Patterns Of Victimization Research Articles

Prevalence and pattern of bullying victimization among early adolescent students in Sri Lanka: A School based cross-sectional study

Background: Bullying victimization has resulted in various forms of detrimental effects on mental and social wellbeing of adolescents. The study was designed to determine the prevalence and pattern of bullying victimization among early adolescent students in Sri Lanka.Methods: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among 2641 grade seven, eight and nine students in 43 government schools in an educational zone in Kegalle district in Sri Lanka selected by stratified random cluster sampling method. The validated Sinhala version of Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire (OBVQ) was used to assess the victimization status, its subtypes and patterns of victimization according to the category of schools.Results: The response rate was 96.01%. The prevalence of bullying victimization among 12-14 years aged schooling adolescents in the Kegalle educational zone was 59% (95% CI = 57.1-60.9). Verbal bullying was the commonest type of victimization 45.2% (95% CI = 43.24-47.16). Calling names teasing in a hurtful way (36.3%), trying to disrupt the friendship among friends (22.3%) pinching, scratching by nails, pulling from the hair, ear and dress (22.4%) were the most frequently existing bullying activities among victims. Overall bullying victimization and subtypes of bullying victimization were significantly higher among male students (p=<0.001), younger age group (12 years) (p=<0.001) and significantly less in category IAB schools (p=<0.001).Conclusions: Prevalence of bullying victimization and subtypes of victimization among early adolescent students in the Kegalle educational zone was high. It was significantly more among males and in younger age and more observed in type 2 schools.

A latent transition analysis of bullying victimization among Chinese adolescents: Links with peer and teacher–student relationships

AbstractBullying victimization is a significant public health concern and has been associated with various mental health problems. This study aims to investigate the heterogeneity and transition patterns of bullying victimization among Chinese adolescents, and the influence of interpersonal relationships on the dynamic process of victimization over a 12‐month period. The valid sample consists of 1246 adolescents (51.8% girls) in seventh–eighth grade, aged 11–15 years (Mage = 13.58, SD = 0.75) at the first measurement. Latent profile analysis and latent transition analysis were utilized to identify latent profiles and transition patterns of victimization among adolescents. The results revealed three subgroups based on the forms and severity of victimization: the high victimized group, the moderately victimized group, and the low victimized group. The low victimized group is the most stable. Individuals who initially belong to low victimized group rarely transition into moderately or high victimized groups over time. The moderately and high victimized groups changed greatly, with both showing a trend of decreasing levels of victimization. Peer relationships played an important role in preventing victimization, but it was not found that teacher–student relationships had a significant predictive effect.

How Children Stop Adult Perpetrators From Unwanted Touching Within an Institutional Setting: Termination Patterns During Sexual Contact Stage.

This qualitative study analyzes victims' narratives of male-on-male child molestation within the Boy Scouts of America. The focus of previous literature on sex crime victims mostly centered on how to avoid sex offenders based on the offenders' behaviors and effective victims' treatment plans to alleviate their posttrauma as a result of sexual abuse. Yet studies have not provided detailed descriptions of when and how to resist sexual advances to children when such incidents are in progress within youth-oriented institutions. Few have examined victim narratives to discover the dynamics of child molestation, such as physical and verbal interactions between the two parties while sexual touching is occurring. The author used victims' narratives to identify how boy victims responded to unwanted sexual advances by scout leaders within the Boy Scouts of America. Based on qualitative-oriented analysis, this study presents verbal and physical resisting patterns of male victims and the effectiveness of such actions in terminating sexual advances. The findings suggest practical and potential intervention strategies so children know how to stop adult perpetrators from developing unwanted touching within youth-centric institutions.

A Bayesian Study of Drinking and Intimate Partner Violence Across Two- and Four-Year Colleges

ABSTRACT This study investigated intimate partner violence victimization patterns in two-year and four-year college students, examining heavy episodic drinking as a risk factor. Using Bayesian analysis to assess similarities, Hypothesis 1 found moderate evidence for no reliable differences in dating victimization between groups. Hypothesis 2 indicated that heavy episodic drinking reliably predicted intimate partner violence in both college types. Contrary to Hypothesis 3, the relationship strength between heavy episodic drinking and intimate partner violence did not differ between campus types. These results suggest consistent intimate partner violence patterns across college types, emphasizing the importance of addressing heavy episodic drinking in prevention efforts for both groups. The study contributes valuable insights to understanding and mitigating intimate partner violence risks in diverse college settings.

Patterns of Female Homicide Victimization in Western Europe

Recent years witnessed an increase in attention to femicide, or the killing of women because of their gender. Prior empirical studies have drawn attention to the prevalence of female homicide victimization, but most have been unable to give a detailed overview of the specific contexts in which women are killed, and to what extent female homicide victimization is unique, i.e., in that it differs from male victimization. This exploratory study aims, first, to map the nature and scope of female homicide in six European countries: Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland; and, secondly, to compare female homicide victimization with male homicide victimization. Using data from a new uniform homicide recording system, the European Homicide Monitor, this study allowed for unique cross-country comparisons and a detailed breakdown by victim-offender relationship, and type of homicide. Results indicated that female homicide victimization rates remained relatively stable during the last decade, with a narrowing gender gap. Furthermore, results reflected substantial heterogeneity in the context in which women were victimized. Finally, female homicide victimization differs in many respects from male victimization, but overlaps do exist. Such heterogeneity, and possible overlaps with male victimization call for differential approaches.

The Spatial Scale and Spread of Child Victimization.

Previous research shows that large, densely populated urban areas have higher rates of child victimization that have persisted over time. However, few investigations have inquired about the processes that produce and sustain hot and cold spots of child victimization. As a result, the mechanisms that produce the observed spatial clustering of child victimization, and hence "why" harms against children tend to cluster in space, remains unknown. Does the likelihood of being a victim of violence in one location depend on a similar event happening in a nearby location within a specified timeframe? Rather, are child victims of violence more likely to reside in suboptimal neighborhood conditions? This paper aims to present an analytical and theoretical framework for distinguishing between these locational (point) processes to determine whether the empirical spatial patterns undergirding child victimization are more reflective of the "spread" via contagion (i.e., dependency) or whether they are produced by neighborhood structural inequality resulting from spatial heterogeneity. To detect spatial dependence, we applied the inhomogeneous K-function to Los Angeles Medical Examiner data on child homicide victim locations while controlling for regional differences in victimization events (i.e., heterogeneity). Our analysis found strong evidence of spatial clustering in child victimization at small spatial scales but inhibition at larger scales. We further found limited support for the spatiotemporal clustering of child victimization indicative of a contagion effect. Overall, our results support the role of neighborhood structural vulnerability in the underlying mechanisms producing patterns of child victimization across Los Angeles County. We conclude by discussing the policy implications for understanding this spatial patterning in geographical context and for developing effective and targeted preventive interventions.

What makes a railway station safe and for whom? The impact of transit environments on passengers’ victimisation and safety perceptions

This study assesses patterns of victimisation and safety perceptions among passengers using railway stations across neighbouring municipalities in Sweden. Exploratory data analysis and logistic regression models underlie the methodology of the study, which shows that the geography of passengers’ victimisation differs from the geographical patterns found for the perception of safety. Findings show that passengers’ safety perceptions are more affected by the physical and social characteristics of transit environments than passengers’ victimisation. Yet, for those who have reduced mobility, the station affects the likelihood of their being victimised. Lack of staff and poor maintenance of the station are two significant attributes associated with the lower levels of safety perceived by passengers as well as levels of crime and panhandling at both the station and on the way to it. Compared with all passengers, women, but in particular those who identify as LGBTQI+ /Non-binary/Other, run a higher likelihood of feeling less safe. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.

Dissociative Symptoms in Women with Histories of Intimate Partner Victimization: A Focus on Coercive Control

ABSTRACT Identifying and contrasting different patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) (e.g. situational couple violence, coercive controlling violence) is useful for understanding IPV and its connections with health. Applying this approach to dissociation may be fruitful, given theoretical perspectives that predict a specific connection between coercive controlling violence and dissociative symptoms. To address this, community women with divorce histories (N = 188) completed measures to identify patterns of IPV victimization in prior relationships (no direct violence, situational couple violence, coercive controlling violence), and to quantify recent dissociative symptoms and number of depressed days, for comparison. Contrary to predictions, the predicted odds of recent dissociative symptoms did not differ between women who experienced situational couple violence versus coercive controlling violence. However, the latter group had greater odds of recent dissociative symptoms, but not depressed days, compared to women with no histories of direct violence. Further, a continuous measure of coercive control was uniquely associated with increased odds of dissociative symptoms. This study provides preliminary empirical support for a connection between coercive controlling violence and dissociative symptoms, compared to women without histories of direct violence. This deserves further attention given the strong theoretical rationale for this link, and the importance of dissociation for mental health.

Presentation, treatment profiles, and outcome of snake bite patients presented in emergency department at a tertiary hospital in Eastern Nepal.

Snake bite is one of the most common animal bites in Nepal. Different species of snake cause different clinical presentations. The incidence of snakebite is very high in rural Nepal. The objectives were to assess the presenting pattern, demographic profile, outcome, and treatment profiles of snakebite victims admitted to the emergency ward. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted among the patients who presented in emergency department with alleged history of snake bites from 2015 to 2016. The patient's record files were reviewed and the relevant data were recorded on a self-designed proforma. Descriptive statistics were calculated using SPSS version 11.5. Out of 137 snakebite victims, 73 (53.3%) were female. The mean age was 35.17 ± 18.27 years. The upper limb (59%) was the most common site for snake bites followed by the lower limb (35.1%). Fifty patients (36.2%) were bitten by snakes during night (20.00-2.59 AM). Twenty-eight (20.4%) patients presented with ptosis as the most common sign and symptom followed by diplopia (15.3%). Out of 137 patients, 39 (28.5%) were admitted, 65 (47.4%) discharged, and 12 (8.8%) patients expired. Antisnake venom was given to 30 patients among which 23 patients (76.7%) were improved. Snake bite is one of the major problems in rural Nepal. It can be easily managed if treatment is given properly and in a timely manner. The importance of effective first aid management and effective treatment have to be disseminated among the peoples in rural areas via social media and radio.

Fraud victimization across the lifespan: evidence on repeat victimization using perpetrator data

ABSTRACT Older adults are thought to be more susceptible to scams, yet understanding the relationship between chronological age and victimization is limited by underreporting. This study avoids underreporting bias by merging four longitudinal databases of Americans (N = 1.33 million) who paid money in response to mail scams over 20 years. We investigate the risk of repeat victimization and victimization by multiple scam types over the life course. Victims in their 70s and 80s are 9% more likely to experience another victimization incident than those in their 50s. Those age 18 to 29 are 24% less likely to experience another victimization incident. Relative to adults in their 50s, the odds of victimization by multiple scams are greater for those in their 60s and 70s, but lower for those 80 + . This study demonstrates the research potential in using scammers’ data to understand patterns of victimization. Fraud prevention efforts should target older individuals who are at higher risk of repeat victimization and suffer greater losses as a result.

Stereotypical Victims: Visibility of #MeToo Disclosures on Twitter.

The #MeToo movement has brought greater visibility to the topic of sexual assault in public discourse. We analyzed a dataset of 1,070 Twitter #MeToo self-disclosures to examine the relationship between online visibility (retweets and favorites) and the content of victim-survivors' self-disclosures such as victim's gender, relationship to the perpetrator, and the emotions expressed in the tweet. The visibility of sexual assault self-disclosures was shaped by the extent to which they align with stereotypical misconceptions of victimization. These findings carry significant implications for understanding patterns of victimization, and for identifying whose voices are being amplified or not on Twitter.

Associations between forms of aggression and peer victimization: Does prosocial behavior matter?

Relatively little is known regarding factors that may mitigate the strength of the associations between forms of aggressive behavior and peer victimization. The goal of the current study was to investigate prosocial behavior as a moderator of these links over a 2-year period during middle childhood. Participants included 410 third-grade students (53% boys) and their homeroom teachers. Results indicated that prosocial behavior was associated with lower initial levels of victimization, whereas relational aggression was associated with higher initial levels of victimization. Physical aggression predicted more stable patterns of victimization over time, and prosocial behavior moderated the prospective link from relational aggression to peer victimization; specifically, relational aggression predicted decreases in victimization at higher levels of prosocial behavior and more stable patterns over time when levels of prosocial behavior were low. Further, gender differences were observed in the moderating effect of prosocial behavior on the prospective link from physical aggression to peer victimization, such that it served as a risk factor for boys and a protective factor for girls.

A Latent Transition Analysis of Aggression Victimization Patterns During the Transition from Primary to Middle School.

School transitions provide contexts for adolescents to reconstruct peer relationships and re-establish social positions. Scarce research has captured the transition of aggressor and victim roles during this period and examined associated factors. To investigate the stability and shifts of aggressor and victim roles following the transition to middle school, this study conducted latent transition analysis with 1261 Chinese adolescents (32.6% female, Mage in Grade 6 = 12.1 years, SD = 0.7). Three subgroups were identified across Grades 5 to 8: aggressive-victims, victims and uninvolved. Adolescents were more likely to transition from aggressive-victim and victim roles to the uninvolved group during the transition to middle school compared to the transitions within the same educational phase. Males and those with insecure parental attachment were at higher risk of being and remaining in the involved groups. The findings underscore the dynamic nature of adolescent aggression and victimization and highlight the transition to middle school as a critical window for interventions aimed at helping adolescents disengage from aggression and victimization.

DIGITAL DANGERS: TECHNOLOGY-FACILITATED ABUSE AMONG ADULTS AGE 50+

Abstract Older adults (age 50+ years) are adopting new technologies to increase their independence, prevent social isolation, and help them to age in place. However, digitalization introduces new risks for technology-facilitated abuse (TFA). TFA is any form of online abuse including threats, identity theft, financial fraud, among other forms of victimization. Limited research has explored TFA in general population samples among older adults in the U.S. With support from the U.S. Department of Justice, NORC at the University of Chicago conducted a survey of TFA experiences in a nationally representative sample of n=1,011 U.S. adults aged 50 years and older. Latent class analyses were applied to understand the pattern of older adults’ exposure to ten different forms of TFA, resulting in three classes distinguished by the number of different forms of TFA experienced. This session describes findings from the study, such as socio-economic characteristics associated with TFA profiles, the respondents’ relationship to the perpetrator, behaviors taken in response to TFA, and resulting harms. Among key findings are that six in 10 community-dwelling adults age 50+ have experienced at least one form of TFA in their lifetime. The most common forms of TFA experienced were financial abuses and identity theft. Different demographic groups of older adults experienced different victimization patterns. For example, those who identify as LGBQA were at a much higher risk of experiencing TFA. This session concludes with research and education opportunities for preventing TFA across multiple levels among older adults.

Identifying victimization clusters across people with intellectual disabilities: A latent class analysis

BackgroundResearch has shown high rates of victimization among people with intellectual disabilities (ID), but victimization clusters have been barely explored. ObjectiveWe address the gap by examining how reported victimization experiences are grouped into different classes and identifying differences in the characteristics of the individuals in each class. MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional self-report study with a sample of adults with an ID diagnosis (n = 260). We gathered data about the participants’ victimization experiences and socio-demographics, and then subjected the data to latent class analysis (LCA). ResultsThree different classes were detected: High victimization (n = 27, 10.4 %); medium victimization, low sexual (n = 97, 37.3 %); and low victimization (n = 136, 52.3 %). The results highlight the experiences of sexual and physical victimization among the high-victimization class, in which women are overrepresented, and physical victimization among the medium-victimization class. The study also found that experiences of assault and bias attacks occur to a varying extent across all three classes. The LCA and poly-victimization methods showed substantial agreement but also differences when identifying the most victimized participants. In addition, we detected significant differences between classes in gender, type of school attended, place of residence, legal incapacity, type of support needed, secondary disability and poly-victimization status. ConclusionWe identified distinct underlying ingroup patterns of victimization and sociodemographic inter-class differences that contribute to a better understanding of victimization within the population in question. The results have prevention and intervention implications for caregivers and providers of services for people with ID.

Pattern, Severity and Outcome of Injuries Sustained in Road Traffic Accidents: A Tertiary Care Hospital-Based Study

Introduction:Road Expansion and motorization, in the country has been accompanied by a rise in road accidents leading to road traffic injuries (RTIs). Today RTIs are one of the leading causes of deaths, disabilities, and hospitalizations with severe socioeconomic costs across the world. The aim of the study is to determine the pattern, severity and outcome of injuries amongst road traffic accident victims. Materials & Methods: An observational study was carried out at casualty department of Cumilla Medical College Hospital, from April 2020 to September 2020. Total 192 patients following RTIs were included in this study. After history taking, clinical examination and collection of investigation reports, data was analyzed by using SPSS-23. Results: Out of 192 patients, 33.3% of the patients belonged to age group 21-30 years, 71.4% were male. More than two third (67.2%) patients accident took place in high way and 62 (32.8%) in other areas. According to pattern of victims 111(57.8%) patients was found in pedestrian of victims, 48(25.0%) in driver and 33(17.2%) in passenger. In injury severity score, 98(51.0%) patients were found minor injuries followed by 57(29.7%) moderate, 22(11.5%) serious and 15(7.8%) severe injuries. Ninety (46.9%) patients were found transfer for definitive care followed by 52(27.1%) discharge after Rx, 30(15.6%) wound infection, 18(9.4%) referred to higher center and 2(1.0%) death. Conclusion: The present study shows that fatal accidents mainly affected the young adults in productive age groups and pedestrians. Highways were most commonly affected location. Most of the accidents caused by motorized vehicles. Medicine Today 2023 Vol.35(2): 109-113

Differences in patterns of sexual assault among female victims preceding and during the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of encounters in an emergency department

The aim of this study was to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic may have impacted the number and patterns of sexual assault victims within a German metropolitan city. A retrospective single center analysis of the gynecology examination reports of all women presenting to the emergency department of a university hospital after a sexual offense between 03/2013 and 02/2021 (n = 1167). Comparison of the first year of the pandemic 03/2000-03/2021) to previous years (03/2017-02/2020) and comparison of periods of government-imposed social distancing (03/12/2020-05/23/2020 and 10/23/2020-02/28/2021) with corresponding periods of pre-pandemic years. The overall number of sexual assault cases did not change during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, during the stay-at-home orders, the number of women presenting to the emergency department decreased by 38% (n=45 vs. 72). Fewer victims filed a police report during the pandemic (49.5% vs. 73.9%, p<0.001) and the lockdown period (50% vs. 76.5%, p<0.001). Less genital injuries after sexual assault were detected during the pandemic (14.3% vs. 25.2%, p<0.02), but there was an increase of illegal substance abuse (19.5% vs. 9.3%, p<0.003). During the stay-at-home orders fewer victims reported alcohol consumption (42.4% vs. 62.5 %, p<0.023). Despite the decrease in sexual offense related police reports, the number of sexual assault cases remained consistent, and the usage of illegal drugs increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings represent the importance of providing support to sexual assault victims, as well as the implementation of preventative measures, especially in times of crisis.

The relationships between peer victimization, hostile attribution bias, and revenge: A latent profile analysis

We explored possible patterns of peer victimization among middle school and high school students using latent profile analysis, and evaluated latent class differences in demographic characteristics and their associations with hostile attribution bias and revenge. We collected self-report questionnaire data from 14,271 Chinese middle school (grades 6–8) and high school (grades 9–11) students across 43 schools located in five provinces and autonomous regions. The results indicated that there were three latent classes of peer victimization with similar profile characteristics for middle school and high school students: the non/low-victimized class, the moderately victimized class, and the highly victimized class. The frequency of peer victimization was higher for students in the 8th and 10th grades than for those in the 11th grade. Boarding school students and left-behind students were more vulnerable to peer victimization. The more serious the peer victimization suffered by adolescents, the higher was their hostile attribution bias and desire for revenge.

Multicenter assessment of impairments and disabilities associated with Beirut blast injuries: a retrospective review of hospital medical records

ObjectivesThis study aims to describe the injury patterns of the Beirut blast victims and assess hospitals’ disaster management and preparedness during the 2020 Beirut port blast.MethodsA cross-sectional retrospective multicenter study...

Economic Hardship Predicts Intimate Partner Violence Victimization During Pregnancy.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is associated with negative physical and mental health consequences for both mothers and infants. Economic hardship is often exacerbated during pregnancy and is associated with increased rates of IPV in non-pregnant samples. However, temporal associations between economic hardship and IPV victimization have not been well characterized during pregnancy. The present study used data collected at the weekly level to examine the interindividual and intraindividual effects of economic hardship on IPV victimization during pregnancy and determine whether longitudinal changes in IPV across pregnancy vary based on level of economic hardship. Two hundred ninety-four women reported on weekly experiences of IPV and economic hardship (i.e., food insecurity and other money problems) during weeks 17-40 of pregnancy. Participants were oversampled for low income and IPV exposure. Binary logistic multilevel models were used to test study hypotheses. Greater economic hardship on average during pregnancy predicted increased odds of IPV victimization. Within-person increases in economic hardship also predicted increased odds of IPV victimization in the same week. Although IPV victimization tended to decrease on average over the course of pregnancy, there was a significant time by economic hardship interaction such that IPV decreased more gradually for women reporting high levels of economic hardship. The present study examined weekly patterns of IPV victimization across pregnancy in a low-income community sample. Results suggest that policies aimed at increasing families' economic security during the perinatal period may reduce the individual and societal burden of IPV.