Female Victims Of Intimate Partner Violence Research Articles

The Exosystem Impact: An Analysis of Male- and Female Physical Intimate Partner Violence Victimization in Heterosexual Relationships.

An increasing body of sociological research explores the complexity of intimate partner violence (IPV) in heterosexual relationships. However, early research in this area concentrated exclusively on male perpetration, thereby necessitating a better understanding of the contexts behind female-perpetrated and bidirectional IPV. Using the two most recent cycles of the Canadian General Social Survey (2014 and 2019), our study employs a multinomial logistic regression model to examine the prevalence and severity of female and male physical IPV victimization among a large sample of married and common-law heterosexual couples. Framing our analysis through one concentric level of Dutton's (1990) nested ecological model, the exosystem, we aim to understand whether these indicators serve as protective markers against severe and nonsevere physical IPV. We investigate the impact of eight exosystem indicators (financial stress, number of children, length of relationship, religiosity, employment, social support, education, and income). Our findings suggest that social support, employment, and household income serve as protective markers against male and female physical IPV victimization. Other protective factors include the length of the relationship and the partner's religiosity for female-perpetrated violence. At the same time, the presence of children in the household reduces the likelihood of male-perpetrated IPV despite being a risk marker for female perpetration. Risk factors for both men and women include education and their partner's employment. Future research should undertake a more in-depth exploration of the impact of exosystem and macrosystem factors on instances of IPV to generate a better understanding of predictive and preventative measures.

Factors associated with non-help-seeking among women victims of physical or sexual intimate partner violence in Peru: Findings from the National Demographic and Family Health Survey, 2017 to 2019.

To evaluate the factors associated with non-help-seeking in victims of physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) in Peru. This was an analytical cross-sectional study of 3-year data from the Peruvian Demographic and Health Survey. The sample comprised women aged 18 to 49 who had experienced physical or sexual IPV at some time in their lives. The dependent variable was non-help-seeking after suffering physical or sexual IPV. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR) with their 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the factors associated with non-help-seeking. In addition, a sensitivity analysis was carried out in which only women who suffered physical or sexual IPV in the last year were considered. Data from 15,265 female victims of physical or sexual IPV were analyzed. It was found that 57.4% did not seek help after suffering physical or sexual IPV. The main reasons for non-help-seeking included thinking it was unnecessary (42.3%) and embarrassment (14.9%). Age between 30 and 49 years old (PRa:1.15; 95%CI [1.06, 1.25]) and residing in a rural area (PRa:1.07; 95%CI [1.00, 1.13]) were associated with a higher probability of non-help-seeking. On the other hand, having a secondary education level (PRa:0.91; 95% CI [0.86, 0.97]) or higher (PRa:0.90; 95%CI [0.82, 0.99]), having a partner who drinks alcohol (PRa:0.94; 95%CI [0.89, 0.99]), having experienced physical or sexual IPV during a pregnancy (PRa:0.87; 95%CI [0.80, 0.94]), and having experienced moderate (PRa:0.81; 95%CI [0.76, 0.86]), or severe physical or sexual IPV (PRa:0.74; 95%CI [0.67, 0.82]), were associated with a lower probability of non-help-seeking. These associations were consistent in the sensitivity analysis. Half of the women who experience physical or sexual IPV do not seek help. There are sociodemographic factors related to this non-seeking of help that are useful for identifying and prioritizing interventions to reduce IPV and improve the health status of women.

Resilience and Strategic Emotional Intelligence as Mediators between the Disconnection and Rejection Domain and Negative Parenting among Female Intimate Partner Violence Victims.

(1) Background: The exposure of children to intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with a wide range of negative effects on children's development, where as parenting practice is considered to be one of the key factors mediating and mitigating this. Studies have found mixed results regarding the impact of female IPV victimization on maternal parenting practice; however, the most frequently tested hypothesis suggests that the cumulative stress of the IPV experience may emotionally deregulate the mother, contributing to an increased risk of neglected and abusive parenting practices. Little is still known about the factors determining the observed differences in maternal parenting practices among IPV victims. Thus, in our study, we use mediation models to provide preliminary results exploring the role of resilience and strategic emotional intelligence in the relationship between women's disconnection and rejection (D/R) schema domain and maternal parenting practice among IPV victims. (2) Methods: A total of 48 female survivors of IPV and 48 age-matched women with no prior experience of IPV completed a set of tests examining parenting practices, the D/R domain, resilience and emotional intelligence. (3) Results: IPV victimization was associated with significantly higher rates of negative parenting practices. The D/R domain was found to be a significant predictor of parental autonomy attitude and level of parental competence, and these relationships were fully mediated by resilience with strategic emotional intelligence and resilience, respectively. (4) Conclusions: The results shed light on the under-researched relationship between early maladaptive schemas and parenting behavior in the context of IPV. The implications for clinical practice and further research can be drawn based on the study findings.

Social Support Seeking Among Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Lived Experiences

Abstract Purpose Intimate partner violence against women is a major source of morbidity and mortality among women worldwide. In this study, 131 testimonies of female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) are examined to study the factors associated with victims’ decision to seek social support (formal and informal). Method Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female victims of IPV in Spain. The IRaMuTeQ 7 software was used to analyze the discourses. A total of 10,845 words with 1183 different forms were examined. Results The analysis identified six clusters. Cluster 1 (18% of the total content) reflects the emotional component of aggression (fear of death). Cluster 2 (13.1%) describes psychological aggression (threatening), and Cluster 3 (17.2%) refers to the use of power within relationships (control). Cluster 6 (13.8%) includes different types of physical aggression (hitting); and Clusters 4 (21%) and 5 (16.9%) refer to formal (judging) and informal (friends) social support. Conclusions Results indicated a strong association between emotions (e.g., fear of dying) and physical and psychological aggression. Non-fatal strangulation represented an extreme form of physical violence that was used to control women increasing the risk of violence becoming lethal. Women tended to seek more support when the violence increased, and they perceived a greater risk to their children. There was an association between suffering violence, power, control, and seeking formal and informal social support. Results have significant implications to interrupt coercive control processes and to motivate help seeking behaviors in victims of IPV.

Cognitive-Affective Risk Factors of Female Intimate Partner Violence Victimization: The Role of Early Maladaptive Schemas and Strategic Emotional Intelligence.

(1) Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive and destructive phenomenon. There is a need for an integrated and comprehensive approach to IPV in order to align prevention, support and treatment. Still little is known about the cognitive and affective markers of IPV that are modifiable. Such knowledge, therefore, can support the effectiveness of prevention and intervention programs. In this study, we put forward a hypothesis that, after accounting for the influence of sociodemographic variables, the domains of early maladaptive schemas (EMS) and strategic emotional intelligence would provide additional information for predicting female IPV victimization. (2) Methods: 48 female survivors of IPV and 48 age-matched women with no prior experience of IPV completed the Young Schema Questionnaire-Short Form 3 (YSQ-SF3) and The Emotional Understanding Test (TRE). (3) Results: The domains of disconnection and rejection and impaired limits were significant predictors of IPV victimization, but the results did not support the predictive value for impaired autonomy, other-directedness and strategic emotional intelligence. (4) Conclusions: Our findings add to the emerging evidence of a link between disconnection and rejection domain and IPV victimization. As a consequence, maladaptive beliefs that interpersonal relationships are unstable and insecure and expose to the risk of humiliation and harm, and that basic emotional needs cannot be satisfied in close relationships, are associated with a higher risk of intimate partner violence. In this context, schema therapy appears to be a promising support for IPV victims.

Formal and Informal Services Used by Women Who Suffer Intimate Partner Violence in Spain.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important public health problem. Female victims of IPV do not always use the institutional resources available to them. We conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the Spanish 2014 Macro-Survey on Violence Against Women. The findings show that 15% of the survey participants suffered from IPV in the last year. The factors associated with a higher probability of suffering IPV are being of non-Spanish nationality, being a student, having a low-educational level, having no income, being the household head, and not having a current partner. Regarding the resources used by women subjected to IPV, almost half resorted to informal sources, such as female friends and/or their own mothers. The use of formal resources was low. Therefore, IPV continues to be a problem in Spain that seems to remain in the private domain. Consequently, it is necessary to increase the availability of and access to legal resources.

Comparative analysis of the pattern of intimate partner violence against women admitted to a tertiary hospital in Sri Lanka during and after the periods of COVID-19 lockdown.

Lockdown measures during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in restrictions on people's ability to move, allowing more time for intimate partners-this increased opportunities for intimate partner violence (IPV), especially against women. The study aimed to evaluate the characteristics of IPV against women during and after the lockdown period.A prospective, descriptive study on female victims of IPV presented from March 2020 to February 2022 to a leading teaching hospital in Sri Lanka.Out of the 876 patients admitted during the period, details could be obtained from 300 victims. Ninety-four (31%) were during the lockdown, while 206 (69%) were post-lockdown admissions. The mean age of the victim in both groups was 33.5years. Even though physical abuse was high throughout, the prevalence of sexual abuse was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) during the lockdown period (31.9%) than during the post-lockdown period (3.4%). Financial problems (46.6%), followed by substance abuse (35%), were the most common risk factors during the post-lockdown period, while morbid jealousy (34%) was the most common risk factor, followed by extramarital relationships (33%) during the lockdown. Psychological consequences due to IPV were observed in 76.5% of victims during the lockdown period and only 11.2% during the post-lockdown period.The prolonged lockdown has significantly influenced mental and sexual health, changing the pattern of IPV against women. The need to have services to ensure the mental and sexual well-being of the community was highlighted.

Battered Body, Battered Self: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Embodiment-Related Impairments of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

ABSTRACT Intimate-partner violence (IPV) is a major threat to women’s lives, with an impact on their physical and mental health, often causing trauma symptoms. The IPV consequences for embodiment-related features that are detrimental to the quality of life and identity structure of victims are understudied. With this study, we aim to examine embodiment-related functions and physical and mental health of women with and without a history of IPV. A total of 47 female victims of IPV (mean age 41.3 ± 11.5 years) living in shelters and 44 non-victims (mean age 43.1 ± 12.5 years) living in the community participated in this cross-sectional study. We used a self-administered survey to assess the prevalence of mental health symptoms, somatic symptoms, and behaviors of self-injury and suicidal ideation. The levels of interoception, movement imagery, body ownership, and bodily dissociation were assessed through tasks and questionnaires, controlling for mental health covariates. Women victims of IPV showed a greater prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (p = .014), depression (p < .001), somatic symptoms (p = .006), self-injury behaviors (p < .001), and suicidal ideation (p < .001). Also, IPV victims showed higher levels of body disownership (p = .025) and bodily dissociation (p < .001) than non-victims, controlling for the presence of PTSD and depression. Our study shows strong evidence of the link between IPV and impairments in embodiment, namely the sense of body ownership and the disconnection from the body. Intimate-partner violence victims need embodiment-informed care to be parallel to the attention given to mental health and somatic symptoms.

Saliva as a diagnostic tool to measure polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon exposure in dental patients exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV)

BackgroundSocial habits such as tobacco use, alcohol consumption, and chemically contaminated diet contribute to poor oral health. Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health epidemic which can exacerbate the prevalence of health conditions affecting a victim's lifespan. This study investigates using saliva as a biomarker for detecting levels of benzo(a)pyrene [B(a)P]; a toxicant present in cigarette smoke and barbecued meat in a population of IPV + female patients. MethodsA cross-sectional IRB-approved study utilized 63 female participants (37 African Americans [AA], and 26 non-African Americans [NAA]), who provided consent for the study. Participants submitted samples of saliva, as well as questionnaires about demographics, health history, and a well-validated (IPV) screen. ResultsThe prevalence of IPV was greater in AA compared to NAA. While the concentrations of PAHs/B(a)P detected in saliva of IPV samples in NAA were generally within the range of B(a)P reported for saliva from elsewhere, the concentrations were high in some IPV positive samples. Among the B(a)P metabolites, the concentrations of B(a)P 7,8-diol, B(a)P 3,6- and 6,12-dione metabolites were greater than the other metabolite in both AA and non-AA groups who were positive. ConclusionOur study supports the use of saliva as a potential “diagnostic rheostat” to identify toxicants that may exacerbate/precipitate systemic disease in female victims of IPV. In addition, our study is the first to report that IPV may precipitate the accumulation of B(a)P in oral cavity that can alter inflammatory cascades and increase risk of poor health outcomes in this population of patients.

Feel-Own-Move: a psychomotor therapy program for victims of intimate partner violence living in shelter homes. Feasibility and effects on mental health, bodily dissociation, and quality of life.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a worldwide concern, impacting victims' mental health, physical health, and quality of life. High rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety, bodily dissociation, and somatic symptoms have been found in victims of IPV, with an important impact on the chronicity of impairments and on the outcomes of psychological interventions. Therapeutic interventions available in shelter homes for victims are scarce in addressing their body-mind needs therefore asking for better empirical research. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and effects of Feel-Own-Move (FOM), an 8-week psychomotor therapy program for victims of IPV, on their mental health, levels of bodily dissociation, and general quality of life. A within-subject repeated measures design was used to evaluate the intervention effects, and feasibility results were analyzed. Seventeen women completed the program (mean age 42.8 years, range 21-64). Results showed a significant decrease in levels of bodily dissociation, with FOM having a large effect size. The intervention also had a large effect size at increasing the environment domain of quality of life, although no statistically significant differences were found. FOM ended with excellent rates of reach, adherence, acceptability, and satisfaction. A positive retention rate was also found. In conclusion, FOM seems to be a feasible psychomotor therapy intervention for female victims of IPV living in shelters. Importantly, this program showed to be effective in reducing bodily dissociation among participants, which is suggested to prospectively contribute to their mental health and quality of life.

Risk Factors of Female-Perpetrated Intimate Partner Violence among Hispanic Young Adults: Attachment Style, Emotional Dysregulation, and Negative Childhood Experiences.

This paper examined whether risk factors commonly associated with intimate partner violence (IPV) are associated with female-perpetrated physical IPV and female physical IPV victimization among young Hispanic women. It also examined how emotion dysregulation, impulsivity, and attachment style exacerbated these relationships. Furthermore, it investigates how these associations differ by the type of self-reported physical violence against their romantic partner. Based on the participants' self-reported physical violence, they were classified into one of four groups: nonviolent, victim-only, perpetrator-only, and bidirectionally violent. Bidirectional violence was by far the most common form of violence reported. Utilizing self-report data from 360 young Hispanic women, we used binary logistic regression to examine potential predictors of physical IPV perpetration and victimization for each group. Results demonstrated that women in the bidirectionally violent group reported the highest levels of perpetration and victimization. Parental violence victimization, witnessing interparental violence, insecure attachment styles, and emotional dysregulation predicted physical IPV perpetration and victimization. These findings emphasize the need for effective interventions that include both members of the dyad and acknowledge the impact of women's attachment style, emotion dysregulation, and adverse childhood experiences on female-perpetrated IPV and female IPV victimization.

Factors Associated with Coping Behaviors of Abused Women: Findings from the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey.

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an important public health problem. In Korea, limited studies have systematically investigated the coping strategies used by female IPV victims. Purpose: We identified the factors associated with abused women’s coping behaviors in South Korea. Methods: This descriptive, cross-sectional study comprises secondary data analysis using the 2016 Domestic Violence Survey; we examined women who experienced domestic violence (DV) in the last year: September to December 2016 (n = 309). Multinomial logistic regression analyses were conducted using an ecological model. Results: Over 50% responded they “did nothing”, while others “escaped the scene of violence or ran outside” and “became reciprocally violent” as coping behaviors sequentially. Compared to the women who “did nothing”, women who experienced feelings of intimidation or fear due to DV, were sexually abused, and suffered physical injury were 5.44, 3.22, and 3.02 times, respectively, more likely to escape from the scene than those who did not. Most showed passive coping behaviors. Relationship level factors, such as type of DV and physical injury, were significantly associated with the type of coping behavior. Conclusions: Our findings emphasize that multi-level comprehensive health programs are required, especially for women coping passively, to prevent and respond to DV.

Towards Dismantling Patriarchy in the Kibera Slum, Kenya: Narrative Accounts of Victims of Intimate Partner Violence

AbstractKibera is the largest informal settlement in Nairobi, Kenya, and Africa’s largest urban informal settlement. It is a community plagued by poverty and unemployment. In response to the social disorganization common to informal settlements, criminal activity is rampant, particularly in assault and sexual violence cases. Patriarchal beliefs fuel power imbalances which consequently perpetuate violence. Kenyan societies tend to be traditionally patriarchal and characterized by male privilege and female subservience. This article explores the narrative accounts of female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) to overcome patriarchy in Kibera, Kenya. Through a qualitative inquiry, 32 female victims of IPV were interviewed, and the data obtained were thematically analysed. The findings established that patriarchy is sustained in Kibera through control, dominance and violence. Additionally, salient partakers in advancing patriarchy are family structures and authorities. Moreover, strategies to dismantle patriarchy and IPV are proposed through these narrative accounts.

Psychological consequences and daily life adjustment for victims of intimate partner violence.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a distressing reality worldwide. Victims of IPV usually experience long-term mental health disorders and maladjustments in their daily lives. To examine the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in female victims of IPV that participated in a public mental health care program, and to analyze the relationships between the type of IPV exposure, its psychological consequences, and daily life adjustment. Up to 164 female victims of IPV referred by their primary care doctors to the Adult Mental Health Casntre of Sant Cugat del Vallès (Barcelona) between 2010 and 2016 were evaluated using several tests (Index of Spouse Abuse - ISA, Beck Depression Inventory - BDI-II, Sate-Trait Anxiety Inventory - STAI, the Maladjustment Scale - MS, and the Severity Symptom Scale for Post-traumatic Stress Disorder - EGS). Of the 164 referred women, 102 (62.2%) agreed to participate (mean age 44.98years, range 19-71) and 73% scored above the cut-off point in the physical IPV dimension (ISA). Moreover, 73% had depression symptoms, 77% trait anxiety, and 87% state anxiety altered scores. Prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder was also high (87%). IPV interfered significantly in all the aspects of the daily lives of 92% of the sample. The participants of the study experienced many psychological symptoms and a high level of interference with all aspects of their daily lives. These consequences were of similar magnitude amongst victims of emotional abuse compared to those who suffered physical violence.

Psychological and physical intimate partner violence and sexual risk behavior among South African couples: a dyadic analysis

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine intimate partner violence (IPV) as it relates to both partners’ perceptions of IPV and sexual behaviors, considering how their IPV might be interdependent within the relationship dynamics. The sample consisted of 713 female–male dyads in which women were pregnant and living with HIV in rural South Africa. Using an actor-partner interdependence model (APIM), we examined the interdependent influence of psychological and physical IPV on men by their female partners and psychological and physical IPV on women by their male partners on sexual risk behavior. The APIM model found there were no actor (b = −0.06, SE = 0.05, p = .221) or partner (b = −1.2, SE = 0.06, p = .056) effects contributing to protected sex by female IPV victimization. In contrast, significant actor (b = −0.28, SE = 0.06, p < .001) and partner (b = −0.29, SE = 0.06, p < .001) effects for protection were related to male IPV victimization. The model also found that the covariate of female HIV disclosure was associated with both male (b = 0.5, SE = 0.12, p < .001) and female protected sexual intercourse (b = 0.58, SE = 0.1, p < .001). Female HIV disclosure was related to an increased likelihood of protected sex by both male and female partners. As male partners reported more IPV victimization, the likelihood of protected sex between male and female partners decreased.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02085356.

Professionals' Perception of the Needs of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Vignette Study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a high prevalence and serious consequences for the wellbeing of the victims. The impact of partner violence and the behavior of female victims continue to be poorly understood. Recently, a number of reviews have enhanced the understanding of the needs of female victims of IPV. These reviews improve the evidence base relating to IPV needs assessment and can enhance effectiveness of service provision. The aim of the current study is to review the currency of the knowledge used by social workers working with victims of IPV. We used a qualitative design in which 23 social workers from 10 IPV teams were asked to react to vignettes. Participants were asked what they perceived to be essential for understanding the women's needs and determining an accurate treatment and guidance plan. Data were analyzed using open coding, followed by thematic analysis. Results indicate that in health services planning for battered women, service providers ask about the right domains, including: the characteristics of the relationship, social context, nature and pattern of abuse, characteristics of the female client, and-although to in a lesser degree-characteristics of the partner. Unfortunately, the sub themes within these domains are only partially considered, and sometimes superficially considered. Some topics that were not determined in the literature as relevant needs factors were seen as important by social workers, or assessed too soon, including the stay or leave question. These findings underline the realistic risk that staff members miss the actual reasons women stay with their partners or make certain choices in their help-seeking behavior. Incorrect needs assessments enhance the risk of female victims feeling unheard, and ineffective service provision, leading to care avoidance and low compliance with the services provided.

Embodiment-related risk factors for Posttraumatic Stress, Anxiety and Depression in female victims of intimate partner violence

ABSTRACT A central notion in the field of embodiment is that body sensorimotor processes and body mental representations influence emotion, cognition and behavior. By affecting the body, intimate partner violence (IPV) can leave victims with a fragile self, and significant physical and mental health problems. In this study, we aim to examine embodiment-related variables and mental health of female victims of IPV, as well as the impact of embodiment on mental health. A total of 38 female victims of IPV (mean age 40.3 ± 10.9 years) were recruited from shelters and the community. The study assessed the levels of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Anxiety and Depression, and abilities of Movement Imagery, Interoceptive Accuracy, Interoceptive Sensibility, Body Ownership and Bodily Dissociation. Univariate, bivariate and binary regression analysis were used. PTSD, Anxiety and Depression were highly prevalent among our sample, alongside with altered values of body ownership and interoception. All three mental health disorders were significantly correlated with interoceptive self-regulation, interoceptive trusting, and bodily dissociation. For this group of women, each unit rise in the bodily dissociation scale increased two and six times the risk for developing Depression and Anxiety, respectively. The embodiment of female victims of IPV is altered, and higher bodily dissociation can be a risk factor for the development of mental health problems. Restoration of embodiment-related functions could be important for the victims to overcome the negative effects of violent relationships.

Gambling-Related Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Grounded Theory Model of Individual and Relationship Determinants

This study aimed to examine how problem gambling interacts with gendered drivers of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women to exacerbate this violence. Interviews were conducted with 48 female victims of IPV linked to a male partner's gambling; 24 female victims of IPV linked to their own gambling; and 39 service practitioners from 25 services. Given limited research into gambling-related IPV, but a stronger theoretical base relating to IPV against women, this study used an adaptive grounded theory approach. It engaged with existing theories on gendered drivers of violence against women, while also developing a grounded theory model of individual and relationship determinants based on emergent findings from the data. Gambling-related IPV against women was found to occur in the context of expressions of gender inequality, including men's attitudes and behaviors that support violence and rigid gender expectations, controlling behaviors, and relationships condoning disrespect of women. Within this context, the characteristics of problem gambling and the financial, emotional and relationship stressors gambling causes intensified the IPV. Alcohol and other drug use, and co-morbid mental health issues, also interacted with gambling to intensify the IPV. Major implications. Reducing gambling-related IPV against women requires integrated, multi-level interventions that reduce both problem gambling and gendered drivers of violence. Gambling operators can act to reduce problem gambling and train staff in responding to IPV. Financial institutions can assist people to limit their gambling expenditure and families to protect their assets. Service providers can be alert to the co-occurrence of gambling problems and IPV and screen, treat, and refer clients appropriately. Public education can raise awareness that problem gambling increases the risk of IPV. Reducing gender inequality is also critical.

Intimate partner violence against women. Does violence decrease after the entry of the alleged offender into the criminal justice system?

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is simultaneously assumed as a serious crime and a major public health issue, having recurrences as one of its main characteristics and, consequently, re-entries of some alleged offenders in the criminal justice system (CJS). The main goal of this study is to assess if in cases of female victims of IPV, violence decreases after the first entry of the alleged offender in the CJS. A retrospective study was performed based on the analysis of police reports of alleged cases of IPV during a 4-year period. The final sample (n = 1 488) was divided into two groups according to the number of entries in the CJS (single or multiple) followed by a comparative approach. Results suggest that violence decreases after the first entry of alleged offenders in the CJS. Re-entries were found in only 15.5% of the cases but they were accountable for 3.3 times more crimes on average. Besides, victims of recidivism presented more injuries and required more medical care. Thus, a small group of alleged offenders seems to be more violent and accountable for most of the IPV crimes registered in the CJS suggesting that regardless of legal sanctions aiming to deter violence, these measures may not be enough for a certain group of offenders. This study sustains the need for a predictive model to quantify the risk of repeated IPV cases within the Portuguese population.

Intimate partner violence and self-esteem

IntroductionThe impact of intimate partner violence (IPV) can be devastating on women’s psychology. Moreover, IPV may destroy women’s self-esteem and self-identity.ObjectivesTo identify sociodemographic characteristics associated with IPV and to assess self-esteem among women victims of IPV.MethodsIt was a descriptive and analytical study over a period of 03 months from June 1st to August 31st, 2018 including all cases IPV female victims in forensic department at Habib BOURGUIBA University Hospital, Sfax. In addition to epidemiological data, Rosenberg scale were used to assess the victim’s self-esteem.Results Among 142 female IPV victims, only 60 (22.3%) agreed to answer our questionnaire. Their median age was 33.5 years (27-41 years). Victims did not pass high school in 61.7% of cases and they were unemployed in 53.3% of cases. Most women got married at 23 years-old (20-26). The average length of marriage was 7 years (3-14 years). Bruises and abrasions were the most frequent lesions (58.3% and 56.7% of cases). Rosenberg Scale score’s mean was 28.3 ± 4.3. Self-esteem was low or very low among 70% of victims.ConclusionsFemale victims of IPV do not have a specific profile and low self-esteem is quite common among them. Additional research is needed to better understand the extent of the problem and to develop more effective reporting methods.DisclosureNo significant relationships.