Occurrence Of Assault Research Articles

Storage of evidence and delayed reporting after sexual assault: Rates and impact factors on subsequent reporting

BackgroundSexual assault (SA) is alarmingly prevalent, yet reporting rates remain disproportionately low. Forensic examinations (FE) play a crucial role in both immediate medical care and evidence collection, yet many victims/survivors may not report the crime initially, leading to the loss of vital forensic evidence. The storage of evidence “Option 3″ care alternative provides post-SA care including FE without initial police involvement. MethodsThis is a cross-sectional study analysing the attendances of people who chose to store evidence at the Dublin Sexual assault Treatment Unit (SATU) between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2023. ResultsThere were 238 storage of evidence FEs (‘Option 3’) performed during the study period, which represented 12.8 % of all FEs. The majority identified as female (89.1 %), with an average age of 26.6 years. 31.9 % attended within 24 h of the incident, and 51.3 % self-referred. Most assaults occurred over weekends (64.7 %), with alcohol consumption reported in 82.2 % of cases and drug-facilitated SA concerns in 20.2 %. Genital injuries were present in 17.9 % of females and 19 % of males.Those that availed of storage of evidence (compared with those who initially reported to the police) were significantly more likely to have consumed alcohol (p < 0.001) and the assault was more likely to have occurred indoors (p = 0.002). There was no significant difference in care option choice for those ‘unsure’ of the assault occurrence (p = 0.353).Among storage of evidence cases, 20.2 % subsequently reported to the police, with females more likely to report (p = 0.02), while people who were uncertain whether an assault had occurred were less likely to report (p = 0.04). Genital injury (p = 0.822), victim-assailant relationship (p = 0.465), assault location (p = 0.487), and substance consumption (p = 0.332) did not significantly affect subsequent reporting rates. ConclusionsThe availability of storage of evidence has afforded people the opportunity to access prompt, responsive SATU care including collection of forensic evidence which may have significant evidential value. This approach provides further opportunity for comprehensive detection of a crime, even if reporting to the police is delayed.

Does green space influence assaults? Evidence from Toronto, Canada

Criminal behavior has been traditionally linked to green space. However, studies on the relationship between green space and crime vary in their conclusions and even contradict each other. This variability is primarily attributed to the mixing-up of specific crimes and the less-explored influencing mechanisms. This study considers Toronto and focuses on a specific kind of crime, assault, for exploring whether green space influences the neighborhood assault rate. If so, then how does it affect the assault rate? By considering the neighborhood as the spatial analysis unit, the indicators of green space and its component structure (namely the composition of trees, shrubs, and grass) are included in the regression analysis model used in this study. The dual effect (both positive and negative) of walkability on crime is treated as the moderator in the regression model. Our analysis revealed that high percentages of green space, tree area, and grass area potentially inhibit assault occurrence, while the shrub area percentage has no statistically significant association with the assault rate. When walkability reaches a certain degree (84th or/and 50th percentiles in this study), it can enhance the inhibitory impact of the green space and its component structure (including trees, shrubs, and grass) on the assault rate. Comparatively, this reduction effect is more significant for green space composed of grass. Therefore, we can infer that increasing the percentage of trees and grass, while simultaneously improving walkability, can reduce residents’ risk of being assaulted at the neighborhood level.

Polyvictimization among a juvenile Portuguese sample

Introduction Some adolescents experience more than one type of abuse [1] that can occur under different incidents during childhood and/or juvenile development [2]. Polyvictimization can be defined as the experience of four or more types of violence, including childhood neglect, psychological, physical or sexual abuse, witnessing violence [3]. In Portugal, studies on polyvictimization are very scarce [4]. The objectives of the current study are to analyse the prevalence of polyvictimization in a sample of Portuguese youth, to compare differences in polyvictimization between age and gender groups, and to verify the probability of occurrence of different types of victimisation among boys and girls. Materials and methods The sample was composed of 849 participants, with 459 girls and 390 boys, and ages between 12 and 17 years old (M = 13.70, SD = 1.43). The study was conducted in Portuguese schools. The data collection was conducted according to ethical principles, with the authorisation of the schools, the parents, and the youth. Participants answered face to face to a sociodemographic questionnaire and to the Juvenile Victimisation Questionnaire (JVQ) that assesses to conventional crimes, child maltreatment, peer and sibling victimisation, sexual victimisation, and witnessing and indirect victimisation [4]. Results Over the last year, 67% (n = 388) of the participants had experienced at least one type of victimisation. The results reported differences in polyvictimization concerning age groups and not between gender groups. The difference between the group 12–14 years and the group 15–17 years was significant [χ 2(3, n = 849) = 8.793, p = .032], and dependent on polyvictimization. Concerning gender groups, the difference in victimisation levels between boys and girls was not significant. However, the probability of occurrence of the various forms of victimisation was different between genders. Boys showed higher probability of occurrence of assault without weapon (OR = 0.430; p < .01; boys = 20.8%, girls = 14.2%), attempted assault (OR = 0.540; p < .01; boys = 18.5%; girls = 10.9%), nonsexual genital assault (OR = 0.241; p < .001; boys = 15.9%; girls = 4.4%), and burglary of family household (OR = 0.407; p < .05; boys = 6.2%, girls = 2.6%). However, girls revealed higher probability of occurrence of psychological/emotional abuse (OR = 1.672; p <.01; boys = 17.9%; girls = 26.8%). Discussion and conclusions This research studies the polyvictimization in a Portuguese sample of youth. The results highlight the high prevalence of victimisation among young Portuguese youth. They also point out the differences between boys and girls concerning the types of victimisation and between the oldest and the youngest concerning polyvictimization. Our results are in line with some recent researches [5,6], and they can help to develop future psychosocial prevention programs.

Structuring the Invisible War: Base and Community Influences on Military Sexual Assault Occurrence

This study examined the relationship between military sexual assault and structural factors including base (e.g., base density) and community (e.g., economic deprivation) characteristics. Data on military sexual assault against men and women for fiscal years 2013-2016 were drawn from Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office's 2017 report, "Sexual Assault Received at Military Installations and Combat Areas of Interest." Base information was pulled from fiscal years 2012 and 2013 Department of Defense's Base Structure Reports. Community-level information was drawn from 5-year American Community Survey estimates (2008-2012). Analyses were conducted in 2019. Negative binomial models were used to examine predictors of military sexual assault. Compared with civilian personnel, higher concentrations of military personnel on bases increased military sexual assault (incident rate ratio=1.01, p=0.025). Compared with Air Force-controlled installations, Navy and Marine bases were associated with higher military sexual assault prevalence (incident rate ratio=2.22, p<0.001; incident rate ratio=2.38, p<0.001, respectively). Community economic disadvantage was inversely related to military sexual assault (incident rate ratio=0.69, p=0.001), whereas residential mobility (incident rate ratio=1.07, p=0.002), percentage of racial/ethnic minorities (incident rate ratio=1.02, p=0.024 black; incident rate ratio=1.03, p<0.001 Hispanic), and percentage of residents who are veterans (incident rate ratio=1.13, p<0.001) were positively related to military sexual assault. Military sexual assault prevalence is associated with the structural characteristics of military installations and characteristics of the communities in which these installations are located. Findings suggest that further research on structural predictors of military sexual assault is needed and prevention programs and services may benefit from more community engagement.

A longitudinal observation study assessing changes in indicators of serious injury and violence with alcohol controls in four remote indigenous Australian communities in far north Queensland (2000\u20132015)

BackgroundLegal restrictions on alcohol availability have been used to address violence and injury in the world’s remote Indigenous communities. In Australia, alcohol management plans (AMPs) were implemented by the Queensland Government in 2002. This study reports changes in indicators of alcohol-related violence and injury in selected communities.MethodsDesign and setting: A longitudinal observational study was conducted in four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (Indigenous) communities in Cape York, far north Queensland. All communities are similarly-isolated from population centres where alcohol is available.Data: For 2000 to 2015 inclusive: 1019 Royal Flying Doctor Service aeromedical trauma retrievals; 5641 Queensland Police Service records of unique assault occurrences, including 2936 involving alcohol; and records for 2741 unique assault victims were examined.Data analysis:Rates (per 1000 population) of trauma retrievals, assault occurrences and assault victims (per 1000 population) were compared across three policy phases.Phase 1: 2000 to 2008. Initial restrictions on possession and consumption of alcohol in ‘restricted areas’ were implemented during 2002–2003.Phase 2: 2009 to 2012. All alcohol was prohibited in three study communities and its legal availability limited in the fourth from 2009.Phase 3: 2013 to 2015. Government reviews of AMP policies in light of legal challenges and community responses characterise this phase.ResultsCompared with Phase 1, in Phase 2 retrieval rates declined by − 29.4%, assault occurrences by − 34.1% with less than one-third involving alcohol, and assault victims by − 21.1%, reaching historically low levels in 2010–2012. These reductions did not continue consistently. Compared with Phase 1, in Phase 3 retrieval rates, assault occurrence rates and assault victim rates declined by somewhat lesser amounts, − 13.9%, − 15.0% and − 13.4%, respectively. In Phase 3, the proportion of assault occurrences involving alcohol in communities 2, 3 and 4 rose towards pre-2008 levels.ConclusionsEarly successes of these controversial alcohol restrictions are jeopardised. Indicators of violence and injury appear to be rising once more in some AMP communities. Importantly, rates have not generally exceeded the highest levels seen in Phase 1. Fresh policy action is required with rigorous monitoring to prevent erosion of initial important successes.

Tavern proximity, tavern density and socio-economic status as predictors of assault occurrence within New Zealand: a temporal comparison

ABSTRACTThis paper investigates how the associations between tavern proximity, tavern density and area unit socio-economic status with assault occurrence vary in a temporal sense. Using New Zealand Police data specifying the day, time and location of assaults in 2016 and Ministry of Justice data specifying the location of on-licenced taverns, we construct logistic regression models to determine how well tavern proximity, tavern density and socio-economic status predict the occurrence of assaults at peak (Fri 22:00–Sat 03:00 and Sat 22:00–Sun 03:00) and off-peak times. An equal-sized sample of traffic generators (public venues whose primary function is not the sale of alcohol) is constructed and similar procedures applied. We find that tavern proximity and tavern density are stronger predictors of assault occurrence at peak, compared to off-peak, times. Conversely, socio-economic status is a better predictor of assault occurrence at off-peak times. We also find that whilst tavern proximity and density are stronger predictors of assault occurrence relative to traffic generator proximity and density at peak times, the opposite is true at off-peak times. These results suggest that in order to minimise alcohol-related harm, there is a need for policy-makers to take into account the temporal nature of these relationships.

New Hampshire Hospital ‘Stays Safe’ Through Violence-Reduction Program

New Hampshire Hospital ‘Stays Safe’ Through Violence-Reduction Program

Trauma admissions among street children at a tertiary care hospital in north-western Tanzania: a neglected public health problem

Background: Trauma among street children is an emerging but neglected public health problem in most low and middle income countries. This study was conducted to determine the incidence, etiological spectrum, injury characteristics and treatment outcome among street children and to identify the predictors of the outcome of these patients at Bugando Medical Centre in Mwanza, Tanzania.Methods: The study included street children aged &lt;18 years. Routine investigations including haematological, biochemical and imaging were performed on admission. The severity of injury was determined using the Kampala Trauma Score II. Data on patient’s characteristics, circumstances of injury, injury characteristics, treatment offered, outcome variables, length of hospital stay and mortality were collected using a questionnaire.Results: A total of 342 street children (M: F = 6.8: 1) representing 11.5% of all paediatric injury patients were studied. The modal age group was 11-15 years (median = 12 years) accounting for 53.2% (n=182) of the patients. Assault was the most frequent (73.7%) cause of injury. More than three quarter of injuries occurred along the street. Most of patients (59.1%) presented late (&gt;24 hours) after injury. Blunt injuries were the most common (76.0%) mechanism of injuries. Musculoskeletal (30.8%) and head (25.3%) were the most frequent body regions affected. Soft tissue injuries were the most common type of injuries affecting 322 (94.2%) cases. Majority of patients (96.5%) underwent surgical treatment of which wound debridement (97.6%) was the most common surgical procedure performed. Complication rate was 39.5%. The median hospital stay was 6 days. Mortality rate was 13.5% and it was significantly associated with injury-arrival time (OR =2.4, 95%CI (1.3-5.6), p = 0.002), severe injury (Kampala Trauma Score &lt;6) (OR = 3.6, 95%CI (2.5-7.9), p = 0.001), severe head injuries (OR= 5.1, 95%CI (4.6 – 8.2), p =0.012) and surgical site infection.Conclusion: Trauma among street children is an emerging but neglected epidemic in Tanzania and contributes significantly to high morbidity and mortality. Assault was the most frequent cause of injury. Urgent preventive measures targeting at reducing the occurrence of assault is necessary to reduce the incidence of trauma among street children in this region.

Risk of sexual, physical and verbal assaults on men who have sex with men and female sex workers in coastal Kenya.

Violence toward MSM and female sex workers (FSW) is associated with HIV risk, and its prevention is prioritized in international HIV/AIDS policy. Sociodemographic and behavioural data derived from HIV risk and follow-up cohorts including MSM and FSW in coastal Kenya between 2005 and 2014 was used to estimate the risk of rape, physical assault and verbal abuse, and to assess associations between first occurrence of assault with individual and recent behavioural factors. Incidence of first reported rape was similar for MSM [3.9, confidence interval (CI) 3.1-5.0 per 100 person-years (pyrs)] and FSW (4.8 CI 3.5-6.4 per 100 pyrs), P = 0.22. Incidence of first reported physical and verbal assault was higher for FSW than MSM (21.1 versus 12.9 per 100 pyrs, P = 0.14 and 51.3 versus 30.9 per 100 pyrs, P = 0.03 respectively). Recent alcohol use was associated with reporting of all forms of assault by MSM [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 1.8, CI 0.9-3.5] and FSW (AOR 4.4, CI 1.41-14.0), as was recent sale of sex for MSM (AOR 2.0, CI 1.1-3.8). Exclusive sex with men, active sex work, and group sex were also specifically associated with reporting rape for MSM. Perpetrators of sexual and verbal assault were usually unknown, whilst perpetrators of physical violence toward FSW were usually regular sexual partners. MSM and FSW experienced a similarly high incidence of sexual assault in coastal Kenya, in addition to physical and verbal assault. Current national policies focus heavily on gender-based violence against women and young girls, but need to be inclusive of MSM and FSW.

Map of homicides by firearms: profile of the victims and the assaults

Describing the profile of victims and assaults by gunshot, where the outcome was death. An ecological study conducted in the city of Maceió/AL, in 2012. Data were collected from the death statements. The variables studied were: the death circumstances, gender, age, marital status, place, date, time, month and proportion according to the occurring neighborhood. The homicide mortality rate was 65.2 per 100,000 inhabitants, with 130.6 per 100,000 men and 7.8 per 100,000 women. Of the total number of homicides, 93.6% of the victims were men. The age group between 15 and 29 years of age was the most affected, with 68.8%. In 97.6% of cases the death occurred at the site of aggression, 74.1% in the streets. In relation to the date, 54.2% of cases occurred between Friday and Sunday. 59.7% of the homicides were concentrated in seven neighborhoods. The map of violence presented shows heterogeneous areas for the occurrence of assaults with firearms, characterizing the existing urban inequality in violence distribution.

Case study: design may influence use of seclusion and restraint.

The psychiatric emergency room is a dynamic and sometimes volatile environment. Its design may be an important variable in patient care, but most design decisions are based on models of thought and treatment with a minimal evidence base. The concept of open design, increasing access of patients to nursing staff, for inpatient psychiatric units has recently gained widespread acceptance, despite a dearth of empirical data. We examined rates of seclusion and restraint before and after a design change that reduced the openness of the unit in a dedicated emergency psychiatric service in a general university hospital. Quality assurance data regarding the census, occurrence of assaults, and the use of seclusion and restraint were queried. Two independent analyses utilizing a test of proportional data were performed to replicate the findings. After placement of a door to restrict patients' access to the waiting area of the unit, the rate of the use of seclusion and restraint went from 0.03 (44/777) to 0.0185 (27/1,514; z = 2.02, p < .04). Replication over a separate time period saw reduction from 0.029 (67/2,277) to 0.018 (44/2,431), z = 2.44, p < .02). A design change that reduced the openness of the unit resulted in the reduction of seclusion and restraint.

Assaultive behavior by psychiatric in-patients and its related factors.

The purpose of this article is to explore assaultive behavior of psychiatric in-patients in a hospital and to examine the interplay of patient, environmental, and staff factors related to assault. The present study was carried out prospectively using standardized instruments applied in four acute wards in one hospital. A log system was used to record the occurrence of assaults. The results showed 595 episodes of assault from 238 patients in 7 months. Forty one nurses participated in the study. To further examine the differences between assaultive and non-assaultive patients, and assaulted and non-assaulted nurses, a logistic regression analysis was used. The results indicated that patient factors (diagnosis, history of assault, time since admission, and history of smoking), environmental factors (patient/nurse ratio and spatial density), and staff factors (age, length of work experience, training program received in prevention and management of assaults) are contributing variables to assaultive behavior. The present study examined a wider range of variables than have been included in many previous studies. This reinforces the necessary complexity of models likely to prove useful in predicting assaults among psychiatric inpatients.

Patient Violence in Psychiatric Residency: A Nationwide Survey

Twenty percent of current psychiatric residents (N = 517) responded to a nationwide survey about patient violence. Thirty six percent of responders reported 630 assaults, with 74% of residents receiving 1,853 threats. While age and training level were correlated to each other (r = .35, p < .001), no correlations were found between gender, age, height, weight number of hours of violence management training and the occurrence of assault and threat. A smaller proportion of first year residents reported assaults and threats, and more males (79%) had been threatened (females = 69%). Sources of study bias are identified and future research directions are outlined.

Ethnic differences in depressive symptomatology among young women

Objective: To examine racial and ethnic differences in moderate to severe depressive symptoms among young women seeking reproductive health care. Methods: Nine hundred four white, black, or Hispanic women between 14 and 26 years of age completed an anonymous questionnaire that assessed demographic and reproductive characteristics; recent substance use, including binge drinking; sexual behaviors; occurrence of assault; and depressive symptoms. Logistic regression analysis was used to develop adjusted odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals for correlates of depressive symptomatology for each racial or ethnic group. Results: Twenty-one percent (68 of 321) of whites, 28% (88 of 316) of blacks, and 29% (77 of 267) of Hispanics reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms. White females with moderate to severe depressive symptoms were more likely to report sexual assault (OR = 3.1); being a high school dropout (OR = 2.6); unemployment (OR = 2.4); two or more episodes of binge drinking (OR = 2.1); and having a mother with less than a high school education (OR = 2.4). Black females with depressive symptoms were more likely to report smoking one to nine cigarettes per day (OR = 3.5); sexual assault (OR = 3.2); and unemployment (OR = 2.1). Hispanic females with depressive symptoms were more likely to report adolescent age (OR = 3.5); physical assault (OR = 3.2); and smoking one or more cigarettes per day (OR = 2.4). Conclusion: Twenty to 25% of young women, regardless of race or ethnicity, have moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and behavioral markers vary according to ethnicity.

Staffing of Inpatient Psychiatric Units and Assault by Patients

BACKGROUND: Assault by a patient is a serious problem for patients, staff, and hospitals. There is disagreement in the literature about the relationship between the number of staff on psychiatric units and the assault rate. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the number of and characteristics of nursing staff and the occurrence of assault on inpatient psychiatric units. STUDY DESIGN: This was a comparative study of assaults over a 6-month time period. The primary unit of analysis was the unit shift. RESULTS: When comparing shifts with an assault to shifts without an assault, the statistical resultsfor each of thefour dependent variables (number of registered nurses, number of staff patient/staff ratio, and staff gender) were not significant. There was a significant (p &lt; .001) interaction among three factors: assault status, unit, and time. Although the number of registered nurses (RNs) was not significantly related to assault occurrence, examination of individual units by time of day (shift) revealed surprising and important results. Some units had more assaults when there were fewer RNs, and some units had more assaults when there were more RNs. CONCLUSION: The difference between shifts with an assault and shifts without an assault depended on the particular unit and the particular time of day. The findings cannot be generalized across units and must be examined in detail at the unit level A most importantfinding in need offurther investigation is the inconsistent pattern of number of RNs related to assault occurrence both among units and within each unit.

Staffing of inpatient psychiatric units and assault by patients*1

Background: Assault by a patient is a serious problem for patients, staff, and hospitals. There is disagreement in the literature about the relationship between the number of staff on psychiatric units and the assault rate. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the number of and characteristics of nursing staff and the occurrence of assault on inpatient psychiatric units. Study Design: This was a comparative study of assaults over a 6-month time period. The primary unit of analysis was the unit shift. Results: When comparing shifts with an assault to shifts without an assault, the statistical results for each of the four dependent variables (number of registered nurses, number of staff, patient/staff ratio, and staff gender) were not significant. There was a significant (p < .001) interaction among three factors: assault status, unit, and time. Although the number of registered nurses (RNs) was not significantly related to assault occurrence, examination of individual units by time of day (shift) revealed surprising and important results. Some units had more assaults when there were fewer RNs, and some units had more assaults when there were more RNs. Conclusion: The difference between shifts with an assault and shifts without an assault depended on the particular unit and the particular time of day. The findings cannot be generalized across units and must be examined in detail at the unit level. A most important finding in need of further investigation is the inconsistent pattern of number of RNs related to assault occurrence both among units and within each unit.

Environmental characteristics related to patient assault.

Environmental factors related to physical assault by patients were examined to identify clinical implications warranting further investigation and to test methodology. The concepts of ward conditions (degree of patients' illness, numbers of patients and staff) and ward climate were the focus of the study. Participants were patients and nursing staff on two acute and four long-term psychiatric units in a large neuropsychiatric hospital. Patients and staff were asked to complete the Ward Atmosphere Scale to assess ward mood and climate. Each assault incident was identified from the daily nursing ward report. With each assault occurrence, the nurse manager was asked to complete a questionnaire about environmental conditions at the time of the assault. Most assaults occurred during meal times and afternoons. The most frequent locations were ward corridors and dayrooms. There appeared to be an inverse relationship between assault frequency and number of staff. Crowding rather than total number of patients per ward was suggested as a factor related to assault. Degree of patient acuity seemed to be inversely related to assault frequency. There were suggested trends between assault frequency and a low score on autonomy and a high score on staff control. Clinical implications, ideas for further research, and improved design measures are suggested. The challenge to understand and control this complex phenomenon remains a critical issue for inpatient nursing care.