibility there were additional emotional challenges to those experienced pre-pandemic. Importantly, this exploratory article shares reflections on the value of clinical supervision for addressing these challenges and recommends that all GBV researchers have access to this vital resource.

Using machine learning modeling to identify childhood abuse victims on the basis of personality inventory responses

Trauma is very common and associated with significant co-morbidity world-wide, particularly PTSD and frequently other mental health disorders. However, it can be challenging to identify victims of abuse as self-reports can be difficult to elicit due to emotional distress. Better confirmation of a history of significant mistreatment can assist significantly in treatment planning. We evaluate an alternate approach based on machine-learning techniques applied to personality inventory data (Minnesota Personality Inventory, Adolescent Version; MMPI-A) obtained concurrently to examine convergence with reports of past trauma exposure. The Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ) was administered to 733 child and adolescent inpatients. Statistical and information-theory measures showed that each type of abuse – sexual, physical, and emotional – had a unique “fingerprint” of MMPI-A profiles. In contrast to our previous findings in terms of specific correlations with IQ, individuals positive for Sexual abuse had the fewest MMPI-A elevations, followed by Physical abuse, while those reporting Emotional abuse had the greatest number of elevations. We developed an initial classifier Machine Learning (ML) model for predicting a history of abuse that demonstrates equivalent sensitivity compared to other widely used screening measures. In addition, we show via PCA and cluster analysis that the different levels of severity of emotional abuse present with unique mixtures of personality trait characteristics. Thus, this type of ML mediated analysis could permit at-scale detection of those at potential high risk of a history of abuse by use of real-time information, using a variety of nontransparent data sources.

The contribution of the Italian Institute of Social Security (INPS) to the protection of female victims of abuse with a 7-Step Guide. Further hypothesis of a traumatological forensic health medico-legal assessment

The contribution of the Italian Institute of Social Security (INPS) to the protection of female victims of abuse with a 7-Step Guide. Further hypothesis of a traumatological forensic health medico-legal assessment

Sexual Victimization and Sexually Transmitted Infections Among a Nationally Representative Sample of Adolescents and Young Adults in Haiti.

Sexual assault victims are at major risk of being infected by sexually transmitted infections (STI). This article aims to examine and compare the prevalence of eight STIs (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, human papillomavirus) among victims and non-victims of sexual abuse. A national cross-sectional study was conducted in Haiti, using a multistage sampling frame, stratified by geographical department, urban or rural setting, gender, and age groups (15-19 and 20-24years). The final sample included 3586 household participants (47.6% female). A weighted sample of 3945 individuals was obtained and used in the following analyses. Overall, 21.75% (95% CI 19.91-23.59) of participants reported having been diagnosed with at least one STI in their lifetime, with a higher prevalence among men (25.70%; 95% CI 22.89-28.52), compared to women (18.11%; 95% CI 15.73-20.49), χ2 = 16.43; p < 0.001). Sexual abuse victims were more likely to report STIs (31.27%; 95% CI 29.21-33.34), compared to non-victims (18.40%; 95% CI 16.68-20.13), χ2 = 27.89; p < .001. Sexual abuse was associated to an increased risk of contracting at least one STI (OR = 1.74; 95% CI 1.35, 2.24). The results demonstrate that sexual abuse is associated with a general increase of reporting STIs. They indicate the need for national sexual abuse prevention programs at early ages. These programs should be implemented in schools and churches, focusing on the role of families in sexuality education. Finally, programs must be developed to eradicate community violence-especially in the cities-as increased political and social violence has always been associated with increased sexual abuse in Haiti.

The Rain Reveals the Leaks

When we consider the issue of vulnerability in the context of sexual abuse, we think of the vulnerable as those who have been victimized by abuse, and there is truth in this view. However, it is also important to recognize the vulnerability that abuse exposes in our own hearts and systems. It is easy, when the rains are far away, to assume our roofs are well-built and secure, but it is when the rain begins pouring over our own houses that the leaks become obvious. When we see only the vulnerability within the victims of sexual abuse, we too often blame the victims for their weakness and insist that if they strengthened themselves, the problem of sexual abuse would be resolved. However, if a child lives in a leaky house, teaching them to hold an umbrella over their head will not solve the problem. We must pay attention to the cries of the vulnerable to find and repair the hidden leaks in our systems, but we must also examine what the needs of the vulnerable reveal in our own hearts. As Christ teaches us in the parable of the sheep and the goats, it is how we respond to the cries of the vulnerable and not how many great deeds we claim to perform in the name of Christ which determines whether we are aligned with the Spirit of Christ or another spirit. An examination of pastoral responses to abuse, academic abuse research, and the Scriptures clearly demonstrate that there are severe ‘leaks’ in the ‘roof’ of the Church which we must address.

Elder Abuse Around the World: An International Perspective

Elder abuse is a hidden epidemic, with millions of older adults experiencing physical, psychological, or financial harm each year. However, the true extent of the problem is unknown due to under-reporting and lack of reliable data. This paper aims to provide an international perspective on the hidden epidemic of elder abuse, exploring the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of this global issue. A systematic review of the literature was conducted using multiple databases. Studies from various countries were included to overview the problem comprehensively. The prevalence of elder abuse varies widely across countries, but it is estimated that at least 1 in 6 older adults experience some form of abuse. Risk factors include female gender, advanced age, cognitive impairment, and social isolation. Consequences of elder abuse include physical and psychological harm, premature death, and reduced quality of life. Elder abuse is a severe and pervasive global problem. The lack of reliable data and under-reporting makes it difficult to assess its prevalence and impact accurately. The review underscores the urgent need for a worldwide response to elder abuse tailored to consider cultural contexts and local resources. Collaborative efforts between governmental and non-governmental organizations are essential to raise awareness, provide education on elder rights, and implement effective prevention strategies. Establishing robust reporting mechanisms and support frameworks for victims of elder abuse is crucial for safeguarding the wellbeing of older adults worldwide.