Forms Of Intimate Partner Violence Research Articles

“Influencers” – a study investigating the messages people receive about coercive control on social media

PurposeCoercive control (which is a form of intimate partner violence [IPV]) is a significant public health concern affecting millions of people throughout the world. Whilst exposure to IPV in childhood and adolescence has been shown to contribute to the intergenerational transmission of IPV, this alone does not explain IPV. A range of bio-psycho-social factors contribute to IPV which includes exposure to peer influence on social media platforms, whereby research has shown this online expression of views and opinions can change off-line behaviour. This has extended to not only purchasing products but also influencing attitudes in relation to illegal behaviour such as sexual harassment and sexual assault. The purpose of this study was to explore what young people are being exposed to online, through social media, surrounding coercive controlling behaviour.Design/methodology/approachAccording to Fazel et al. (2021), real-time social media data can provide important information about trends in public attitudes and attitudes towards events in the news. This study used data from Twitter to explore what adolescents are being exposed to online surrounding coercive and controlling behaviour. The data was subsequently analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.FindingsThree overarching themes were found in relation to coercive control: the Educator; Gaslighter; and the Comedian. Two of these were forms of secondary victimisation.Practical implicationsSocial media provides a powerful platform through which people’s attitudes and behaviours may be influenced both positively and negatively in relation to socio-political issues (Lozano-Blasco et al., 2022). The implications of the findings in this study are discussed with recommendations for how social media platforms could be supported to act prevent them from being used as a tool to facilitate the distribution of hate speech in relation to IPV and instead be used as a platform for psycho-education.Originality/valuePrevious research in this field has tended to focus on the impact of IPV and the prevalence rates of IPV in young people, but not on the different types of information young people may be exposed to surrounding relationships on social media platforms.

Effect of justification of wife-beating on experiences of intimate partner violence among men and women in Uganda: A propensity-score matched analysis of the 2016 Demographic Health Survey data.

In some communities, rationalization of men's controlling attitudes is associated with the justification of gender norms such as wife-beating as a method of correcting spouse behaviour. In this quasi-experimental study, we investigate the causal effects of the acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating on experiences of sexual, emotional, and physical intimate partner violence (IPV) among Ugandan men and women. We analysed the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey data using propensity-score matching. The exposure variable is the acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating measured on a binary scale and the outcomes are the respondent's lifetime experiences of sexual, physical, and emotional IPV. We matched respondents who accepted gender norms justifying wife-beating with those that never through a 1:1 nearest-neighbour matching with a caliper to achieve comparability on selected covariates. We then estimated the causal effects of acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating on the study outcomes using a logistic regression model. Results showed that a total of 4,821 (46.5%) out of 10,394 respondents reported that a husband is justified in beating his wife for specific reasons. Among these, the majority (3,774; 78.3%) were women compared to men (1,047; 21.7%). Overall, we found that men and women who accept gender norms justifying wife-beating are more likely to experience all three forms of IPV. In the sub-group analysis, men who justify wife-beating were more likely to experience emotional and physical IPV but not sexual IPV. However, women who justify wife-beating were more likely to experience all three forms of IPV. In conclusion, the acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating has a positive effect on experiences of different forms of IPV by men and women in Uganda. There is, therefore, a need for more research to study drivers for acceptance of gender norms justifying wife-beating to enable appropriate government agencies to put in place mechanisms to address the acceptability of gender norms justifying wife-beating at the societal level.

Someone you can count on: Examining the mediating effect of social support on economic abuse and depression.

The aim of this study was to examine whether social support mediated the relationship between economic abuse, a form of intimate partner violence, and mental health, specifically depression, among pregnant women. This cross-sectional study used a sample of 193 pregnant women living in the United States who participated in an online Qualtrics panel survey in January 2021. Hayes Process Macro was used to assess a mediation model. Economic abuse was associated with increased odds of depressive sympto ms and fewer perceived social supports. Social support mediated the relationship between economic abuse and depression. Implications for research, policy, and practice are discussed. Notably, research focused on economic abuse and efforts to respond to it need to pay particularly close attention to the role that social supports may play in survivor'soverall well-being, as well as the impact that economic abuse may have on survivors' perceptions of social support. This may be particularly true for pregnant women experiencing economic abuse for whom social support-related interventions have yielded positive health outcomes.

Gender-Based Violence and Intimate Partner Violence in Greece During the COVID–19 Pandemic

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly during lockdown periods, there has been an increase in cases of Gender-based Violence (GBV), Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), and Domestic Violence (DV) globally. This increase has been characterised as a “shadow pandemic” or a “second pandemic”. While previous research has shown a correlation between Violence against Women and times of crisis, little attention has been paid to the Greek context, which revealed a worrying increase in femicides in 2021. In particular, the significant response of civil organisations, women’s rights activists, and the #metooGR social movement in 2021 brought several GBV cases to public attention, triggering social mobilisation towards the fight for gender equality, elimination of GBV, and social justice. This research investigates Greece as a case study, focusing on GBV in the form of IPV in Greece since 2020, particularly during the first and second lockdown. To theoretically ground this investigation, a literature review on the topic has been conducted, complemented with statistics from annual reports on Violence against Women from 2019, 2020, and 2021, which were conducted by the General Secretariat for Demography and Family Policy and Gender Equality, a governmental actor dedicated to these matters. These annual reports are a newly formed initiative in Greece. Furthermore, through expert interviews with members of civil society and women’s rights activists, the discussion will move forward to the unique protection challenges faced during the pandemic, combined with newly invented ways to fight GBV and IPV, while giving survivors a possible way out even during this unique occasion. Based on the secondary data analysis and interviews, an increase in IPV is observed, accompanied by a lack of alignment between legal provisions and law enforcement, and a lack of an established action plan that can assure prevention and protection for women from the moment they experience violence until the closure of their case.

Depression as a mediator between intimate partner violence (IPV) and CD4 cell count among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV in China

ABSTRACT Intimate partner violence (IPV) is associated with adverse mental and physical outcomes among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV. Few studies focus on psychological IPV, such as verbal threats. This study examined the associations between different forms of IPV and depression and CD4+ cell count, with depression as a mediator for the association between IPV and CD4+ cell count. Data for these analyses were derived from a larger cross-sectional study on HIV-HCV co-infection among MSM in Shanghai, China (N = 1623). We estimated the average causal mediation effects (ACME) and average direct effects (ADE) through three steps. About 16% of participants experienced IPV, with forced sex (7%), verbal threats (5%), and thrown objects (4%) being most common. Verbal threats showed the strongest link with depression and low CD4+ cell count. Depression fully mediated the relationship between verbal abuse and low CD4+ cell count, suggesting it as a potential pathway between psychological IPV and poorer HIV-related health outcomes. More research on psychological IPV is warranted to examine its health impacts. Mental health could be a potential focus of intervention to enhance HIV-related health outcomes among MSM with IPV experience.

How Criminal Is It to Rape a Partner According to the Justice System? Analysis of Sentences in Spain (2015–2022)

Sexual violence in an intimate relationship is a less studied phenomenon than other forms of intimate partner violence, despite data pointing to a high prevalence. Studies on how the cases are sentenced are scarce. Until recently, many laws did not allow marital rape to be punished as a crime of rape, and some studies showed a tendency for the courts to punish these cases less severely. The present study is based on an analysis of 964 rape cases of adult women in Spain. All the information was extracted from sentences of the Provincial Courts issued between 2015 and 2022. Results showed that significantly lower conviction rates and less severe penalties were imposed when the rape was committed by the intimate partner compared to other rape cases where the offenders were not partners (family members, acquaintances, or unknown strangers). The practical implications of these results in several areas are discussed.

The association between alcohol consumption and intimate partner violence in young male perpetrators in Mwanza, Tanzania: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT Background Although alcohol consumption is a well-known risk factor for intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration, few studies have been conducted among young males in low- and middle-income countries. Alcohol consumption and IPV are both complex phenomena, whose association requires more in-depth exploration regarding drinking patterns and the alcohol-related manifestation of five different forms of IPV. Objective In this study, we sought to explore the relationship between alcohol use and IPV in young Tanzanian men and to identify differences in the magnitude of past-year IPV perpetration among alcohol drinkers and abstainers. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the association between various drinking patterns with the perpetration of different forms of IPV. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 1002 young males residing in Mwanza, Tanzania, was conducted in 2021–2022. Data on alcohol consumption were collected using the alcohol use disorder identification test. IPV perpetration was assessed using an index total of 19 items on acts of physical, sexual, economic, emotional abuse, and controlling behaviour. Logistic regression models were conducted to estimate the relationship between alcohol use and the perpetration of each form of IPV. Results Among partnered respondents currently consuming alcohol (n = 189, 18.8%), the most and the least prevalent IPV forms in the past 12 months were controlling behaviour (84.1%) and physical IPV (25.4%), respectively. Those reporting recent alcohol consumption reported higher rates of all forms of past-year IPV perpetration compared to abstainers. While no form of IPV was associated with low-risk consumption versus abstention, all forms of IPV were associated with hazardous drinking. Conclusion Young men who drink alcohol, especially those drinking hazardously, are also more likely to report perpetrating IPV. An understanding of the different drinking patterns and manifestations of forms of IPV can contribute to better-tailored alcohol-related interventions and has the potential to improve young adults’ health and reduce IPV perpetration.

From Invisibility to Bivisibility: Identity Abuse and Mental Health Outcomes among Bisexual Individuals

There has been a growth in research that is focused on the experiences of bisexual individuals. Bisexual individuals are disproportionately impacted by identity abuse, a form of intimate partner violence perpetrated against an individual’s visible and/or invisible identities that serves to discredit, undermine or devalue those identities (Scheer et al., 2019). The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between experiences of identity abuse (in the past year and adulthood), depression and generalized anxiety symptoms, and how both are moderated by identity affirmation in a sample of 83 partnered bisexual people. A quarter of the sample endorsed having experienced at least one form of identity abuse in the past year and an overwhelming majority (66.3%) in their adulthood. Using moderation analyses, identity affirmation did not moderate the relationship between identity abuse in the past year and adulthood, and depression and generalized anxiety symptoms. These findings highlight the need to continue conducting research that is bisexual-specific in an effort to develop a better understanding of their experiences, stressors and protective factors.

The Impact of Cash Transfers on Intimate Partner Violence: A Quasi-Experimental Evidence from Tanzania

Abstract The prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women remains high around the world. Cash transfers (CTs) are one potential avenue that can be used to reduce violence through women’s empowerment. The present study uses a mixed method, where both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed to compare the difference in the prevalence of IPV between CT recipients and non-recipients of CTs and among different categories of CTs. For quantitative data, a single difference estimation of the end-line cross-section data was used to assess the impact of Tanzania’s CTs on IPV. Results show that CTs have no impact on different forms of IPV, except a negligible impact in reducing physical violence. Moreover, thematic analysis of qualitative data suggests that cultural norms that subordinate women to men irrespective of women’s socioeconomic status are the channels through which IPV is perpetuated in Tanzania. Therefore, we recommend that CTs be designed in a manner that progressively transforms power relations in Tanzania. This would necessarily include having tailor-made gender training programs; promoting efforts that seek to reform the legal framework that preserves masculine culture in Tanzania’s society as well as improving the functioning of police-based gender desks and social work departments across the country.

Problem Drinking is Associated with Intimate Partner Cyber Abuse Perpetration but is Buffered by High Relationship Satisfaction.

Intimate partner cyber abuse (IPCA) is a prevalent form of intimate partner violence (IPV) that has detrimental effects on victims' well-being. Although research has documented associations with other forms of IPV perpetration, additional research is needed to identify IPCA perpetration risk factors. One of the most common risk factors for offline IPV is perpetrators' alcohol use; however, less is known about how this translates to online contexts. There is also a need to identify protective factors that mitigate the effects of alcohol. This study evaluated associations between drinking, relationship satisfaction, and IPCA perpetration via self-report questionnaires within a longitudinal framework. Participants included 544 adults in an intimate relationship (n = 296 at T2). Results indicated that relationship satisfaction buffered the effects of problem drinking on IPCA perpetration at T1, but not at T2. Further, 20.2% of individuals who perpetrated IPCA at T1 drank alcohol during at least one incident, and these individuals reported more problem drinking and more frequent IPCA perpetration compared to those who reported IPCA without alcohol. Results from this study provide insight into both risk and protective factors for IPCA perpetration among adults and have the potential to guide concurrent prevention strategies that target intersections between problem drinking, IPCA, and offline IPV, and promote healthy and satisfying intimate relationships.

Overlap of relationship distress and intimate partner violence in community samples.

Mixed-gender couples presenting for couple therapy are at 2-3 times higher risk for physical intimate partner violence (IPV) than community couples. However, it is unclear if this elevation of relative risk is the same in the general population because relationship distress and treatment-seeking are often confounded. We used archival data from three representative U.S. civilian samples and one representative U.S. Air Force sample to test the hypothesis that clinically significant relationship distress is associated with increased risk of various forms of IPV. In these community samples, those in mixed-gender distressed relationships were at 2-3 times higher risk than those in nondistressed relationships for any physical IPV during the past year and at 3-6 times higher risk for clinically significant psychological and physical IPV during the past year. Given that the increase in IPV risk is similar for individuals in distressed community relationships and therapy-seeking relationships, the prior findings of the elevated rates of IPV in clinical samples are unlikely to be due to therapy-seeking. Although epidemiological risk involves statistical, not causal, associations, the increased co-occurrence of IPV in distressed mixed-gender couples fits with numerous theories of IPV and has implications for both screening and future research. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Assessment of Microfinance Interventions and Intimate Partner Violence

An estimated 27% of ever-partnered women aged 15 to 49 years have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes, which has been associated with a wide range of both acute and chronic illness. Poverty is thought to be a major driver of IPV, and economic empowerment programs may reduce violence. To evaluate whether microfinance interventions are associated with reductions in various forms of IPV. On August 3, 2022, PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, EconLit, and 5 global health databases were searched from inception. Included studies were randomized clinical trials evaluating the effect of microfinance interventions vs control on exposure to IPV. This study was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses reporting guideline. Authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted prespecified data, and evaluated risk of bias using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool. Outcome measures of interest were exposure to overall IPV and 4 World Health Organization-designated IPV domains: physical, psychological and emotional, sexual, and controlling behaviors. Univariate meta-analyses using a random effects model were used to calculate the standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% CIs for each IPV outcome. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation method was used to rate the certainty of findings. Overall, 10 randomized clinical trials met inclusion criteria, with a total of 16 136 participants, of whom 98% identified as women, with a mean age of 28.9 years. Compared with no intervention, participation in microfinance was associated with lower rates of psychological and emotional violence (SMD, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.80-0.95; I2 = 46%; high certainty), sexual violence (SMD, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.63-0.90; I2 = 44%; low certainty), and controlling behaviors (SMD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74-0.92; I2 = 54%; high certainty). There was no significant association with physical violence (SMD, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.76-1.04; very-low certainty). This systematic review and meta-analysis of microfinance interventions found a reduction in exposure to psychological and emotional IPV as well as controlling behaviors among participants receiving microfinance interventions, with high certainty evidence. Further work is needed to evaluate which types of microfinance interventions are most effective at reducing the various forms of IPV.

Intimate partner violence among HIV-positive women in discordant relationships attending care and treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) toward women is a public health concern affecting many countries across the world. Globally, 30% of women experience lifetime physical, sexual, or psychological harm. HIV-positive women in discordant relationships are at higher risk of experiencing IPV than other women. This study aimed to determine the magnitude and factors associated with intimate partner violence among HIV-positive women in discordant relationships attending HIV care and treatment clinics in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 411 HIV-positive women who were in discordant relationships attending HIV care and treatment clinics in eight selected healthcare facilities in Dar es Salaam from June 2021 to July 2021. A questionnaire with structured questions on social-demographic information and factors associated with intimate partner violence was used. Data were collected electronically using the Open Data Kit (ODK) system, cleaned, and stored. Descriptive analysis was done and presented in frequency distribution and cross-tabulation. A chi-square was used to determine the differences in variables, and the modified Poisson regression model was used to estimate adjusted prevalence risk ratios (APRRs) with 95% CI for factors associated with IPV. Variables were considered statistically significant at 95% CI and p < 0.05. All statistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 15. The mean age of the participants was 36.2 (standard deviation [SD] ±7.8). The majority of women had attained primary education, i.e., 237 (57.7%). Over 65.7% of HIV-positive women in discordant relationships had ever experienced IPV. Women whose partners had primary and secondary education, were alcohol users, and were solely decision-makers in the family were strongly associated with IPV. Close to two-thirds of HIV-positive women who were in discordant relationships attending HIV care and treatment clinics in selected healthcare facilities in Dar es Salaam had ever experienced at least one form of IPV. Low level of education of the partner, alcohol use, and power relation in decision-making were significantly associated with IPV. We recommend routine screening of IPV for HIV-positive women who are in discordant relationships attending HIV care and treatment clinics. Joint efforts are needed in addressing the factors associated with IPV in discordant couples.

The prevalence of childhood sexual experiences and intimate partner violence among transgender women in China: Risk factors for lifetime suicidal ideation.

Several studies highlighted childhood sexual experiences (CSEs) and intimate partner violence (IPV) as risk factors that affected lifetime suicidal ideation. TW had higher rates of CSEs and IPV than cisgender people. The aim of this study was to comprehensively assess the prevalence of CSEs and IPV among TW and their association with lifetime suicidal ideation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 247 TW in Shenyang and Kunming, China, from April to September 2018. CSEs, IPV, and lifetime suicidal ideation were assessed. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between self-reported CSEs under 18 years of age, IPV in adulthood, and lifetime suicidal ideation. In the study, 14.2% (35/247) of the sample participants reported CSEs under 18 years of age; 44.9% (111/247) reported experiencing IPV in adulthood, including 18.6% (44/247) of physical IPV, 27.1% (67/247) of trans-specific identity IPV, 31.6% (78/247) of verbal IPV, and 19.4% (48/247) of sexual IPV; and 26.3% (65/247) had thought about attempting suicide at least one time. CSEs and any form of IPV were significantly associated with suicidal ideation in this sample population. A final stepwise multivariate logistic regression model found that both physical and verbal IPVs were significantly associated with suicidal ideation when controlling for other factors (ORm1 = 2.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.163-5.724; ORm2 = 2.72, 95% CI = 1.334-5.547). The findings highlight the effects of CSEs and IPV among TW and suggest the need for research on suicide in the future. Suicide prevention efforts for this invisible and vulnerable population should focus on those with physical and verbal IPV.

Prevalence and determinants of emotional violence faced by married women in Delhi, India: A cross-sectional study.

Emotional violence is the lesser recognized form of intimate partner violence (IPV) but causes long-lasting harm to a woman's mental and physical wellbeing. To estimate the prevalence and describe the determinants of emotional violence faced by women residing in a metropolitan city of India. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 'presently married' women living in an urban residential area of Delhi. We used the NFHS-3 questionnaire and criteria to record the study participants' responses regarding their experience of 'emotional violence'. Women saying yes to emotional violence further quantified the frequency of each type of abuse into 'often' or 'sometimes' in the past 12 months. Informed consent was obtained from all participants, and the Institutional Ethics Committee approved the study. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine emotional violence with various socio-demographic factors and other forms of IPV. A total of 99 (19.8%) women had 'ever' faced psychological abuse by their husbands. 15.2% of women were humiliated by husbands, and 11.6% of women were insulted and made to feel bad about themselves. Women whose husbands consume alcohol (OR = 1.74 (1.07-2.84), exhibit controlling behaviour, (OR = 2.79 (1.74-4.46) exhibit physical (OR = 10.83 (6.4-18.32) or sexual (OR = 5.53 (3-10.2) violence were at significantly higher risk of facing psychological abuse within their marriages. Physical violence and controlling were found to be significantly associated with the experience of emotional violence after adjusting for all other variables. Primary care physicians should be sensitized to this critical health issue.

Abused and Rejected: The Link Between Intimate Partner Violence and Parental Alienation

Previous studies have demonstrated a connection between intimate partner violence (IPV) and a child’s alienation from the abused parent, but little is known about the relationships between the type of IPV, aspects, and severity of a child’s alienation, and the target parent’s gender. This study assessed the presence of an IPV history (verbal and physical aspects) among parents who identify as targets of their children’s unreasonable rejection. Also investigated were associations between the form of IPV and manifestations of a child’s alienated behavior, parent’s gender and type of IPV, and parents’ gender and degree of the child’s alienation. Self-identified alienated parents (n= 842) completed an online survey that included an IPV screening measurement (Hurts, Insults, Screams, Threatens screening tool) and a measure of the parent’s perception of their child’s alienated behaviors (Rowlands Parental Alienation Scale). The majority identified as IPV victims and reported a higher level of verbal than physical abuse. More mothers than fathers identified themselves as IPV victims. As a group, IPV victims rated their child as more severely alienated than did non-IPV alienated parents. Mothers were more likely than fathers to report physical aggression by the other parent and more likely than fathers to assess their child’s alienated behaviors as more severe. Victims of physical violence reported their children were less likely to withhold positive affection from them. This knowledge may assist in earlier identification of the alienation process and greater recognition, legitimacy, funding, and opportunities for enhanced collaboration among stakeholders. This, in turn, may lead to improvements in prevention, intervention, and accountability, thus helping to interrupt alienation processes.

Prevalence of Psychopathy, Intimate Partner Homicide, and Suicide Risk in Spain

The most extreme form of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is female intimate partner homicide (female IPH). The main goal of this study was to analyze the prevalence of psychopathy in a sample of Spanish male offenders of female IPH. This study also aimed to examine the relationship between psychopathy and committing suicide after female IPH in a sample of 76 Spanish male offenders of female IPH. We examined the presence or lack of psychopathic traits or psychopathy itself, using the two factors and four facets of the Hare Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R). Applying this procedure, we obtained a series of descriptive statistics and frequencies, to which we applied Student’s t-test and variance analyses. We found a low prevalence of subjects diagnosed as psychopath at a cut-off score equal or greater than 30 on the PCL-R, but a higher prevalence was found with a cut-off score of 25. The presence of factor I traits (personality and interpersonal characteristics) was greater than factor II (impulsive and antisocial behavior) among female IPH offenders. Higher scores on factor II and lower on factor I were related to an increased risk of suicide after committing female IPH. The study data support international research showing a significant presence of factor I traits (e.g., callousness and lack of empathy) among IPH offenders. Also, these data support that those male offenders of female IPH who presents characteristics of impulsivity and antisocial behavior do tend to commit suicide more frequently after committing female IPH.

Prevalence, pattern, and predictors of formal help-seeking for intimate partner violence against women: findings from India’s cross-sectional National Family Health Surveys-3 (2005–2006) and 4 (2015–2016)

BackgroundHelp-seeking for intimate partner violence (IPV) requires women to disclose their experiences. For policymakers, low help-seeking threatens the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of gender equality, good health, and wellbeing. In India, the Prevention of Domestic Violence Against Women Act (PWDVA 2005) was implemented in 2006. Using two rounds of the India National Family Health Survey (NFHS), one before and one after implementation, we examined the prevalence, pattern, and sociodemographic and socioeconomic factors associated with formal help-seeking for IPV.MethodsWe used univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to assess the prevalence of help-seeking for IPV in the past 12 months and examined associations with different forms of IPV and sociodemographic factors.ResultsThe proportion of ever-married women aged 15–49 years who reported physical, sexual, or emotional IPV in the last 12 months increased from 23% in NFHS-3 (2005–2006) to 25% in NFHS-4 (2015–2016). In both surveys, few women sought help. Informal sources of help were preferred over formal sources, which declined from NFHS-3 to NFHS-4 (any help: 24.5 to 13.8%; informal help: 24.1 to 13.4%; and formal help: 1.2 to 1.1%). Women from lower castes and women with children were less likely to seek formal help. Over the two surveys, the odds of formal help-seeking for sexual IPV in the past 12 months remained similar (NFHS-3 aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.5. NFHS-4 aOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.4, 2.6). The odds were slightly higher for emotional IPV (NFHS-3 aOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.8, 3.3. NFHS-4 aOR 2.7, 95% CI 2.0, 3.7) and spousal control (NFHS-3 aOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.4, 3.0. NFHS-4 aOR 2.3, 95% CI: 1.4, 3.7).ConclusionsLow disclosure and help-seeking impact a country’s social, cultural, economic, and political progress. The PWDVA did not appear to result in increases in help-seeking among women in India who experienced IPV. Further work is needed to understand barriers to help-seeking in the presence of public policy efforts to support women affected by IPV. These may include poor implementation and enforcement of Policy, as well as normalization and justification of gender-based violence. We recommend a deeper understanding of help-seeking across all systems to establish a barometer of help-seeking. An increase in formal or informal help-seeking is an indicator of reduced tolerance of IPV and the enabling environment of the PWDVA 2005 for tracking progress toward the SDGs of gender equality and the eradication of all forms of gender-based violence and discrimination.

The Use of Children as a Tactic of Intimate Partner Violence and its Impact on Survivors’ Mental Health and Well-being Over Time

Abstract Purpose This is the first study to longitudinally examine the mental health and well-being impacts on survivors when their abusive partners and ex-partners use their children as an abuse tactic against them. Methods The sample included two hundred seventy-seven homeless or unstably housed survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). All were mothers of minor children. Participants were interviewed shortly after seeking services and again at 6-months, 12-months, 18-months, and 24-months. They were asked about abuse they had experienced in the past six months, including the ways children were used as a form of IPV. They were also asked about their current depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, as well as quality of life. Results Many of the participants reported their abusive partners and ex-partners had used their children as a form of IPV to control or hurt them. Further, after controlling for other forms of abuse, use of the children significantly predicted increased anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and quality of life (but not depression) over time. Conclusion It is important to recognize the widespread use of children as a common and injurious form of IPV, and its impact on the mental health and well-being of survivors.

'I didn't even know it was a thing': Australian young adults' experience of economic abuse.

Economic abuse is a form of intimate partner violence that involves one partner controlling or restricting, exploiting or sabotaging the economic resources of the other partner. Little is known how economic abuse manifests in young people's relationships or how to prevent it. This study explored young adults' experiences of economic abuse and identified the factors associated with economic abuse in their relationships. Twenty-four young adults (18 women and 6 men) aged 18-29, were interviewed in-depth using both unstructured narrative and semi-structured interview questions. Thematic analysis was used to identify forms of economic abuse. Common experiences of economic abuse included: exploitation of financial and other resources, controlling access to money, damage to property and sabotage of employment and study. The contextual factors included lack of awareness of economic abuse, valuing love and relationships over money and fear of conflict and rejection. We argue that economic abuse prevention strategies should target young adults in their relationship formation stage and take into account the context of relationships and the issues young people face when venturing into cohabitation.