Victims Of Physical Assault Research Articles

Practice of community-service doctors in the assessment and medico-legal documentation of common physical assault cases

Background: In South Africa, allegations of physical assault are managed primarily at the primary healthcare level, where they are attended to by medical officers or community service doctors (CSDs). However, reports that the knowledge and skills provided at undergraduate level are not sufficient to equip these CSDs to deal with evidence in medico-legal examinations in various settings, including in cases of patients who allege being the victims of common physical assault or assault with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, have been documented in the literature. This study investigates the practice of CSDs in relation to the assessment and medico-legal documentation of allegations of common assault, with a view to identifying gaps in their knowledge of clinical forensic medicine.Method: The study was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A questionnaire with quantitative sections that used an adapted Likert scale was used to gather data. An electronic survey tool was employed to target 150 CSDs country...

Longitudinal Relationship between Self-efficacy and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms 8 Years after a Violent Assault: An Autoregressive Cross-Lagged Model.

Self-efficacy is assumed to promote posttraumatic adaption, and several cross-sectional studies support this notion. However, there is a lack of prospective longitudinal studies to further illuminate the temporal relationship between self-efficacy and posttraumatic stress symptoms. Thus, an important unresolved research question is whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms affect the level of self-efficacy or vice versa or whether they mutually influence each other. The present prospective longitudinal study investigated the reciprocal relationship between general self-efficacy (GSE) and posttraumatic stress symptoms in 143 physical assault victims. We used an autoregressive cross-lagged model across four assessment waves: within 4 months after the assault (T1) and then 3 months (T2), 12 months (T3) and 8 years (T4) after the first assessment. Stress symptoms at T1 and T2 predicted subsequent self-efficacy, while self-efficacy at T1 and T2 was not related to subsequent stress symptoms. These relationships were reversed after T3; higher levels of self-efficacy at T3 predicted lower levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms at T4, while posttraumatic tress symptoms at T3 did not predict self-efficacy at T4. In conclusion, posttraumatic stress symptoms may have a deteriorating effect on self-efficacy in the early phase after physical assault, whereas self-efficacy may promote recovery from posttraumatic stress symptoms over the long term.

"Every Time I Try to Get Out, I Get Pushed Back": The Role of Violent Victimization in Women's Experience of Multiple Episodes of Homelessness.

Research shows that, for most people, homelessness is not a chronic state that one enters and never leaves. Instead, homelessness tends to be dynamic, with individuals cycling in and out of multiple periods of homelessness throughout their lives. Despite this recognition, and a wealth of research on the causes of homelessness, generally, there is a lack of scholarship on the pathways to multiple episodes of homelessness. In particular, the relationship between violent victimization and women's likelihood of being homeless multiple times is largely unexplored. Drawing on data collected from 269 structured interviews conducted with women using the services of homeless shelters and/or transitional housing in three U.S. and two U.K. cities, we use multivariate logistic regression to assess whether violent victimization increases women's likelihood of experiencing multiple episodes of homelessness. Our results show that adult victims of stranger-perpetrated physical assault are significantly more likely to be homeless on multiple occasions. In addition, those who experience multiple forms of victimization (e.g., physical and sexual abuse) in childhood, adulthood, and/or across the life course are significantly more likely to experience multiple episodes of homelessness. Given recent efforts to eradicate homelessness, our results suggest specific vulnerable groups that may benefit from targeted social and policy interventions.

Intentional Head Injury: Survivor Victim's Profile, Gender Differences and Role of Alcohol Use at Manipal Teaching Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal

IntroductionHead is a vulnerable area in human body and also a favorable site for assaults which is easily accessible by assailant's raised arms. ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the socio demographic spectrum, severity, radiological findings and outcome of victims assaulted to the head. Furthermore, the study aims to correlate such findings to the role of alcohol use in Nepalese context. MethodologyThis longitudinal prospective study includes victims of traumatic head injury as a result of physical assault who were admitted in the Neurosurgery Unit of Manipal Teaching Hospital Pokhara, Nepal from 1st January to 31st December 2015. ResultsIntentional head injury accounted to 17.40% of all head injury cases admitted during the study period. Among them 48 (76.19%) were males and 15 (23.81%) were females. The minimum age of the patient was 15 years and maximum was 84 years with a mean age of 33.89±14.67 years. Most of the victims of physical assault belonged to the age group of 21 to 30 years. Blunt object was the most commonly used for assault. Loss of consciousness was associated only with 49.21% of cases and 14.29% cases had bleeding from ear and/or nose. More than 75% of the cases had significant radiological finding in the form of fracture and/or intracranial lesion. Majority of the victims during the study were treated conservatively and were discharged with advice. Alcohol use was involved in 36.51% cases of intentional head injuries. ConclusionIntentional injuries under the influence of alcohol use are totally preventable public health concerns. It can be ascertained that reducing availability and improving the environment in which alcohol is sold and consumed can result in a dramatic reduction in violent crimes.Birat Journal of Health Sciences Vol.2/No.1/Issue 2/ Jan - April 2017, Page: 102-105

Workplace violence and the meaning of work in healthcare workers: A phenomenological study.

Workplace violence (WPV) has been associated with turnover intentions and reduced job satisfaction, yet the mechanisms behind such associations are still nebulous. Studying the way people make sense of their work in the context of WPV could lead to a better understanding of its consequences. The objective of this exploratory study is to identify key features of meaning of work (MOW) in a group of healthcare workers and explain how these features can change following an act of WPV. Researchers recruited 15 healthcare workers (11 women - 4 men) who had previously been the victim of a serious physical or sexual assault by a patient. A phenomenological approach was used. Two main themes were identified: MOW and relationships with others and MOW and relationship with the self. WPV might have the potential to trigger negative changes in the way some workers perceive their colleagues, their patients and their organisation. It can also interfere with their sense of self-accomplishment; all workers however, were still able to find positive meaning in 'contribution' and 'autonomy'. WPV has the potential to change certain aspects of MOW that could help explain why WPV is associated with lowered job satisfaction, compassion fatigue, and higher turnover. Also, finding meaning through contribution and autonomy can be a form of resilience.

Victimizations of Mexican youth (12–17 years old): A 2014 national survey

Victimization of Mexican youth (aged 12–17) has received little attention compared to that of adults. Using the 2014 Social Survey on Social Cohesion for the Prevention of Violence and Delinquency, we examine prevalence and types of victimization; describe the characteristics of incidents in terms of relationship with perpetrator(s) and places where took place; and study significant correlates of forms of victimization and poly-victimization. During 2014 alone, more than 2.8 million minors were victims of bullying, cyberbullying, theft, sexual abuse, physical assault, threats, robbery, or extortion. About 10% of these were poly-victims-experienced at least four different types of victimization by at least four types of perpetrators. Youth tended to be victimized by people in their inner circle. The factors associated with victimization tended to vary by victimization type, but proximity to crime and peer delinquency increased the risk of experiencing all types of victimization. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

RESILIENCIA EN ADOLESCENTES VÍCTIMAS DE VIOLENCIA ESCOLAR

Abstract.RESILIENCE IN ADOLESCENT VICTIMS OF SCHOOL VIOLENCE.The relationship between resilient provisions and situations of victimization in Mexican adolescents was analyzed. The sample consisted of 798 adolescents; 444 men (55.6 %) and 354 women (44.4 %), high school students, aged between 11 and 17 years (Mean = 13.34, SD = .961). A questionnaire was used to measure the resilient provisions and one to measure situations of victimization. The results show that men are victims of physical assault and damage to property, while women are more victims of verbal aggression and social exclusion. In addition, women are perceived more resilient than men in several dimensions of this variable. Finally, a negative and highly significant correlation between situations of global victimization and overall resilience, positive attitude and self-efficacy was identified. The results appear to be associated with the culturally assigned gender roles; also, the importance of resilient capacities in situations of school violence is highlighted.Keywords: bullying; victimización; resilienciaResumen.Se analizó la relación entre las disposiciones resilientes y las situaciones de victimización en adolescentes mexicanos; 444 hombres (55.6%) y 354 mujeres (44.4%), estudiantes de secundaria, con edades entre los 11 y 17 años (Media=13.34; D.T.=.961). Se aplicó un cuestionario, para medir las disposiciones resilientes y otro para medir las situaciones de victimización. Los resultados muestran que los hombres son más víctimas de agresión física y daños a la propiedad, mientras que, las mujeres son más víctimas de agresión verbal y exclusión social. Además, las mujeres se perciben más resilientes que los hombres en varias de las dimensiones de esta variable. Por último, se identificó una correlación negativa y altamente significativa entre situaciones de victimización global y resiliencia global, actitud positiva y autoeficacia. Los resultados parecen asociarse a los roles de género asignados culturalmente; asimismo, se destaca la importancia de las capacidades resilientes ante situaciones de violencia escolar.Palabras clave: bullying; victimización; resiliencia

Victimization of Emerging Adults with Histories of Child Maltreatment Allegations: A National Study

The National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being (NSCAW II) has followed children from Child Protective Service (CPS) investigation into emerging adulthood. How these emerging adults compare to national peers in measures of well-being and criminal victimization are of major interest in determining whether CPS-investigated youth are more vulnerable than the general population. Methods used included a subsample of 311 young adults aged 18–21 who were surveyed 36 months following a CPS investigation when they were adolescents. This study focuses on adult self-reported past-year robbery and physical assault victimization. The data were presented with descriptive statistics and bivariate comparisons to provide a brief examination of current well-being, along with a logistic regression analysis that examined the odds of past-year victimization by a variety of demographic and environmental characteristics. Findings indicate that more than 1-in-10 emerging adults (12 %) reported being robbed in the previous year, and 8 % reported being physically assaulted. This is 3 and 24 times greater odds than the national average for physical assault and robbery respectively. Odds of past-year robbery and assault were greater if the respondent lacked a high school diploma, was living with a romantic partner or roommate compared to living with parents, or expressed difficulty making ends meet financially. These findings demonstrate that emerging adults with a history of child welfare involvement are reporting high rates of robbery and physical assault victimization. Although previous studies have only focused on youth aging out of foster care, these rates indicate that any youth from a family with a history of child welfare involvement may be at risk for future victimization after they turn 18.

Need for Specialized Support Services for Nurse Victims of Physical Assault by Psychiatric Patients

Assault of nurses in the psychiatric setting is an ongoing global concern. In a prior study by these authors, many nurses reported concern about the lack of supportive interventions offered to nurses after the assault event. These nurses reported ongoing psychosocial and emotional disturbance consistent with symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. A follow-up study was done to investigate the perceived need of assaulted nurses for specialized support groups to assist them in dealing with the experience. A quantitative, cross sectional survey descriptive research design was done to assess assaulted nurses’ perceived need for specialized support groups. The survey also gathered data relating to the reporting of the assault. A qualitative narrative section was added to gather data that might have been missed in the quantitative segment. The sample consisted of 57 previously assaulted nurses currently working at multiple acute care sites. Study findings showed that if specialized support groups were available, 57% of the nurses might be interested in attending these, and 41% would be interested in attending these. These nurses also reported multiple signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. Considering the serious negative impact of assault on nurses and their desire for follow-up support, there is a need for the availability of supportive services.

Nonlinear relationship between income, age and criminal victimization in Brazil

Abstract This study was mainly intended to investigate the effects of the income and age of individuals on their risk of becoming victims of physical assault, theft, robbery and attempted theft or robbery. Specifically, we were looking for evidence for a nonlinear relationship between these variables and victimization risk. Data from a national victimization survey were used to estimate victimization probability models. We found that, except for robbery and physical assault, the relationship between personal income and victimization risk has an inverted-U shape. We also found an inverted U-shape relationship between the age of individuals and victimization risk for the four types of crimes analyzed.

Spousal abuse in married women with suicidal attempt in Shiraz, Iran

IntroductionEpidemiological studies revealed that 21 to 34 percent of women around the world have been victim of physical assault by their spouse and spouse abuse have been more prevalent in developing countries.ObjectivesThe most common form of violence against women is spousal abuse which is a dangerous factor and leads to serious psychological damages while it is one of the most important causes of suicide in married women.AimsThe study of factors related to spousal abuse in the population where they attempt to suicide is important for recognizing it and preventing spousal abuse, consequently, preventing suicide.MethodsThe study was conducted cross-sectional on 360 married women who attempted suicide and referred to Shoshtari Hospital in Shiraz. Instruments for data collection comprised of about spousal abuse questionnaire and demographic cases questionnaire which were filled through interview.ResultsA total of 43.9% of domestic violence prevalence, 61.7% of economic violence, 45.3% of psychological violence, 38.1% of social violence, 38.1% physical violence, 35.9% of sexual violence was reported. There was a relation between spousal abuse and some factors such as: age difference between spouses, wife and husband's education, husband's substance abuse, husband's medical illness, wife's psychiatry disorder, spouses’ obligatory marriage, polygamy and husband's job.ConclusionsConsidering relatively high prevalence of spousal abuse in people who attempted suicide and the relation between some demographic factors with violence, besides regarding spousal abuse as one causes of suicide, the women's screening, particularly those who attempt suicide in regard to spousal abuse and its related factors seems necessary.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

A study on the victims of assaults in Matara

Introduction About 3000 victims are referred for medico-legal examination following physical hurt to the office of the Judicial Medical Officer (JMO) -General hospital Matara, every year. They include victims of physical assault, sexual assault, accidental injuries, suspects of different crimes etc. Objective Routine data pertaining to victims of alleged assault were analyzed to find out the demographic distribution of victims and to describe the medico-legal aspects of injuries. Materials and Methods All the trauma cases (2820) referred to the JMO’s office General hospital Matara, from 1 st of January 2012 to 1 st st of December 2012 was analyzed. Result Total number of trauma cases was 2820. Out of this 1381(48%) were due to alleged assaults. Sixty seven percent were males. There were 339 victims between 21-30 years and 326 victims between 31-40 years. 307 assaults had taken place between 2pm to 6pm and 510 between 6pm to 10pm. 1242 assailants were known to the victim. Among the known assailants, 231 were relatives. 1195 were blunt force injuries and 186 were sharp force injuries. The commonest form of injury was abrasion (666) and the commonest site of injury was face (521). Category of hurt was non grievous in 1023, grievous in 305, endangering life in 38 and fatal in the ordinary cause of nature in 15. Conclusions Blunt force was the commonest form of assault (86%). As expected, adults 21 to 50 years of age (67%), males (67%) were the main victims of assaults. Majority of the victims had injuries and out of that abrasion was the commonest form of injury. Most of the incidents had taken place between 2pm to 10pm (59%) and the highest between 6pm to 10pm (36%). Majority of injuries were caused by a person known to the victim (90%). Medico-Legal Journal of Sri Lanka 2014; 2(2) : 29-32

When are victims unlikely to cooperate with the police?

Data from the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) are used to examine the tendency for victims of physical assault, sexual assault, and robbery to refuse to cooperate with the police (N= 3,856,171). Analyses of physical assaults involving homosexual and heterosexual couples did not support the hypothesis that women attacked by their male partners are less likely to cooperate than victims of other assaults. Analyses of violent offenses more generally showed that victims of violence were more likely to refuse to cooperate if they knew the offender in any way than if the offender was a stranger. In the case of physical and sexual assault, these effects were mainly observed for minor incidents. Finally, victims of sexual assault were more likely to cooperate with the police than victims of physical assault. The findings suggest the importance of comparing the victim's reactions to intimate partner violence and sexual assault to their reactions to other offenses.

Healthcare Utilization, Legal Incidents, and Victimization Following Traumatic Brain Injury in Homeless and Vulnerably Housed Individuals

To characterize the associations between a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and subsequent healthcare utilization, legal involvement, and victimization. Three major Canadian cities. A total of 1181 homeless and vulnerably housed adults who were single and 18 years or older. Data for 968 participants (82%) were available at 1-year follow-up. Prospective cohort study. Data were collected using structured, in-person interviews at baseline in 2009 and approximately 1 year after baseline. Self-reported TBI, 12-item Short Form Health Survey, healthcare, and criminal justice use questionnaires. The lifetime prevalence of TBI was 61%. A history of TBI was independently associated with emergency department (ED) use [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-1.96], being arrested or incarcerated (AOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.3-2.48) and being a victim of physical assault (AOR = 2.81, 95% CI: 1.96-4.03) during the 1-year follow-up period. Homeless and vulnerably housed individuals with a lifetime history of TBI are more likely to be ED users, arrested or incarcerated, and victims of physical assault over a 1-year follow-up period even after adjustment for health status and other confounders. These findings have public health and criminal justice implications and highlight the need for effective screening, treatment, and rehabilitation for TBI in this population.

Posterior Traumatic Atlantoaxial Subluxation: A Case Report

Introduction Injuries to the cervical spine are often described as neurologically catastrophic events with a very low survival rate. Lesions of the C3–C7 segment are the most common (∼ 80%) followed by the segment C1–C2 (20%). Injuries to the cervical spine are of great importance, both for its severity as well as the neurological implications they entail. The delay in diagnosis and treatment has been reported as a negative prognostic factor associated with poor outcome. Cases of atlantoaxial dislocations have been reported without neurological deficit at presentation and in long-term follow-up so these injuries could be unnoticed at the emergency department. When neurological damage is not evident at presentation symptoms are generally unspecific, such as, suboccipital pain when axial cranial pressure is applied movement, or at passive rotation the patient spontaneously assumes a stiff neck, contracting sternocleidomastoid and trapezius muscles. Materials and Methods A 28-year-old male patient without relevant medical history was a victim of physical assault on August 15, 2012, suffering cranial and cervical trauma, and was discharged, he showed no neurological symptoms then. Six weeks after discharge, he began with paresthesias of thoracic limbs and subsequently with diminished muscle strength, which was gradually decreasing. Imaging demonstrated atlantoaxial subluxation. Posterior instrumentation with transfacetary lag screws at C1/C2 was performed. Results One year after surgery, the patient presents without neurological deficit, absence of stiff neck and denies pain when mobilization of the neck or axial compression is applied. Fusion was achieved with no further complications. Conclusion The diagnosis of traumatic subluxation should be suspected in the presence of torticollis and neck pain associated with cervical trauma. However, atlantoaxial dislocation can occur in the absence of any clinical signs so it should be systematically considered as a diagnosis an should be excluded in any polytraumatized. We suggest that simple radiographic measurements (ADI and Powers Index). When the instability of the C1/C2 joint is diagnosed, early reduction, and fusion is recommended as the definitive treatment.

Violent Victimization in the Prison Context: An Examination of the Gendered Contexts of Prison.

Currently there are few published, multilevel studies of physical assault victimization of prisoners. This study builds on the extant research by utilizing a nationally representative sample of correctional facilities (n = 326) and inmates (n = 17,640) to examine the impacts of a large set of theoretically and empirically derived individual- and contextual-level variables on prison victimization, including how the gendered context of prison impacts victimization. Results support the lifestyles/routine activities approach. Inmates who were charged with a violent offense, were previously victimized, were smaller in size, were not married, were without a work assignment, misbehaved, did not participate in programs, used alcohol or drugs, and those who had a depression or personality disorder were more likely to be victimized. In addition, the data suggest that 8% of the variance in victimization is due to the prison context. Prisons with high proportions of violent offenders, males, inmates from multiracial backgrounds, and inmates with major infractions had increased odds of victimization. Moreover, the sex-composition of the prison has significant main and interactive effects predicting victimization. Specifically, we find that the effects of being convicted of a drug crime, drug use, military service, major infractions, and diagnosed personality disorders are all gendered in their impacts on victimization.

Intimate partner violence: a study in men and women from six European countries.

We aimed to assess intimate partner violence (IPV) among men and women from six cities in six European countries. Four IPV types were measured in a population-based multicentre study of adults (18-64years; n=3,496). Sex- and city-differences in past year prevalence were examined considering victims, perpetrators or both and considering violent acts' severity and repetition. Male victimization of psychological aggression ranged from 48.8% (Porto) to 71.8% (Athens) and female victimization from 46.4% (Budapest) to 70.5% (Athens). Male and female victimization of sexual coercion ranged from 5.4 and 8.9%, respectively, in Budapest to 27.1 and 25.3% in Stuttgart. Male and female victims of physical assault ranged from 9.7 and 8.5%, respectively, in Porto, to 31.2 and 23.1% in Athens. Male victims of injury were 2.7% in Östersund and 6.3% in London and female victims were 1.4% in Östersund and 8.5% in Stuttgart. IPV differed significantly across cities (p<0.05). Men and women predominantly experienced IPV as both victims and perpetrators with few significant sex-differences within cities. Results support the need to consider men and women as both potential victims and perpetrators when approaching IPV.

Individual and Structural Opportunities

Opportunity theories are suited to cross-national research on victimization that incorporates a multilevel approach. Comparative research on non-lethal victimization often combines several types of violence into a single category of expressive crime. While expressive crimes do indeed share some characteristics, opportunities leading to specific types of victimization may vary. The current research uses the International Crime Victimization Survey (ICVS) to examine two types of expressive victimization: sexual and physical assault. These data are limited to female victims, as sexual assault in the ICVS is assessed only for females. These data provide a rich source of comparative information on opportunities leading to victimization. Opportunities have been traditionally examined at the individual level through routine activities and lifestyles theories. Opportunity at the structural level of analysis is less commonly employed; however, routine activities theory offers a framework for measuring structural opportunity. The results indicate a multilevel approach of opportunities on victimization is appropriate. Differences in opportunity leading to sexual and physical assault are most evident in the opportunities provided by the development level of the country. The impact of country development on physical assault victimization is moderated by the involvement in leisure activities outside of the home.

Dangerous Climates

Although hundreds of American college students are the victims of bias-motivated verbal and physical assaults every year, little research explores whether there is a systematic pattern to the hate crimes that occur on college campuses. In this article, we study why some campuses experience more racist hate crimes than do others. We explore how campus demographics, tuition increases, and the presence of fraternities influence reported hate crime incidence. Through a statistical analysis of the hate crimes reported to the FBI by 349 colleges, we find that ethnic-/racial-bias hate crimes are more likely to be reported on predominantly White college campuses and those that have a large Greek population. We contribute to theory on hate crime by illustrating some of the social characteristics that make hate crime more likely in certain geographic areas than others.

Contamination Aversion and Posttraumatic Stress Symptom Severity Following Sexual Trauma

Contamination concerns have been linked to increased posttraumatic stress symptoms. The present study offered a preliminary test of the roles of domain-specific contamination aversions in posttraumatic stress. Fifty women with a history of sexual or physical assault were recruited from the community and assessed for posttraumatic stress symptom severity and individual differences in mental contamination, direct contamination aversion [aversion to normative contaminants (e.g., garbage)], indirect contamination aversion [aversion to perceived contaminants (e.g., handrails)], and symptoms of contamination-based obsessive–compulsive disorder. We observed large and significant relations between posttraumatic stress symptoms and all forms of contamination fears and aversions among participants reporting sexual trauma, but minimal and non-significant relations among victims of physical assault. Exploratory tests revealed that the effects of basic contamination aversions on posttraumatic stress symptom severity were largely mediated by mental contamination. The present study suggests that contamination fears and aversions (i.e., normal or perceived) are highly related to posttraumatic stress symptoms among sexual trauma victims and highlights the importance of assessing and targeting feelings and evaluations related to contamination when treating posttraumatic stress symptoms among sexual trauma victims.