Fear Of Violence Research Articles

Violence Reduction Units: What is a public health approach?

The World Health Organization (WHO) (2017: para 3), illustrate that a public health approach to reducing violence involves ‘improving the health and safety of all individuals by addressing underlying factors that increase the likelihood that an individual will become a victim or perpetrator of violence… programmes for primary prevention of violence… are designed to expose a broad segment of a population to prevention measures to reduce and prevent violence at a population-level’. These approaches to violence reduction are not a new concept, but they are becoming increasingly popular in dealing with the increasing the threat, exposure, and fear of violence in the UK. Serious Violence among all ages groups in England and Wales has significantly increased, increasing by almost 12% since 2022, nearly returning to pre-COVID-19 figures (Violence Research Group, 2023). This paper explores what is meant by adopting a public health approach to violence reduction, demonstrates how violence is a worldwide public health issue, and outlines how this underpins the recent Violence Reduction Unit initiatives in the UK. This paper provides important context for the violence prevention and reduction intervention focused papers in this special edition.

The mediating role of psychological well-being on the effect of fear of future violent events at work on nurses' intention to migration.

To evaluate the effect of the fear of violence of nurses working in Turkey on their intention to migrate and to examine the mediating role of psychological well-being on this effect. Many countries are concerned about nurses' fear of violence and their intention to migrate. The fear of violence at work may influence nurses' intention to migrate. Additionally, psychological well-being may impact this process. However, the impact of the fear of violence at work on the intention to migrate, as well as the moderating effect of psychological well-being in a nursing context, is not well understood. We conducted this cross-sectional study on a sample of 221 nurses from two public hospitals. We collected survey data between November 2022 and January 2023 using three scales. We analyzed the data using SPSS, AMOS, and HAYES. We followed the STROBE statement guidelines for cross-sectional studies. Nurses reported a moderate intention to migrate and a moderate to high level of fear of violence and psychological well-being. Fear of violence is positively associated with the intention to migrate. Mediation analyses indicated that the association between fear of violence and intention to migration was mediated by psychological well-being. The fear among nurses of being exposed to violence increases their intention to migrate. However, high psychological well-being can reduce this intention. Nursing managers, policymakers, and decision-makers need to take serious precautions against the fear of violence in the future and make necessary improvements for nurses who witness violence. To achieve this, it can begin by paying attention to the high psychological well-being of each nurse.

Challenges faced by learners who are survivors of school violence: implications for support structures

The main aim of this study is to explore challenges faced by learners who are survivors of school violence and the implications for support structures. Many schools are branded with violence, gangsterism, substance abuse and general crime. The scourge of violence in schools is cause for concern, citing daily reports that appear in the written and electronic media about high levels of violence, physical and sexual abuse, and gang-related activities in schools. Qualitative research design and phenomenology as a mode of inquiry were employed in this study. School principals' and teachers' experiences and perceptions were elicited through focus-group interviews, document reviews, and observations. The population comprised principals and teachers in five schools. Purposive sampling was used as a method of sample selection. The findings revealed that support is key, and lack of support can negatively impact learners’ access to schools and academic achievement in many ways. It was also found that most learners who leave school prematurely, through the fear of violence, do not report when they leave. The study recommended that support must be provided promptly, and parents, teachers, and caregivers must be capacitated to offer effective and efficient support.

The Quest for Peace: Examining the Impact of Ethnic Federalism on Conflict Management in Ethiopia

The main objective of the study is to critically examine the impact of conflict management on conflict management in Ethiopia. The diverse policies that Ethiopia's previous administrations implemented have left both positive and negative legacies. In an attempt to promote national peace by addressing ethnic diversity and reducing conflict, the current regime has experimented with ethnic Federalism in a way never seen before since 1995. However, in Ethiopia, ethnic Federalism has not been able to resolve interethnic disputes. Ethnic group conflicts are become extremely widespread. People have died as a result of these wars, and other people have also been displaced and property destroyed. In addition, ethnic minorities are being driven out of different regions as a result of ethnic strife. Despite this, differing opinions persist regarding the purpose of Ethiopia's ethnic Federalism. Ethnic Federalism is seen favorably by some and is seen as a valuable instrument for resolving interethnic conflicts. However, several elites argue against ethnic Federalism as a policy and practice because they fear violence and the dissolution of the country. The study uses a qualitative content analysis design to address the paper's objective. Sociological and instrumentalist theories are also employed to address the issue. Consequently, this study has clarified how ethnic Federalism affects conflict resolution. The study implies that even if ethnic Federalism was implemented more than thirty years ago, it has not been able to resolve ethnic tensions throughout the nation.

How Strategic Violence Distorts African Elections

Abstract: While violence is a common occurrence in African elections, most attention has been focused only on a handful of cases with extreme levels of fatal election violence. Not only are these cases unrepresentative of the African continent as a whole, but focusing narrowly on these cases is also misleading when trying to understand the broader role that electoral violence plays in contemporary African democracies. Far more pervasive is the non-fatal type of low-scale election violence, which has become a common form of electoral manipulation in African elections. While low-scale violence does not threaten national security, it is an effective form of manipulation with less severe consequences for perpetrating parties. The insidious effects of low-scale violence on political participation and the quality of elections are demonstrated in Zambia, where fear of violence has come to seriously erode the quality of democracy.

Women Safety App Project

Abstract: Women's safety is a fundamental and ongoing issue affecting millions of women around the world. Fear of violence, harassment and persecution can create significant obstacles and limit their mobility and freedom. In response to these challenges, we developed the Women Safety Project app, an easy-to-use mobile app that aims to provide women with effective tools and resources to help them stay safe. The app takes into account women's particular safety concerns, such as traveling alone at night with the number or navigating in unfamiliar places. By providing a comprehensive and easily accessible solution, the Women Safety Project app aims to empower women to take back control of their safety and live happily ever after.

Introduction to the Special Issue: New Anthropological Perspectives on Children and Youth on the Move

This special issue of Anthropology in Action focuses on the intersection of two equally important, and yet unequally researched, areas of anthropological inquiry: migration and childhood. In recent years, the mediatic attention to migration has led to an increased visibility of children and youth moving through transnational contexts, often with limited access to social and economic resources. Undoubtedly, the transnational movement of young people is far from a recent phenomenon. On the contrary, historically these individuals had more chances to successfully travel long distances in search of a more fulfilled life than their older counterparts. Migration – a movement of people, associated with hopes and prospects for a better life, but also driven by fears of violence and poverty – has always had a young face.

Fear of violence and working department influences physical aggression level among nurses in northwest Ethiopia government health facilities

PurposeViolence is recognized as an extreme expression of aggressive behavior and physical violence is most recognized type among victims. Patients always come to the hospitals looking for a cure, remedy, or assurance; however, incompatibility of demand and service often results in violent incidents that become statuesque in health facilities. This study aims to investigate physical violence and associated factors among nurses in health facilities in Gondar town, Ethiopia. MethodThe study was an institutional-based cross-sectional study among nurses in Gondar town from April to May 2017. Data were collected using a pretested modified version of the standard [ILO/ICN/WHO/PSI] questionnaire by trained data collectors among 339 nurses across health facilities. Multivariable logistic regression analysis with 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to identify the factors significantly associated with physical violence at p-value ≤0.05. ResultOver one fourth (28.9%) [95% CI: (24.8, 33.9)] of nurses were victims of violence in the past 12 months. Level of verbal abuse (AOR = 2.35; 95%CI, 1.26–4.40), working in emergency (AOR = 4.58; 95%CI, 1.47–14.30) and inpatient (AOR = 3.33; 95%CI, 1.15–9.66)departments; having moderate (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI, 0.18–0.90),high (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI, 0.18–0.90), optimal (AOR = 0.41; 95%CI, 0.18–0.90) level of concern of violence were significantly associated with physical violence. ConclusionThis study underlines findings nurses are at high-risk of physical violence and it is ranked second highest only to psychiatric and trauma facilities in Gondar town. Exposure to verbal abuse, working in emergency and inpatient departments and perceived level of concern are the precursors of experiencing physical violence. Therefore, investing time and capital in training like restraining and de-escalation, structural measures that deter the assailants are important.

Empowering Women: A Reflection on Protecting Against Dating Violence In the Indonesian Context

This research delves into the prevalence of dating violence among unmarried women in Indonesia, shedding light on the challenges faced by adolescents in romantic relationships. The study reveals that a substantial portion of women aged 15 to 64, specifically 33.4%, have experienced instances of physical and sexual violence throughout their lives. Notably, sexual violence constitutes a significant share of reported incidents at 34.4%, surpassing physical violence, which accounts for a comparatively lower proportion of 19.6%. The prevalence of sexual violence emerges as a critical concern, demanding focused attention. The findings underscore the urgency for clear legislation addressing violence against women and advocate for the implementation of a comprehensive global strategy to tackle this pervasive issue. Recognizing the alarming statistics, it is imperative to enact and enforce laws that explicitly condemn violence against women, ensuring the safety and well-being of the female population. Moreover, a concerted global effort is essential to address the root causes of dating violence, promoting awareness, education, and prevention. This study serves as a call to action, urging policymakers, activists, and communities to work collaboratively in fostering an environment where women can thrive without fear of violence. By addressing the issue comprehensively, from legal frameworks to societal attitudes, we can pave the way for a safer and more equitable future for women in Indonesia and beyond.

Teachers’ Perspectives on Disruptive Student Behaviors: The Interconnectedness of Environment and Early Childhood Education in Pakistan

This study describes teachers’ perspectives on disruptive student behaviors in early childhood education classrooms in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Using an ecological model, this paper describes interviews with 26 teachers working in early childhood education. The findings show that home, school, and society do not play optimal roles in children’s education, which leads to disruption in classrooms. Illiteracy and socioeconomic problems at home prevent parents from playing their required roles, and schools are often overcrowded and have unattractive classrooms. Teachers are minimally qualified and have few teaching-learning materials at their disposal. Fear of violence is another factor. These factors do not support the behavioral development of young children. The three major circles (home, school, society) that comprise a child’s ecology are inadequate, which leads to classroom disruption, lack of motivation, and poor behavior that endangers the continuation of education.

“Asthma is a very bully disease” – patient experiences of living with chronic respiratory diseases in Cape Town, South Africa

BackgroundChronic respiratory diseases are common in Cape Town, South Africa. Yet the experiences of how adults with these conditions, such as asthma or COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), negotiate the health system are poorly understood. Qualitative methodology lends itself to investigate this question.Aim of studyTo explore the “emic” experiences of adults with CRDs in Cape Town when they were negotiating the health system using semi-structured interviews.MethodsInterviews were conducted following informed consent with purposively sampled adults who had attended public hospitals in Cape Town with chronic respiratory disease flare-ups. This work was nested in the quantitative “Diagnosing Airways Disease” study. The topic guide explored patients’ experiences of accessing healthcare including receiving and interpretations of the diagnosis and management, and impacts on daily life. Interviews were conducted in Afrikaans, isiXhosa, or English; transcribed, and translated into English and thematically analysed until saturation.ResultsThirty-two interviews (16 in Afrikaans, 8 in isiXhosa, 8 in English) were completed in 2022. 17 women and 15 men participated. Most participants were older than 50 years (25/32), and most were unemployed (13/32) or retired (11/32).The identified themes were: Perceived causes of illness; experiences of healthcare; perceived risks and barriers when accessing healthcare; and impact on earnings. The perceived causes of their illness and risks were structural, and included air pollution, poor quality housing, occupational exposures, limited healthcare services, and fear of violence. These factors led to self-treatment, sharing of medicines, and delay in receiving a diagnosis. Many paid privately for treatments or services to overcome identified shortcomings of the public healthcare system, and many reported additional significant indirect costs. Being ill had a profound impact on income. The identified themes were explored through the lens of “structural violence”, where “social structures stop individuals … from reaching their full potential” (Galtung, 1969).ConclusionIn Cape Town structural elements such as stretched healthcare professionals, insufficiently enforced policies on e.g., housing or work-place exposures, poverty and crime made it difficult for participants to successfully navigate their illness experience. It forced some to pay out of pocket to receive perceived better healthcare privately.

The Role of ‘Home School’ in Improving Sustainability for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh

During the COVID-19 pandemic, most education providers could not offer face-to-face educational support to Rohingya children in the camp at Cox’s Bazar in Bangladesh; however, some sector partners provided education online, and ‘Home School’ was one of them. This article intends to examine and learn to what extent and how home school education produced new knowledge for Rohingya children and promoted the sustainability of Rohingyas in the camp during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative research approach was used to discern the impact of online education on the sustainable livelihood of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. Using purposive sampling, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with Rohingya refugee children, key informant interviews with education providers, and teachers who worked in the camp during COVID-19. The conversation analysis technique was applied to analyse data. The findings of this study uncover that, regardless of some downsides, including the lack of endowment for formal education, the shortage of community mobilisers, the limited subjects offered, the limited duration of class time, and weak internet connection, home school education contributed enormously to ensuring the sustainable livelihood of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh by ensuring a safe and securing learning space and upholding the equal participation of boys and girls, and contributed to recovery from trauma and fear of violence in the camp.

The response to violence against women and fear of violence and the coping strategies of women in Corregidora, Mexico

The response to violence against women and fear of violence and the coping strategies of women in Corregidora, Mexico

Association between interrupted access to sex work community services during the COVID-19 pandemic and changes in sex workers’ occupational conditions: findings from a community-based cohort study in Vancouver, Canada

ObjectivesGlobally, criminalisation has shaped sex workers’ structural exclusion from occupational protections, and this exclusion has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. While community organisations aim to bridge this gap through...

Factors determining women's participation in leisure activities in Türkiye

ABSTRACT Women's participation in leisure activities is affected by many constraints, such as gender roles expected from women, the cultural structure of society, society's perspective on women, religious beliefs, traditions and customs. A woman's free will to participate in the activity she wants is only possible if the constraints to participation are removed. For this reason, it is critical to determine the leisure constraints of women. This study aims to determine women's leisure constraints within the cultural framework of Turkish society. A qualitative research method was used, and data were collected from 26 regions representing Türkiye. In-depth interviews were conducted with a total of 52 women. Socio-cultural, economic, and demographic diversity was ensured among the participants. The constraints that emerged in the findings were examined under structural, intrapersonal, and interpersonal constraints. The most frequently mentioned constraints were fear of violence and harassment, family pressure, and social pressure. Theoretical and practical implications are presented to eliminate women's leisure constraints in Turkish society.

How does urban violence impact choices of cultural participation? The case of the Maré favela complex in Rio de Janeiro.

The impact of urban violence on society has been the subject of several studies, but the consequences of fear for habits of cultural consumption are missing in cultural economics research. This article investigates whether the fear of urban violence explains individuals' choice between different options of cultural participation with a particular focus on the activities of watching movies and listening to music. Based on individual data from a survey conducted in 2019 with 1211 residents from a conglomeration of sixteen favelas (slums) located in the Maré neighbourhood in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), this study employs Simultaneous Bivariate Ordered Probit Models to verify the association between individuals' fear of violence and their choice of consuming culture in private or public spaces. Controlling for socioeconomic, demographic, and territorial variables, the findings indicate that consuming culture in private spaces is a substitute for public spaces when individuals are more afraid of violence. The results presented in this work provide evidence for the design and implementation of policies targeting territories impacted by high levels of violence.

A narrative-based approach to understand the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of stranded immigrants in four border cities in Mexico.

This paper describes the impact that the different COVID-19 related restrictions have had on the mental health and wellbeing of 57 Central American and Caribbean immigrants stranded in Mexico due to the pandemic. Ethnographic data was obtained through the application of in-depth interviews centered on topics such as migration history, personal experience with COVID-19 and beliefs about the pandemic. This information was further analyzed through a narrative approach and Atlas Ti. US Title 42 and the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP) have stranded thousands of individuals in the US-Mexico border region, a situation that has overcrowded the available shelters in the area and forced many of the immigrants to live on the streets and in improvised encampments. Thus, exposing them to a higher risk of contagion. Furthermore, the majority of the interviewed Central American and Caribbean immigrants consider that Mexico is more lenient when it comes to the enforcement of sanitary measures, especially when compared to their countries of origin. Finally, vaccination hesitancy was low among the interviewees, mainly due to the operative aspects of the vaccination effort in Mexico and the fear of ruining their chances to attain asylum in the US. These findings are backed up by the discovery of five recurring narratives among the interviewees regarding: (1) The pandemic's psychological impact. (2) The uncertainty of being stranded in Mexico and the long wait. (3) Their fear of violence over the fear of contagion. (4) The perceived leniency of Mexico with the pandemic when compared to their countries of origin, and (5) their beliefs about the pandemic and vaccines. The mental health of stranded Central American and Caribbean immigrants in Mexico during the COVID-19 pandemic is mostly affected by their inability to make it across the US-Mexico border using legal means.

Impact of gender transition on sexuality and diversity of practices: a qualitative analysis of reddit discussions

<h3>Objectives</h3> Transgender people are a heterogeneous and growing population in visibility and numbers. There is little research on their sexuality, especially outside of a heterosexual binary approach. The physical, psychological, and social changes associated with transition make knowledge developed about cisgender people difficult to apply. Internet remains the preferred source to access information. In addition, transgender people face documented difficulties in accessing health care systems, including lack of knowledge among professionals and discrimination. The objective of this study is to report on the diversity of practices and issues related to the impact of transition on sexuality. It is conducted in a participatory manner, under the direction of a transgender person and in connection with the community. <h3>Methods</h3> A quantitative content analysis was performed on a pool of most relevant threads and comments about the topic "asktransgender" on Reddit. In accordance with the participatory approach, the relevant threads have been selected by two researchers, one of whom is transgender. Corpus analysis techniques were used to highlight the potential impacts of transition on sexuality and the diversity of practices. Secondly, the results were analyzed by gender and experience of transition. <h3>w?>Results</h3> Reddit is mostly used by transgender people asking for advice to other users about behavioral and hormonal impact of gender transition, as well as sexual practices outside of gender binarity. The results show a significant gap between research evidence and the needs of those involved. Social exclusion and fear of violence appear as central aspects of actual or anticipated sexual experiences. <h3>Conclusions</h3> There is an important need to develop research and clinical approaches to support transgender people in maintaining and developing positive sexuality. This field largely questions the established boundaries between normal and pathological and raises epistemic questions about the sexological approach and more broadly about the Western social conception of gender and its impact on sexuality. <h3>Conflicts of Interest</h3> For this presentation, the authors declare having no conflict of interest.

"She is the one who knows": A qualitative exploration of oral and injectable PrEP as part of a community empowerment approach to HIV prevention among female sex workers in the Dominican Republic and Tanzania.

Despite documented interest among female sex workers (FSW), uptake of oral pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention has been low. Recent trials and regulatory approval of long-acting injectable (LAI) PrEP offer new hope for the potential of this biomedical intervention. We examined FSW's PrEP-related interest and preferences regarding both oral and LAI PrEP situating these dynamics within their specific social and occupational realities. We conducted this work using qualitative methods across two distinct contexts by conducting 40 in-depth interviews with FSW in Tanzania and the Dominican Republic. Textual data was coded using iterative thematic content analysis. Analytic summaries were developed and reviewed to identify recurring themes. We systematically organized themes within each country and then compared across settings. Women in both settings expressed strong interest in PrEP seeing it as an important option to protect themselves in their work. Most participants preferred LAI PrEP due to expectations of reduced stigma and concerns about daily pill adherence and side effects. Occupational factors such as alcohol use, overnight dates with clients, and fear of violence from clients were identified as barriers to daily oral PrEP. LAI PrEP was seen as having the potential to reduce stress related to oral PrEP. Women who preferred pills discussed fear of needles, skepticism about the injections, and others relayed that taking a daily pill would not be challenging for them. There was a pre-dominant sentiment that women know best whether they are better suited for oral or LAI PrEP. Participants stressed the importance of FSW understanding both options to ensure informed decision-making around PrEP and described community-led peer education as key to delivering trusted information. Community empowerment approaches led by FSW which address structural and psychosocial constraints and promote safe work environments may facilitate equitable access and uptake of PrEP among FSW across settings.

Post break-up stalking: Police-officers'perceptions.

Stalking is characterized by persistent unwanted behaviors and can disrupt the lives of victims. Its prevalence has been increasing with time. Due to therecent criminalization of stalking in Portugal and its being an understudied phenomenon, the objective of this study is to assess the perceptions of police officers (n=1212) about stalking post intimate relationship breakup. We developed an adaptation of the questionnaire "Reasonable Perceptions of Stalking", using vignettes that describe stalking scenarios with the manipulation of severity, and victim and perpetrator sex. The main effects of severity, as well as the victim and the perpetrator's sex, were significant intrasubject variables in the perceptions of stalking and its severity, criminality, victim alert, fear of violence, victim-blaming, and the need for intervention. Participants' sex, previous training, and personal and/or professional experience with stalking were also significant variables concerning participants' perceptions. Our findings show that gender stereotypes are still perpetuated and have important implications for police officer training and intervention.