Female Abusers Research Articles

Brief Report: Child Sexual Abuse Inquiries in Hong Kong, 2000–2017

Community advocates in Hong Kong found no formal curriculum on child sexual abuse (CSA) prevention and started a newspaper column in 1999 to disseminate public education. This study analyzed the inquiries sent to this prevention column from 2000 to 2017. Content analysis found that, in 515 inquiries, 170 (33%) reported CSA incidents. Based on age information in 147 incidents, female abusers (n = 28) targeted victims averaging 6.48 years of age, which is 3.08 years significantly younger than those abused by male abusers (n = 119). In 82 inquiries with abusers’ age information, 42 minor “abusers” were reported. Early sex education is highly recommended.

Out of Africa: Students' reflections on the personal and professional impact of volunteering

The Nursing and Midwifery Council (2009) states that student midwives should seek opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge base. In the summer of 2018, two student midwives from the University of Northampton independently researched and signed up to a 2-week overseas mission trip to Kenya, with the aim of immersing themselves in a different culture to gain new knowledge and develop transferable skills to embed into their practice in the UK. Charlotte Ames and Adelle Boughen also visited a number of projects around the region supporting girls and young women who have fled their homes to escape injustices such as underage marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and domestic abuse. Hearing the young women's stories of bravery, resilience and optimism have had a profound effect on both Charlotte and Adelle, providing them with a new understanding of the term ‘with woman’ and influencing their future practice.

설화 속 아내 이야기를 통해 본 폭력과 혐오의 문제, 그리고 그 너머에 대한 고찰 - [선비들의 아내 자랑], [남편과 자고도 죽은 헛열녀], [아내를 뺏으려고 도적이 된 친구]를 중심으로

설화 속 아내 이야기를 통해 본 폭력과 혐오의 문제, 그리고 그 너머에 대한 고찰 - [선비들의 아내 자랑], [남편과 자고도 죽은 헛열녀], [아내를 뺏으려고 도적이 된 친구]를 중심으로

Sex Differences in the Physiological Response to Ethanol of Rat Basolateral Amygdala Neurons Following Single-Prolonged Stress.

Females are more likely to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than males. Also, symptoms of PTSD frequently precede alcohol abuse in females. Stressful, threat-related stimuli are evaluated by the amygdala, which is critical for establishing the emotional salience of environmental stimuli. Ethanol and stress have been shown to modify amygdala excitability, but effects of acute ethanol on neurons of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) in both males and females exposed to stress is unknown. The purpose of this study is to determine stress-induced changes in membrane properties of BLA neurons and to determine how ethanol modulates these changes in male and female rats. Whole-cell recordings were obtained from BLA neurons of both male and female rats exposed to single-prolonged stress (SPS). Neuronal excitability, quantified as the number of action potentials, was determined in current clamp mode by applying a series of depolarizing current steps. Hyperpolarization-activated current (Ih) was elicited in voltage clamp. Excitability and Ih amplitude were determined before and during the superfusion of ethanol (EtOH; 30 mM) in BLA neurons from SPS-treated male and female rats. SPS alone did not alter the firing properties of BLA neurons from either males or females. However, following SPS, BLA neurons from males and females respond differently to ethanol. Superfusion of EtOH (30 mM) inhibited spike firing in BLA neurons from rats exposed to SPS, and EtOH-induced inhibition was greater in females than in males exposed to stress. Also, EtOH (30 mM) selectively decreased Ih amplitude in BLA neurons from SPS-treated male rats from 171 ± 46 pA in (pre-EtOH) control to 53 ± 51 pA in the presence of EtOH (30 mM). EtOH did not reduce Ih in BLA neurons from SPS-treated females. Together, these suggest important sex differences in the physiological responses to EtOH in stress disorders such as PTSD, that have high comorbidity with alcohol use disorders.

Substance Abuse Among Medical Students – A Survey in a Medical College in Nepal

Introduction: Substance use among medical students could impact on the conduct, safety and efficiency of future doctors. Despite serious medico legal, ethical and political ramifications, there is paucity of published article on the subject, especially from Nepal.
 Objective: We aimed to explore the patterns of substance abuse among a sample of Medical students from Nepalgunj Medical College.
 Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey of medical students from Nepalgunj Medical College was done using a brief questionnaire schedule to identify current and lifetime use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis and abuse of other drugs. An operational definition of substance abuse was made, 28 % of students fell within that criterion.
 Results: Male substance abusers 81% exceeded female abusers 19%. Substances most commonly abused were alcohol 60%, minor tranquilizers 48%, and tobacco 35%, and only 11% abused cannabis. While most students were multidrug users, there was a low frequency of daily drug use. A general lifetime (occasional use) prevalence of substance use of 56% was found. Drugs consumed on a daily basis were alcohol 2% and tobacco 6%. The prevalence of drug use was highest among the fourth and final year students.
 Conclusion: The majority of students were occasional abusers; there was no evidence of physical dependence. This study provides a snapshot of the problem of substance use among medical students of Nepal. Further research is needed to study nationwide patterns of substance use among medical students, and to identify important determinants and reinforce preventive measures. Strategies need to be developed for supporting students with a substance use problem.

The Effects of Gender-Role Traditionality and Gender of Abuser on Attitudes Toward Intimate Partner Violence and Perceived Body Size of the Victim and Abuser

The current study examined college students’ perceptions of male victims compared to female victims in a female abuser–male victim scenario and a male abuser–female victim scenario. Victim blaming, minimization of the seriousness of the abuse, and body size perceptions and how gender-role traditionality (GRT) affects these perceptions were investigated. Male victims were blamed as the victim more and their abuse was minimized more compared to female victims. These differences were moderated by GRT. Only the female victim and abuser varied in body size perceptions, and these perceptions were also moderated by GRT. Males blamed the victim and minimized the seriousness of the abuse more than did females. Implications for intervention programs and new directions in IPV research are discussed.

Psychosocial interventions for sexual dysfunction in addictive disorders.

Substance abuse and addictive disorders are very common in the community. Patients with addictive disorders frequently experience sexual dysfunctions and chronic use of substances tends to adversely affect all stages of sexual response, in both male and female abusers. An important aspect in the management of sexual dysfunction is psychosocial intervention. In addictive disorders, sexual dysfunction is of high clinical relevance, as it often leads to treatment non adherence and sexual or marital disharmony. Instead of a disease-centred approach, a couple and relationship centred approach of management is desirable. A detailed history about the sexual dysfunction, the addictive disorder and enquiry into various psychosocial aspects is mandatory for adequate management of the same. Sexual therapy, behavioural techniques, systematic sensitization and desensitization are some of the techniques used in the management of sexual dysfunction in addictive disorders. The assessment and treatment need to be tailored depending upon the various psychosocial aspects of the individual.

Perceptions of Psychological Abuse: The Role of Perpetrator Gender, Victim's Response, and Sexism.

It is commonly assumed that male abuse is more damaging than female abuse, just as it previously has been assumed that physical abuse is more harmful than psychological abuse. We sought to examine gender assumptions given that they may cause people to overlook the harm that men experience with a psychologically abusive partner. The current experiment compared perceptions of male and female perpetrators of psychological abuse, and examined whether gendered perceptions were affected by sexist beliefs or participants' own sex. The experiment also explored the effect of the victim's response to a perpetrator's abuse. College participants (N = 195) read a scenario depicting a hypothetical marital conflict that manipulated the sex of the perpetrator, the level of abuse (abuse or no abuse), and whether the victim did or did not respond with some aggression. In scenarios that featured abuse (relative to no-abuse conditions), a male perpetrator was consistently perceived more harshly than a female perpetrator. Participant sex and sexism did not moderate this gender-based perception. Varying the victim's response in the scenario affected perceptions more in the no-abuse condition than in the abuse condition. The findings are discussed in terms of robust gender assumptions and the difficulties in challenging such assumptions.

Childhood Abuse, Intrapersonal Strength, and Suicide Resilience in African American Females who Attempted Suicide

There is a significant association between childhood abuse and suicidal behavior in low-income African American women with a recent suicide attempt. Increasingly, empirical focus is shifting toward including suicide resilience, which mitigates against suicidal behavior. This cross-sectional study examines childhood abuse, intrapersonal strengths, and suicide resilience in 121 African American women, average age of 36.07 years (SD = 11.03) with recent exposure to intimate partner violence and a suicide attempt. To address the hypothesis that childhood abuse will be negatively related to suicide resilience and that this effect will be mediated by intrapersonal strengths that serve as protective factors, structural equation modeling examined the relations among three latent variables: childhood abuse (measured via physical, sexual, and emotional abuse), intrapersonal strengths (assessed by self-efficacy and spiritual well-being), and suicide resilience (operationalized via the three components of suicide resilience—internal protective, external protective, and emotional stability). The initial measurement model and the structural model both indicated excellent fit. Results indicated that childhood abuse was negatively associated with intrapersonal strengths and suicide resilience, intrapersonal strengths were positively associated with suicide resilience, and intrapersonal strengths fully mediated the association between childhood abuse and suicide resilience. Thus, the results suggest a positive and protective influence of intrapersonal strengths on suicide resilience in the face of childhood abuse in suicidal African American women. The clinical implications and directions for future research that emerge from these findings are discussed.

From Shapeshifter to Lava Monster: Gender Stereotypes in Disney’s Moana

Moana (2016) continues a tradition of Disney princess movies that perpetuate gender stereotypes. The movie contains the usual Electral undercurrent, with Moana seeking to prove her independence to her overprotective father. Moana’s partner in her adventures, Maui, is overtly hypermasculine, a trait epitomized by a phallic fishhook that is critical to his identity. Maui’s struggles with shapeshifting also reflect male anxieties about performing masculinity. Maui violates the Mother Island, first by entering her cave and then by using his fishhook to rob her of her fertility. The repercussions of this act are the basis of the plot: the Mother Island abandons her form as a nurturing, youthful female (Te Fiti) focused on creation to become a vengeful lava monster (Te Kā). At the end, Moana successfully urges Te Kā to get in touch with her true self, a brave but simple act that is sufficient to bring back Te Fiti, a passive, smiling green goddess. The association of youthful, fertile females with good and witch-like infertile females with evil implies that women’s worth and well-being are dependent upon their procreative function. Stereotypical gender tropes that also include female abuse of power and a narrow conception of masculinity merit analysis in order to further progress in recognizing and addressing patterns of gender hegemony in popular Disney films.

Advocacy Journey Promoting Child Sexual Abuse Prevention in Hong Kong

ABSTRACTIn a country without a mandatory child abuse reporting system, advocacy for child welfare law can be a tedious and difficult process. This article documents a 10-year advocacy journey based on the capacity-building concept in social sustainability theory which aims to: raise public awareness of child sexual abuse, provide an idea for branding an inquiry column, and connect advocacy efforts to law reforms. Over the past decade in Hong Kong, a total of 336 public inquiries were anonymously sent to Wu Miu Column and published in three local major newspapers. Among these inquiries, 131 inquiries involved child sexual abuse that the “affected individuals” were molested in school or at home and knew the abusers but did not report their cases to child protection services. Inquirers reported more male than female abusers. Proportionally and significantly, female abusers tended to abuse younger children, compared to male abusers who tended to abuse older children. Many abusers were minors who abused younger children, which explains people’s reluctance to report the abuse to child protection services. The discovery of this underage phenomenon motivated child advocates to challenge the common law presumption that a boy under the age of 14 is incapable of sexual intercourse. Social workers in this advocacy journey must sustain continuous efforts to prevent youth from becoming future perpetrators.

Unprotected In an Islamic Country; Experiences of Childhood Sexual Abuse among Pakistani Women

This study qualitatively explored the experiences of childhood sexual abuse in females. Semi structured interviews with open ended questions were used to obtain in-depth information about various aspects of this experience, ; perpetrator characteristics, type and frequency of abuse, victim’s response/reaction, reporting to family or other adults, treatment seeking treatment and perceived effects on mental and physical health. The participants were approached through snow ball sampling. 5 females of different backgrounds and ages who gave consent to share personal information were interviewed. Their verbatim were transcribed and content analyzed. The results of the interviews after content analyzed were that their current age, ages at time of abuse, reporting experiences, relationship with abuser, psychological reactions and counseling sought of or not. To lend support to findings of first study, as a next step, three anonymous stories were selected from the internet and content analyzed. The findings of the study revealed that incident of abuse at home have higher frequency then outside. Three out of five participants were abused by their close relatives, 2 were abused by family friends. Most common form was kissing, touching body parts and showing pornography. The reaction of the family mostly was not supportive. The emotional effects were: sad mood and feeling of unhappy and isolation, worthless and crying episodes. Physical effects ere palpitation, trembling and increasing heart beat immediately after abuse. Some victims of sexual abuse felt sexual repulsion and have difficulty accepting closeness to men. 3 out of 5 participants sought counseling but 1 of 3 participants took counseling after very long time. Two women reported taking sleeping pills for the quality of sleep. So, collectively, from interviews and stories, it was found that the impact of sexual abuse remains same across cultures.

Age, Low Education and Unemployment are Associated with Intimate Partner Violence among Women

Objective: To describe the prevalence of violence in women visiting Puskesmas Kecamatan Makassar by their partners and their association with socio-demographic factors and gender role perception. Methods: A cross-sectional study using validated WHO questionnaires was conducted on 141 women visiting Puskesmas Makassar in December 2011 to identify presence of physical, sexual or emotional abuse and women’s perception of gender roles. The data was then analyzed using a combination of univariate analysis and Chisquare test. Results: Our study showed that the lifetime prevalence of female abuse in Puskesmas Makassar population was 21.3%, with physical violence constituting 5.7%, sexual violence 6.4% and emotional abuse 17.0% among the subjects. Violence was associated with the wife’s demographic factor (age >35 years, education 35 years and unemployment). Women’s perception of gender role was not significantly associated with prevalence of abuse Conclusion: A woman’s age and her partner’s age of more than 35 years, an education level of less than nine years, and unemployed partner, were all significantly associated with the lifetime prevalence of female abuse, and was not consistent with gender role beliefs. Keywords: gender role perception, intimate partner violence, Puskesmas Makassar

An Emerging Risk Factor of Sexual Abuse: The Use of Smartphone Dating Applications.

Smartphone dating applications (apps) have become popular in recent years. However, the association between the use of dating apps and sexual abuse remains uninvestigated. The aim of this study was to examine the association between using dating apps and the sexual abuse of males and females. Six hundred sixty-six participants were recruited in four universities in Hong Kong in 2015. Overall, the 1-year prevalence of sexual abuse was 12.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: [9.8, 14.9]) and the lifetime prevalence was 14.2% (95% CI: [11.5, 16.9]). Multiple logistic regressions found that users of dating apps (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.13, p < .05) were more likely to be sexually abused in the past year than non-users. Using dating apps was also a risk factor of lifetime sexual abuse (aOR: 1.83, p < .05). Our findings suggest that app users should deserve more attention in risk assessment, risk stratification, and sexual abuse prevention programs.

Gender Differences in Psychosocial Predictors of Attitudes Toward Reporting Child Sexual Abuse in the United Kingdom

ABSTRACTThere is a dearth of research investigating psychosocial correlates of attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse in males and females and a lack of such studies drawing on participants from the United Kingdom. Therefore, the main objective of this article is to examine gender differences in social and psychological predictors of attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse. Participants drawn from the United Kingdom general population were recruited via an opportunistic sampling method. Cross-sectional design using a self-report questionnaire was utilized. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that social support, masculinity, and age form significant associations with attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse in females (total variance explained by the model was 25%). In the male sample, the only significant predictor of attitudes toward reporting child sexual abuse was interpersonal manipulation (total variance explained by the model was 9%). This study provides an important insight into psychosocial barriers and facilitators to reporting child sexual abuse. Such knowledge is crucial for the early detection and prevention of abuse.

Safety in Online Research With Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence: What About the Children?

The significant co-occurrence between men’s violence against female partners and child abuse and neglect is well documented. It is less clear how child safety should be managed in family violence research with their mothers. This issue is salient to isafe, a New Zealand–based Internet intervention study testing improvement in safety decisions and mental health outcomes for women experiencing intimate partner violence. This article discusses the legislative, professional, and ethical considerations that contribute to the development of the child safety protocols and discusses the development of the isafe protocol. Hypothetical scenarios of the application of the isafe protocol are used to illuminate the issues and provide a basis for future discussion.

Blood thiamine, zinc, selenium, lead and oxidative stress in a population of male and female alcoholics: clinical evidence and gender differences.

Long term alcohol abuse is associated with deficiencies in essential nutrients and minerals that can cause a variety of medical consequences including accumulation of toxic metals. The aim of this research is to get evidence-based data to evaluate alcohol damage and to optimize treatment. Thiamine and thiamine diphosphate (T/TDP), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), lead (Pb) and oxidative stress in terms of reactive oxygen metabolites (ROMs) were examined in blood samples from 58 alcohol dependent patients (17 females and 41 males). T/TDP concentration in alcoholics resulted significantly lower than controls (p < 0.005) for both sexes. Serum Zn and Se did not significantly differ from reference values. Levels of blood Pb in alcoholics resulted significantly higher (p < 0.0001) than Italian reference values and were higher in females than in males. ROMs concentration was significantly higher than healthy population only in female abusers (p = 0.005). Alcoholics show a significant increase in blood oxidative stress and Pb and decrease in thiamine. Impairment occurs mainly in female abusers confirming a gender specific vulnerability.

‘It’s deemed unmanly’: men’s experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV)

This study investigated male victims’ experiences of female-perpetrated intimate partner violence (IPV). Seven participants were interviewed and the data were analysed using Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Four essential themes were revealed. (1) Participants identified themselves as victims of abuse (experiencing physical and multiple forms of abuse). (2) They felt they were victims of controlling abuse (through the use of children and isolation). (3) Respondents experienced manipulation through gendered stereotypes of abuse. (4) They felt it was different because they were men. The participants within this study were often deeply affected by the abuse they had experienced. Previous research has found male abusers use societal structures and norms to enable their abuse. The participants in this study felt that their female abusers were equally adept doing this, although the mechanisms were different. Further research should look at the processes by which abusers of either gender control and abuse their victims.

Risk of sexual abuse among ecstasy users differs by gender and other drug use

Aims: Ecstasy users espouse PLUR (peace, love, unity, and respect) and may have lower risk for sexual abuse than other drug users. We hypothesized that among ecstasy and marijuana users, those who use other illicit drugs have a higher likelihood of experiencing lifetime sexual abuse, especially females. Methods: Data come from the Tri-City study which recruited 644 recent ecstasy users, 16–59 years of age, from three sites in Florida,Missouri and Australia. Self-reported lifetime alcohol,marijuana, and other drug use (cocaine, heroin, sedatives, stimulants, opium, PCP, inhalants, hallucinogens, and steroids), lifetime sexual abuse, sex with a same sex partner, exchanging club drugs for sex, and number of sex partners were among the variables assessed. Analysis was restricted to 18–35 year olds (n=608) to reduce variance in years at risk. Results: Overall, 38% endorsed ecstasy and marijuana use only, of which 12% reported lifetime sexual abuse. Among 62% who endorsed additional illicit drug use, 20% reported lifetime sexual abuse. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of lifetime sexual abuse for females, those havingmore sex partners, and same sex partners, and for those who used additional drugs. Separate logistic regression analyses showed that among women, having 3 or more sex partners versus less than 3 increased the odds of reporting sexual abuse (OR=3.0). Among men, additional drug use (OR=4.1) and exchanging club drugs for sex (OR=3.2) increased the risk of sexual abuse compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: The risk of lifetime sexual abuse is higher among ecstasy and marijuana users who use additional illicit drugs than ecstasy and marijuana users alone. Gender differences in lifetime sexual abuse indicate a possible need for gender-specific interventions to reduce the riskof sexual abuseamongecstasyusers. Further studies are needed to assess temporality. Financial support: NIDA R01 DA-14854 (Cottler, PI).

The acquisition of coping skills from computerized cognitive behavioral therapy for substance use disorders: It's all where you start

Aims: Ecstasy users espouse PLUR (peace, love, unity, and respect) and may have lower risk for sexual abuse than other drug users. We hypothesized that among ecstasy and marijuana users, those who use other illicit drugs have a higher likelihood of experiencing lifetime sexual abuse, especially females. Methods: Data come from the Tri-City study which recruited 644 recent ecstasy users, 16–59 years of age, from three sites in Florida,Missouri and Australia. Self-reported lifetime alcohol,marijuana, and other drug use (cocaine, heroin, sedatives, stimulants, opium, PCP, inhalants, hallucinogens, and steroids), lifetime sexual abuse, sex with a same sex partner, exchanging club drugs for sex, and number of sex partners were among the variables assessed. Analysis was restricted to 18–35 year olds (n=608) to reduce variance in years at risk. Results: Overall, 38% endorsed ecstasy and marijuana use only, of which 12% reported lifetime sexual abuse. Among 62% who endorsed additional illicit drug use, 20% reported lifetime sexual abuse. Multivariate analysis showed an increased risk of lifetime sexual abuse for females, those havingmore sex partners, and same sex partners, and for those who used additional drugs. Separate logistic regression analyses showed that among women, having 3 or more sex partners versus less than 3 increased the odds of reporting sexual abuse (OR=3.0). Among men, additional drug use (OR=4.1) and exchanging club drugs for sex (OR=3.2) increased the risk of sexual abuse compared to their counterparts. Conclusions: The risk of lifetime sexual abuse is higher among ecstasy and marijuana users who use additional illicit drugs than ecstasy and marijuana users alone. Gender differences in lifetime sexual abuse indicate a possible need for gender-specific interventions to reduce the riskof sexual abuseamongecstasyusers. Further studies are needed to assess temporality. Financial support: NIDA R01 DA-14854 (Cottler, PI).