Perpetration Of Gender-based Violence Research Articles

Gender-Based Violence Perpetration by Male High School Students in Eastern Ethiopia.

Gender-based violence (GBV) perpetration is a global public health problem due to its detrimental effect on health and education. This study aims to determine the prevalence of gender-based violence perpetration by male students in eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted in eastern Ethiopia in December 2018. A total of 1064 male students were involved in the study. Data were collected using an adaptation of the WHO Multi-Country Study self-administered questionnaire on the Women Health and Life Event. Descriptive statistics were calculated using STATA version 14. The prevalence of gender-based violence committed by a male in the last 12 months was 55.83% (95% CI: 52.84–58.82%). The prevalence of emotional abuse against an intimate or non-partner was 45.86% (95% CI: 42.87–48.86%), physical abuse was 45.77% (95% CI: 42.77–48.77%), and sexual abuse was 31.11% (95% CI: 28.32–33.90%). The perpetration of multiple types of gender-based violence (emotional, physical, and sexual) was 47.15% (95% CI: 43.15–51.25%), with 17.72% (95% CI: 14.75–21.03%) reporting emotionally and physically violent acts, 14.21% (95% CI: 11.51–17.27%) reporting emotionally violent acts only, and 12.88% (95% CI: 10.29–15.82%) reporting physically violent acts only. There were statistically significant differences between the age of participants who committed acts of all forms of GBV in the “ever” timeframe and the past 12 months (p < 0.001). Effective prevention and intervention strategies should be developed at the school level to reduce gender-based violence perpetration.

Interventions to reduce gender-based violence among young people living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in low-income and middle-income countries.

This study explored the effectiveness of gender-based violence (GBV) interventions on young people living with or affected by HIV in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Systematic review and meta-analysis. We pre-registered a protocol, then searched 13 databases and grey literature. We screened randomized and quasi-experimental studies (n = 2199) of young people (aged 10-24) living with or affected by HIV in LMICs. Outcomes were GBV and/or GBV-related attitudes. We appraised the data for risk of bias and quality of evidence. Narrative syntheses and multilevel random effects meta-analyses were conducted. We included 18 studies evaluating 21 interventions. Intervention arms were categorized as: sexual health and social empowerment (SHSE; n = 7); SHSE combined with economic strengthening (n = 4); self-defence (n = 3); safer schools (n = 2); economic strengthening only (n = 2); GBV sensitization (n = 2) and safer schools and parenting (n = 1). Risk of bias was moderate/high and quality of evidence low. Narrative syntheses indicated promising effects on GBV exposure, but no or mixed effects on GBV perpetration and attitudes for self-defence and GBV sensitization interventions. Safer school interventions showed no effects. For SHSE interventions and SHSE combined with economic strengthening, meta-analyses showed a small reduction in GBV exposure but not perpetration. Economic-only interventions had no overall effect. SHSE, SHSE plus and self-defence and gender sensitization interventions may be effective for GBV exposure and GBV-related attitudes but not for GBV perpetration. However, the quality of evidence is poor. Future intervention research must include both boys and girls, adolescents living with HIV and key populations.

Prevalence of Gender Based Violence Amongst Pregnant Women Accessing Ante-Natal Care in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka

Background : Gender-based violence (GBV) involves men and women, whereby the female is the victim in most cases; it arises as a result of unequal power relationships between men and women. Violence is suffered by a woman because she is a woman, and violence extremely affects women [1]. Methods: This research exercise was conducted in Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital (COOUTH) Awka. Questionnaires were checked for errors and omissions at the end of each day. Quantitative data were entered into the computer and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and appropriate test for associations. Cross – tabulations were done and chi – square test was used to test for associations between variables at 5% level of significance. Data errors were checked for and corrected. Results: 12.3% of the respondents have experienced some form of gender-based violence while pregnant; The most common type of violence seen amongst the pregnant women was physical abuse which grossed 65.2%; The most common cause of violence amongst the study population is misunderstanding on diverse issues arising in the family; the study identified the commonest perpetrators of GBV against women to be their Husbands as it grossed 73.4%. Conclusion: Gender based violence remains a major health concern in the society, more so in pregnant women. In the study above, 12.3% were victims of violence and this is a mirror to show how much more is seen in both pregnant and non-pregnant women. Keywords: Gender Based Violence; Pregnant Women; Ante-Natal Care DOI : 10.7176/JMPB/54-03 Publication date : April 30 th 2019

Enduring impact of conflict on mental health and gender-based violence perpetration in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea: A cross-sectional study.

BackgroundViolence against women is often exacerbated by war, but most civilian research has investigated short term impact. We describe the conflict experiences of men and women from the general population of Bougainville Papua New Guinea, perceptions of the enduring impact of conflict, and the associations between these and the major health and development problems on the islands: mental ill-health and violence against women.MethodsFourteen years after the end of the decade long civil war, we conducted a household survey with a random sample of adult (n = 864) men and (n = 879) women living in Bougainville. The interviews were mostly conducted face-to-face, with very sensitive questions self-completed.ResultsMental ill-health was highly prevalent, 37.8% of women and 32% of men had high levels of depressive symptomatology, 34.4% of men abused alcohol and 15.1% of women and 24.6% of men had high levels of PTSD symptoms. Among women, 23.3% had been raped in the year prior to the interview and 33.3% had experience physical or sexual partner violence. The prevalence of exposure to trauma during the civil war was very high and many of the men and women experienced lingering impact of conflict. Multiple logistic regression models showed that war trauma was associated with PTSD symptoms in women and PTSD symptoms, alcohol abuse and depressive symptoms in men. The perceived enduring impact of conflict was associated with depressive symptoms in men and women, problem drinking and suicidal thoughts in women and drug use in men. The perceived enduring conflict impact was associated with perpetration of past year rape and physical and/or sexual partner violence.DiscussionThe Bougainville civil war had a devastating impact on the population’s lives. Reversing this legacy is essential but requires addressing what is perceived as the enduring social, economic and psychological impact of the conflict and a major focus on prevention of violence against women.

Psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with perpetration of gender-based violence in a community sample of men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Rates of gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa (SA) are among the highest in the world. In societies where social ideals of masculinity encourage male dominance and control over women, gender power imbalances contribute to male perpetration and women's vulnerability. The drivers that cause men to perpetrate GBV and those that lead to HIV overlap and interact in multiple and complex ways. Multiple risk and protective factors for GBV perpetration by males operate interdependently at a number of levels; at the individual level, these include chronic anxiety and depression, which have been shown to lead to risky sexual behaviours. (i) To examine psychosocial risk factors (symptoms of anxiety and depression) as well as protective factors (social support and self-esteem) as self-reported by a cohort of males in rural KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province, SA; and (ii) to determine whether there are differences in anxiety, depression, social support and self-esteem between perpetrators and non-perpetrators. A cross-sectional study using quasi-probability cluster sampling of 13 of 28 wards in Harry Gwala District, KZN. Participants were then randomly chosen from each ward proportionate to size. The participants were relatively young (median age 22 years); over half were schoolgoers, and 91.3% had never married. Over 43% of the sample reported clinical levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms on the Brief Symptom Inventory. Rates of GBV perpetration were 60.9%, 23.6% and 10.0% for psychological abuse, non-sexual physical violence and sexual violence, respectively. GBV perpetration was associated with higher depression, higher anxiety, lower self-esteem and lower social support. Interventions to address GBV need to take modifiable individual-level factors into account.

Psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with perpetration of gender-based violence in a community sample of men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Psychosocial risk and protective factors associated with perpetration of gender-based violence in a community sample of men in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Integrating male sexual diversity into violence prevention efforts with men and boys: evidence from the Asia-Pacific Region

Men’s perpetration of gender-based violence remains a global public health issue. Violence prevention experts call for engagement of boys and men to change social norms around masculinity in order to prevent gender-based violence. Yet, men do not comprise a homogenous category. Drawing on probability estimates of men who report same-sex practices and preferences captured in a multi-country gender-based violence prevention survey in the Asia-Pacific region, we test the effects of sexuality-related factors on men’s adverse life experiences. We find that sexual minority men face statistically higher risk of lifetime adversity related to gender-based violence, stemming from gender inequitable norms in society. Sexuality is thus a key axis of differentiation among men in the Asia-Pacific region, influencing health and wellbeing and reflecting men’s differential engagement with dominant norms of masculinity. Integrating awareness of male sexual diversity into gender-based violence prevention interventions, particularly those that work with boys and men, and bridging violence prevention programming between sexual minority communities and women, are essential to tackle the root drivers of violence.

Culturally specific interventions for female survivors of gender-based violence

Women who experience gender-based violence (GBV) often experience negative psychological symptoms such as anxiety and depression. Culture is associated with the perpetration of GBV and its associated mental health consequences. To date, most evidence-supported interventions to address the psychological consequences of GBV have been developed and evaluated for dominant-culture populations within the United States. To better serve the global population of female GBV survivors, and to aid service providers working with diverse populations, we conducted a comprehensive, systematic review of the literature to explore the availability of culturally specific GBV interventions and the level of evidence supporting these interventions. Our review included 15 articles, which, based on content analysis, we determined could be grouped in 6 methodological categories. Findings reveal varying stages of intervention development and evaluation rigor. Moreover, our review identifies challenges in transnational intervention delivery and evaluation. We offer recommendations for research and practice.

Gender Based Violence and Legal Aid Services Interventions among Rural Women in Morogoro Rural and Kongwa Districts, Tanzania

Several initiatives have been implemented to promote human rights targeting women. Despite, Legal Aid Services (LAS) provided to women, violation of human rights manifested in the form of Gender Based Violence (GBV) is still high among women globally, regionally and Tanzania in particular. Using Freire’s theory, this paper analyses the contribution of LAS interventions to combat GBV incidents among rural women. The study involved 240 rural women in Morogoro Rural and Kongwa Districts. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) Version 16 was used to analyze the data. A GBV index was constructed indicating levels of GBV in the study areas. Women in the study areas were experiencing a medium level of GBV. Wife battery, deprivation of basic necessities and marital rape were the most common forms of GBV practised in the study areas. Generally, beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of LAS experienced some forms of GBV regardless of their involvement in LAS interventions. However, Mann-Whitney U test revealed a significant difference in the actions taken against perpetrators of GBV for beneficiaries (Md = 5, n = 98) and for non-beneficiaries (Md = 2, n = 95), U =2837, Z = -4.730, p = 0.000, r = 0.3. The distinguished differences might be related to the acquired knowledge through LAS intervention on women’s legal rights education. Hence, the knowledge inspires them to take legal actions of reporting GBV incidents. These results have implication on changing the odds of GBV status. Therefore, the government and LAS stakeholders should put more emphasis on raising awareness about women’s legal right education and publicizing the availability of LAS providers, particularly at the grassroots level where the majority is less informed.

The role of structural and interpersonal violence in the lives of women: a conceptual shift in prevention of gender-based violence

Explanations for violence against women (VAW) have developed in a wide variety of disciplines including, sociology, psychology, social work and public health. Theories of VAW range from individual and relationship level explanations to socio-cultural and political explanations for why violent acts towards women are committed. Feminist scholars, for instance, focus their attention to male-dominated social structures and socialization practices that teach men and women gender-specific roles that can influence violence and abuse against women [1]. One of the most common forms of violence against women is interpersonal violence (IPV). IPV refers to everyday violence such as sexual and physical assault that occurs between family members, intimates, or acquaintances. The UN Declaration was the first international statement that defined violence against women within a broader gender-based framework and identified the family, the community and the state as major sites of gender-based violence. The statement was rooted in feminist analysis of social inequality. According to the UN Declaration, violence against women involves: Any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life. (p.1) Gender-based violence (GBV) can include domestic violence, sexual harassment, sexual violence and rape. GBV is a deliberately broad term in order to recognize the gendered elements in nearly all forms of violence against women and girls, whether it is perpetrated through sexual violence or through other means. The use of the term ‘gender-based violence’ provided a new context in which to examine and understand the phenomenon of violence against women. It shifted the focus from women as victims of violence to gender and the unequal power relationships between women and men that are created and maintained through gender stereotypes. A gender perspective on violence against women addresses the similarities and differences in the violence experienced by women and men in relation to vulnerabilities, violations and consequences. In response to this declaration, various efforts have been made to respond to reduce and eliminate this violence experienced by women. Significant attention has been paid in the Northern hemisphere and high income countries such as Canada and the U.S. to the provision of social services to victims of GBV, such as strengthening and maintaining women’s safety and their involvement in social, political and economic activities. Changes have also been made to justice sector responses, and to treatment for perpetrators of GBV. Interventions in low and middle-income countries have focused on primary prevention strategies to reduce the prevalence and incidence of violence against women and girls. These prevention programs use a wide range of approaches, including group training, social communication, community mobilization, and livelihood strategies.... Language: en

Understanding gender-based violence perpetration to create a safer future for women and girls.

Worldwide, one in three women experience gender-based violence, which imparts physical, mental, and sexual health morbidities. It also causes mortality--more than a third of homicides of women are attributable to male partners. These data justifiably create global outrage, accentuated by horrific recent high-profile cases, including the brutal gang rape of a student in New Delhi, and the attempted assassination of Pakistani student and education activist Malala Yousafzai. However, mounting of an effective, evidence-based, sustainable response to gender-based violence has proven elusive, partly because of the paucity of data for the population that we need to understand the most: the perpetrators of gender-based violence. Most research into such violence focuses on victimisation, which provides invaluable insight into survivors' experiences, risk factors, and needs for support. However, to put a stop to this global pandemic demands a fundamental understanding, and modification, of the behaviour of gender-based violence perpetrators. Population-based data for men's violence perpetration and its root causes are scarce and are mostly limited to Africa. Analyses of the UN Multi-country Cross-sectional Study on Men and Violence in Asia and the Pacific presented in The Lancet Global Health represent a major advancement in that they describe the epidemiology of perpetration of the main forms of gender-based violence--intimate partner violence and non-partner rape--in a large and generalisable sample from the world's most populous region. Such violence perpetration, including rape by multiple perpetrators, was prevalent, with 25-80% of the men studied perpetrating physical, sexual, or both types of intimate partner violence, and 3-27% committing single perpetrator non-partner rape. The findings offer much-needed direction for prevention and intervention. Targeting of interventions is essential.... Language: en

Risk factor management and perpetrator rehabilitation in cases of gender-based violence in South Africa: Implications of salutogenesis

abstract It has become an established socio-political reality that South Africa has evolved into a very violent society, the manifestations of which are seen over the last two decades, despite having transitioned to a post-apartheid context. A woman is reported to be killed every eight hours in South Africa (Sapa, ‘MRC says 3 women a day killed in SA’, 7 November 2012). The interpersonal nature of the violence is suggestive of societal fragmentation particularly where the perpetrator is known to the victim and where there are fatal or protracted consequences of abuse. The phenomenon of gender-based violence has reached virtually epidemic proportions and continues to manifest in various ways, such as domestic violence, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment and the murder of intimate partners. As perpetrators or potential perpetrators of gender-based violence, South African men of have become central to the perpetuation of the problem and it is crucial that they be targeted for intervention measures. The health promotion model provides for interventions aimed at primary prevention, early detection and tertiary care or rehabilitation. Whilst tertiary interventions may be too little too late, the early detection interventions are a logical next step to advocacy and awareness campaigns. Whilst rehabilitation interventions are reactive, early detection fosters agency and reflection and is by design pro-active. This Briefing explores how a structured process of targeted interventions for men who may be prone to committing acts of gender-based violence through the model of salutogenesis (creation of wellness), as opposed to models of pathogenesis (creation of illness), could potentially become a key aspect of the solution towards attempting to bring down the overall rates of violence across the national spectrum. It draws on experiential work and theoretical knowledge that is resonant in various practitioner (and researcher) contexts such as the Advice Desk for the Abused, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) that deals with crisis intervention. Current practices are problematised and the implications of the salutogenesis model are presented in the context of gender-based violence.

Perceptions and Experiences of Research Participants on Gender-Based Violence Community Based Survey: Implications for Ethical Guidelines

ObjectiveTo explore how survey respondents perceived their experiences and the impact of participating in a survey, and to assess adverse consequences resulting from participation.DesignQualitative study involving purposefully selected participants who had participated in a household-based survey.MethodsThis qualitative study was nested within a survey that investigated the prevalence of gender-based violence perpetration and victimization with adult men and women in South Africa. 13 male- and 10 female-in-depth interviews were conducted with survey respondents.ResultsA majority of informants, without gender-differences, perceived the survey interview as a rare opportunity to share their adverse and or personal experiences in a 'safe' space. Gender-differences were noted in reporting perceptions of risks involved with survey participation. Some women remained fearful after completing the survey, that should breach of confidentiality or full survey content disclosure occur, they may be victimized by partners as a punishment for survey participation without men's approval. A number of informants generally discussed their survey participation with others. However, among women with interpersonal violence history or currently in abusive relationships, full survey content disclosure was done with fear; the partner responses were negative, and few women reported receiving threatening remarks but none reported being assaulted. In contrast no man reported adverse reaction by others. Informants with major life adversities reported that the survey had made them to relive the experiences causing them sadness and pain at the time. No informant perceived the survey as emotionally harmful or needed professional support because of survey questions. Rather the vast majority perceived benefit from survey participation.ConclusionWhilst no informant felt answering the survey questions had caused them emotional or physical harm, some were distressed and anxious, albeit temporarily. Research protocols need to put in place safeguards where appropriate so that this group receives support and protection.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Gender-Based Violence Committed by Male College Students in Awassa, Ethiopia

We sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors for the perpetration of gender-based violence among 1,378 male undergraduate students in Awassa, Ethiopia. A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect information. Nearly a quarter (24.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 22.1-26.7) of students admitted perpetrating acts of gender-based violence during the current academic year. Approximately 15.8% (95% CI 13.7-17.9) of students reported physically abusing, and 16.9% (95% CI 14.8-19.0) reported committing acts of sexual violence against an intimate partner or nonpartner. Alcohol consumption, khat use (Catha edulis, a natural stimulant), combined use of alcohol and khat, and witnessing parental violence were risk factors for committing gender-based violent acts. These findings suggest an obvious need for effective prevention programs targeted toward changing social norms on the use of violence.

Facilitating Change in Men Who Are Violent towards Women: Considering the ethics and efficacy of a person-centered approach / Veränderung bei Männern fördern, die Frauen gegenüber gewalttätig sind: Zur Ethik und Wirksamkeiteines personzentrierten Ansatzes / Facilitando el cambio en hombres que son violentos con las mujeres: Considerando la ética y la eficacia de un enfoque centrado en la persona /

This paper discusses the utility of the person-centered approach for working with male perpetrators of gender-based violence. It highlights the very limited evidence for the effectiveness of the pro-feminist cognitive behavioral model that characterizes perpetrator programs across the UK, and draws on Gadd's (2004) critique of cognitive behavioral techniques for failing to address the denials that underpin some men's violence and masculine identity. I propose that person-centered therapy, delivered by practitioners with an understanding of gender and power issues, may be an effective alternative for helping violent men to change, without being a soft option. By appraising Rogers' concepts of unconditional acceptance and the change process, I argue that the genuinely empathic, accepting approach works by engaging fully with men's emotional experience and promoting their movement towards self-directed responsible action. These theoretical points merit future research into the use of person-centered practice with violent men.

Transactional sex with casual and main partners among young South African men in the rural Eastern Cape: Prevalence, predictors, and associations with gender-based violence

We explored the prevalence and predictors of transactional sex with casual partners and main girlfriends among 1288 men aged 15–26 from 70 villages in the rural Eastern Cape province of South Africa. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with young men enroling in the Stepping Stones HIV prevention trial. A total of 17.7% of participants reported giving material resources or money to casual sex partners and 6.6% received resources from a casual partner. Transactionally motivated relationships with main girlfriends were more balanced between giving (14.9%) and getting (14.3%). We constructed multivariable models to identify the predictors for giving and for getting material resources in casual and in main relationships. Each model resulted in remarkably similar predictors. All four types of exchange were associated with higher socio-economic status, more adverse childhood experiences, more lifetime sexual partners, and alcohol use. Men who were more resistant to peer pressure to have sex were less likely to report transactional sex with casual partners, and men who reported more equitable gender attitudes were less likely to report main partnerships underpinned by exchange. The most consistent predictors of all four types of transaction were perpetration of intimate partner violence and rape against women other than a main partner. The strong and consistent association between perpetration of gender-based violence and both giving and getting material goods from female partners suggests that transactional sex in both main and casual relationships should be viewed within a broader continuum of men's exercise of gendered power and control. HIV prevention interventions need to explicitly address transactional sex in the context of ideas about masculinity, which place a high emphasis on heterosexual success with, and control of, women.