Domestic Violence Intervention Research Articles

Global Expectations for Bystander Intervention in Domestic Violence: A Scoping Review of Governmental Policies and Community Resources in Eight Countries

Abstract Purpose Over recent years, expectations for bystanders to intervene to interrupt or prevent domestic violence have increased. However, the extent of these expectations and the ways in which bystanders are supported to uphold these expectations remain ambiguous. Drawing on a scoping review methodology, this study aims to map the bystander expectations and advice contained in government policies and community resources across eight countries. Methods We conducted a grey-literature search to identify the three most recent and relevant policy documents from each country, as well as the three most easily-accessible online community resources. We charted key information from each policy and resource, including type of violence and level of prevention; responsibility to intervene and effectiveness of bystander intervention; recognition of danger; and recommended bystander actions. Results The results indicate that the government policies and community resources included in the review held high expectations for bystanders to intervene in domestic violence. However, the information provided on how to safely and effectively intervene was inconsistent in its recognition of the risk posed to bystanders, and often offered contradictory advice. Conclusions An examination of our findings within the context of existing evidence suggests that there are severe limitations to the messages and information presented by the policies and resources. As a matter of urgency, more empirical research is needed to inform the government policies and community resources that encourage bystanders to intervene in domestic violence.

The Interplay of Social Norms and Legal Systems: Unraveling the Complexity of Domestic Violence in China and Paving the Path for Change

This research investigates the perpetuation of domestic violence (DV) in China by analyzing how social norms and institutional practices collectively contribute to the challenges faced by individuals experiencing DV. Despite the implementation of China's Anti-Domestic Violence Law in 2016, its effectiveness in protecting DV survivors' rights has been subject to scrutiny among researchers. This research aims to understand whether law enforcement and judicial responses post-legislation effectively align with policy objectives to mitigate DV issues. It hypothesizes a dissonance between the DV legislation and social norms emphasizing family and social harmony and non-interference in family affairs. Focusing on specific DV cases and incorporating the meta-analysis of secondary empirical data, archived governmental reports, periodicals, interviews, Confucian writings, and prior scholarly insights, this study examines how social norms and institutional practices in governmental agencies impact the framing and responses to DV cases. Findings suggest that entrenched social and gender norms shaped by Confucianism and traditional Chinese cultural values legitimize and reinforce institutional norms regarding how police and judges should downplay DV cases, leading to indifference and ineffective DV interventions. This research highlights the importance of adopting a social norms approach to effectively address this problem and the need for a transformative shift in social attitudes toward DV. It contributes to a nuanced understanding of DV and policy implementation in China, potentially serving as a significant step towards devising practical strategies to improve the protection of DV survivors at the local level.

A Survivor-Centered Framework for Domestic Violence Brief Crisis Intervention: A Stakeholder-Informed Approach

Program evaluation and assessment are critical for understanding the impact of domestic violence services and interventions and for making necessary refinements and revisions to programs. Demonstrating the impact of domestic violence programs (e.g., hotlines and shelters) poses challenges due to the complexities associated with abuse experiences. The use of an assessment framework will help categorize users’ multiple needs, clarify specific components of intervention approaches, and ensure that services meet clients’ needs. This article provides a comprehensive overview of a theoretical and stakeholder-informed approach used to develop an assessment framework for the National Domestic Violence Hotline (The Hotline). The research resulted in a framework which underscores the importance of survivor empowerment and support as key survivor outcomes. This article presents detailed information about the SAF-T project including methods and processes used to develop the survivor-centered framework and provides guidance for those interested in developing similar theoretical and stakeholder-informed frameworks for program planning, measuring performance, and evaluation efforts.

Keeping Safe Together: A Brief Report on Children’s Experiences of One ‘All of Family’ Domestic Violence Intervention Program in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract Purpose To develop a response to an identified service gap for domestic violence (DV) victim-survivors who are living with their abusive partner and have children in their care, Keeping Safe Together (KST) was designed as an ‘all of family’ program and piloted over 18-months in Victoria, Australia. The purpose of this brief report is to explore how children had experienced the KST program, and what, if any, changes to their safety and situations they experienced because of the program. Methods Interviews were conducted with eight children engaged in the program alongside their family members. Thematic analysis of the data was undertaken to draw out themes. Results The children were aware of the impact of the violence and conflict on their families. They demonstrated strong empathy for their family members’ wellbeing, and a desire for change. The children saw the KST program as having a positive impact on their own and their families’ safety and circumstances, particularly in terms of reducing their fathers’ abusive behaviors. The program supported them to increase their own sense of control, happiness, and development of coping strategies. Conclusions The findings indicate that the program met a significant support gap and improved the lives of children in this sample who were living with fathers using violence against their mothers. Further trial and evaluation of ‘all of family’ programs such as KST is needed to build the evidence base on their effectiveness for children.

‘And that was her choice’: Dutch general practitioners’ perceptions of the autonomy of patients with non-western migration backgrounds who experience domestic violence

ABSTRACT Women in the Netherlands with non-western migration backgrounds experience domestic violence at the intersection of culture and gender, and visit their general practitioners (GPs) with health concerns related to the violence. Drawing on semi-structured interviews with GPs, this paper illuminates how GPs navigate the process of decision-making around intervention in domestic violence, with particular attention to the role of autonomy. Patient autonomy is a core principle in Dutch general practice. The term refers to the principle that GPs must respect that competent adults can make autonomous decisions about the care they do and do not want, and that GPs must respect patients’ views, choices, and ways of life. The interview data shows great variation in how GPs respond in situations of domestic violence against women with non-western migration backgrounds. Deploying ‘somatechnics of perception’, this paper explores how GPs’ perceptions of their patients’ autonomy are both the agent and effect of a complex and embodied negotiation of gender, race, culture, ethnicity, medical ethics, and morality. In highlighting how these patients’ autonomy is rendered (un)intelligible and (il)legible in contextually specific ways, this paper sheds light on how GPs in the Netherlands can better assist women with non-western migration backgrounds who experience domestic violence.

Intention to Act: Predicting Bystander Intervention in Violent Situations in South Korea.

The purpose of this study is to explore the predictors of bystanders' intentions to intervene and types of intended intervention in domestic violence (DV) and sexual violence (SV) situations in South Korea. Using nationally representative data from the 2016 National Fact-Finding Survey on Gender Equality (N = 7,399) and logistic regression-based models, this study focused on two key predictors, bystander gender and attitudes about gender equality, while controlling for age, educational level, and employment status. Our findings indicated that males and females were equally likely to state intentions to intervene in both DV and SV situations. While both males and females were more likely to state that they would intervene indirectly rather than directly, females were even less likely to intervene directly than were males for both situations. Attitudes indicative of gender equality further increased the intention to intervene for DV and SV situations in multivariate models. Gender equality attitudes, however, decreased the intentions to intervene directly in DV but not SV situations. Limitations and implications are discussed.

Harmonising outcome measurement for child focused domestic abuse interventions. Reflections on the development and implementation of a core outcome set.

There is appetite in the UK to better measure the impact of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) interventions on children. The spread of outcomes-based commissioning means outcome measurement is no longer just the territory of academic researchers but is now firmly within the purview of practitioners and policy makers. However, outcomes measured in trials only partially represent the views of those delivering and using services with respect to how success should be defined and captured. Even within trials there is huge inconsistency in the definition and measurement of important endpoints. This yields a body of evidence that is difficult to make sense of, defeating the ends for which it was produced - to improve the response to children and families who have experienced abuse. Development of Core Outcome Sets (COS) is seen as a solution to this problem, by establishing consensus across key stakeholder groups regarding a minimum standard for outcome measurement in trials, and increasingly in service delivery contexts. To date COS development has addressed outcomes relating to health conditions or interventions, with limited application to public health challenges. We reflect on our efforts to develop a COS to evaluate psychosocial interventions for children and families experiencing DVA. We highlight the value of COS development as a mechanism for improving evidence quality and the response to families experiencing abuse. Finally, we make recommendations to researchers and COS guideline developers to support this broader application of COS methodology.

Stuck Behind the Times: How Current Controversies Related to Domestic Violence Intervention Programs are Addressed in U.S. State-Specific Documents

ABSTRACT This research assesses the extent to which current treatment-related controversies are addressed in state documents related to Domestic Violence Intervention Programs (DVIP). Specifically, we consider state-specific guidance on conducting treatment with female-identifying perpetrators, perpetrators in LGBTQ+ relationships, perpetrators located within relationships with bi-directional violence and perpetrators with a trauma history. Relevant DVIP governing documents were obtained from all U.S. states, as available (n = 47, 94%). Documents were coded with good interrater reliability (IRR = 82.4%). Although most states have gender-neutral or gender-non-specified DVIP guidelines (n = 31, 66%), 16 states (24%) have documents that specify they can only be applied to male perpetrators. Only two states (4%) provide detailed guidance for work with LGBTQ+ perpetrators. Of note, 44% of states (n = 22) exclude addressing bidirectional violence within their programs, despite its prevalence among violent couples. Only one state currently advises its DVIPs to assess for bidirectional violence at intake. While a substantial minority of states (n = 20, 40%) advise DVIPs to assess for perpetrator trauma, only a few state documents specifically endorse a trauma-informed approach (n = 6, 12%) even fewer require DVIP facilitators to include trauma information in their curriculum (n = 2, 4%). Problematically, many states’ DVIP guidelines have not been updated recently, with only 17 states having guidelines updated in the last five years. State policies must address the needs, motivations, and experiences of all DVIP perpetrators by acknowledging violence-related dynamics, incorporating a strength-based perspective, providing trauma-informed care, and enacting gender and LGBTQ±specific treatment recommendations.

Pathways to Resistance: Theorizing Trauma and Women's Use of Force in Intimate Relationships.

Using a feminist pathways general strain perspective, we explore the victim-offender continuum for women who perpetrated intimate partner violence/abuse (IPV/A). We use data from 86 women court-mandated to "female offender" domestic violence treatment programs, located in an American East Coast state, who were surveyed about their adverse childhood experiences and mental health/well-being as adults. Findings from bivariate linear regressions indicate childhood trauma negatively affects adult mental health/well-being, exacerbated for Black Indigenous People of Color women, suggesting a victim rather than an offender categorization for women using force against their abusive partner. Results imply the need to consider women's traumatic histories and IPV/A victimization, given an incident-driven system that criminalizes victimization over the life course.

Feminist Depictions of Coercive Control in ‘Domestic Noir’: Ilsa Evans’s Broken (2007) and Kathryn Heyman’s Storm and Grace (2017)

Concurrent with increasing social and legal discussions of coercive control, literary scholars are turning their attention to analyses of an emergent genre labelled ‘domestic noir’. Adding to earlier work, particularly that of Deborah Philips (2021), ‘Gaslighting: Domestic Noir, the Narratives of Coercive Control’, Women: A Cultural Review 32:2, pp. 140–160 and Meg Vann (2019), ‘Genre and Gender: Reading Domestic Noir through the Lens of Feminist Criminology’, TEXT Special Issue 57, pp. n.p., this paper contributes a therapeutic history of interventions for domestic violence, highlighting the history of the concept of control contextualized by its emergence from second wave feminism. Critical analysis of two novels, Ilsa Evans’ Broken (2007) and Kathryn Heyman’s Storm and Grace (2017), demonstrate writers centralizing feminist critiques of coercive control in domestic noir in the Australian context. This paper highlights the significance of women’s fictional representations of coercive control as sites of discursive sociocultural resistance and temporal political contextualization within the genre.

Embedded social workers within police organizations: Comparing domestic violence interventions in France and Finland

Embedded social workers within police organizations: Comparing domestic violence interventions in France and Finland

Вмешательство полиции в дела о домашнем насилии: посредническая деятельность, предупреждение или административное наказание?

China’s first law on domestic violence (DV) was passed in 2015 and implemented in 2016, which creatively established the DV warning system. It provides a way for police stations to intervene in DV and ensures family harmony and stability to some extent. However, there are regional and individual differences in implementation. In this study, information was collected during personal interviews with 12 police officers from three police stations in the same city in China. Through the discussion of police intervention in DV, we found that mediation was still the main way to settle a DV case due to the traditional concepts, ambiguity of related terms, weak deterrent of a warning paper, and inadequate understanding of related guide. Also, the support and cooperation mechanism to intervene in DV has not been established. Based on our findings, we will put forward suggestions on improving work norms and procedures, strengthening training and guidance, and establishing multi-party cooperation mechanisms.

Program Providers’ Perceptions of Restorative and Transformative Justice in the Context of Domestic Violence Offender Treatment in North Carolina

ABSTRACT Restorative justice (RJ) and other innovative approaches are increasingly being considered in lieu of traditional legal responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. This formative qualitative study investigated the perspectives of 29 North Carolina-based domestic violence intervention program (DVIP) providers, domestic violence service program providers, and North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence staff members regarding RJ and transformative justice (TJ) in the context of DVIP programming. Participants had mixed opinions about integrating RJ and TJ practices into current offender treatment and cited structural and organizational barriers to adoption. Simultaneously, they emphasized the cruciality of expanding inter-organizational networks and uncoupling offender treatment from the legal system. Participants cited increased inter-organizational cooperation and community involvement as critical steps in modifying offender treatment to include more restorative principles. Policies and institutional practices that endorse RJ and TJ may improve the effectiveness and transformational capability of offender treatment and increase healing for survivors.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Inviting Men to a Voluntary-Based Domestic Violence Intervention.

This study examines the factors motivating domestic violence perpetrators to participate in a voluntary-based intervention program. The experiences and determining factors around men's positive and negative responses to this invitation were examined through semi-structured interviews with professionals, observations, and reflexive notes during the first meeting with 29 men. Two major themes emerged from the thematic analysis: the factors making men more likely to attend the first meeting or resisting the group intervention. These findings can help professionals recognize the challenges of inviting perpetrators to interventions, especially in countries with insufficient laws for mandated domestic violence perpetrator programs. The paper discusses the importance during the first meeting of building rapport and trust and recognizing complex family histories to encourage voluntary attendance and intervention engagement.

Restorative Justice Treatment for Domestic Violence Crimes: A Qualitative Study

Domestic Violence Intervention Programs have become a key component in addressing domestic violence (DV) crimes. Recent research suggests that combining standard intervention programs with other approaches can improve overall effectiveness. The aim of this study was to examine the experiences of individuals court-mandated to treatment who completed either a standard intervention program or a restorative justice (RJ)-based hybrid intervention program combining a standard treatment program with RJ elements and Circles of Peace. Multiple interviews were conducted with participants ( N = 14) who completed one of the two programs. Qualitative data analysis was performed. Four major themes emerged: Communication and understanding, Changes in the nature of the violence, Changes in self-perception, and Program content and atmosphere experiences. The findings suggest that the hybrid intervention program may have a positive influence on the way participants perceive treatment effectiveness. Participants’ experiences may serve as a framework for improving approaches to DV treatment.

The Interplay between the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and Domestic Violence

When a mother commits an international child abduction, even if she is fleeing domestic violence perpetrated by the left-behind father, she is bound to face complicated return proceedings under the 1980 Hague Child Abduction Convention. Such mothers are particularly vulnerable; apart from the costly, cross-border proceedings they face, if the court issues a return order, they risk returning to the abusive setting they fled from. This article explores avenues for safeguarding the protection of abducting mothers in return proceedings. The authors provide a range of potential avenues for improving the standing of the abducting mother fleeing domestic violence, including judicial and legislative interventions. The article delves deeper by considering the interplay between international child abduction law and international refugee law in cases involving domestic violence allegations. Particular emphasis is given to Article 20 and the growing instances of mothers defending return orders on asylum grounds pursuant to Article 20 and the flowing human rights implications. The authors point out a niche area for further research: the interplay between domestic violence and asylum claims.

Understanding sibling violence and its impact over the life course: The case of Ghana.

Sibling relationships are a significant part of family dynamics, and sibling violence may be manifested in these relationships. Sibling violence has rarely been examined in the domestic violence literature on sub-Saharan Africa, so little is known about its prevalence or consequences. This study used a life course perspective to examine the effects of sibling violence on Ghanaian women's intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration in adulthood. Data were collected from about 1700 ever-married Ghanaian women aged 18 years and above between May and August 2022. Logit models were used to explore retrospective accounts of women's experience of various types of sibling violence in childhood and their later victimization and/or perpetration of IPV. Results showed sibling violence was prevalent in our sample: 51.2% experienced sibling emotional violence, 39.5% experienced physical violence, and 2.3% experienced sexual violence. Our findings generally supported the life course perspective. Women with experiences of sibling physical, sexual, and emotional violence were significantly more likely to perpetrate physical, sexual, and emotional IPV in adulthood. Similarly, women with experiences of sibling violence were more likely to report IPV victimization in later years. Domestic violence interventions should pay attention to sibling relationships in children's early years.

Clinical profiles and factors associated with treatment initiation in survivors of sex trafficking: A comparison with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

Little is known about formal help-seeking for mental health issues in survivors of human sex trafficking (ST) and if their experiences are different from those initiating treatment for sexual assault (SA) or domestic violence (DV). This study sought to characterize the clinical and trauma profiles of treatment-seeking survivors of ST as compared with DV and SA and the predictors of mental health treatment initiation in these three groups. The research was based on a secondary data analysis of data gathered from 1,264 treatment-seeking adults from a community mental health treatment facility in the United States. Compared with DV and SA survivors, ST survivors were significantly younger, female, Black, single, unemployed, completed less than high school, and were from the United States. Despite the presence of clinical symptoms among all three groups, findings suggest significant differences in clinical and trauma profiles, with ST survivors reporting lower levels of mental health symptomology compared to DV and SA survivors. Older age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01, 1.05]), female sex (OR = 3.03, 95% CI [1.89, 4.88]), employment (OR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.24, 0.66]), and better social relationships (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.01, 1.16]) were significantly associated with treatment initiation. This research highlights some important predictors of formal help-seeking, including perceived social relationships. Assessing for support systems in these three groups of survivors of interpersonal violence early when engaging survivors is recommended. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved).

Feasibility and Effectiveness of an Intervention to Reduce Intimate Partner Violence and Psychological Distress Among Women in Nepal: Protocol for the Domestic Violence Intervention (DeVI) Cluster-Randomized Trial.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) disproportionately affects people in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), such as Nepal. Women experiencing IPV are at higher risk of developing depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The shortage of trained frontline health care providers, coupled with stigma related to IPV and mental health disorders, fuels low service uptake among women experiencing IPV. The Domestic Violence Intervention (DeVI) combines the Problem Management Plus counseling program developed by the World Health Organization with a violence prevention component. This study aims to implement and evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of DeVI in addressing psychological distress and enabling the secondary prevention of violence for women experiencing IPV. A parallel cluster-randomized trial will be conducted across 8 districts in Madhesh Province in Nepal, involving 24 health care facilities. The study will include women aged 18-49 years who are either nonpregnant or in their first trimester, have experienced IPV within the past 12 months, have a 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) score of 3 or more (indicating current mental health issues), and have lived with their husbands or in-laws for at least 6 months. A total sample size of 912 was estimated at 80% power and α<.05 statistical significance level to detect a 15% absolute risk reduction in the IPV frequency and a 50% reduction in the GHQ-12 score in the intervention arm. The health care facilities will be randomly assigned to either the intervention or the control arm in a 1:1 ratio. Women visiting the health care facilities in the intervention and control arms will be recruited into the respective arms. In total, 38 participants from each health care facility will be included in the trial to meet the desired sample size. Eligible participants allocated to either arm will be assessed at baseline and follow-up visits after 6, 17, and 52 weeks after baseline. This study received funding in 2019. As of December 29, 2022, over 50% of eligible women had been recruited from both intervention and control sites. In total, 269 eligible women have been enrolled in the intervention arm and 309 eligible women in the control arm. The trial is currently in the recruitment phase. Data collection is expected to be completed by December 2023, after which data analysis will begin. If the intervention proves effective, it will provide evidence of how nonspecialist mental health care providers can address the harmful effects of IPV in resource-constrained settings with a high burden of IPV, such as Nepal. The study findings could also contribute evidence for integrating similar services into routine health programs in LMICs to prevent IPV and manage mental health problems among women experiencing IPV. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05426863; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05426863. DERR1-10.2196/45917.

Developing and validating an instrument to assess women’s empowerment in dealing with domestic violence in Iran: a mixed-methods study protocol

IntroductionDespite the emphasis on empowerment in interventions supporting women against domestic violence and ending spousal abuse, there is still no standard and accurate instrument to evaluate women’s empowerment in this...