Physical Violence Perpetration Research Articles

Disentangling the effects of self-control and the use of tobacco and cannabis on violence perpetration from childhood to early adulthood.

Associations among self-control, substance use (e.g., tobacco and cannabis use), and violence perpetration have been documented during the adolescent years, but the direction of these associations is not well understood. Using five assessments (covering 9 years) from a prospective-longitudinal study, we examined self-control as a precursor and subsequent mechanism of associations between adolescent substance use and physical violence perpetration. Data came from a large, ethnically diverse sample (n = 1,056). Youth reported their self-control at ages 11, 13, 15, 17, and 20; and their tobacco and cannabis use, and physical violence perpetration at ages 13, 15, 17, and 20. Cross-lagged panel analyses examined associations between these constructs over time. More self-control in late childhood and early adolescence was associated with less future tobacco and cannabis use and physical violence perpetration. Tobacco use was partially associated with more physical violence over time; these associations were not mediated by self-control. Tobacco use in early adolescence was associated with future cannabis use; during late adolescence, tobacco and cannabis use were reciprocally associated over time. Cannabis use was not associated with future physical violence perpetration. Early adolescent self-control plays an important role in later substance use and violence perpetration, and tobacco use has unique links with both later cannabis use and violence perpetration. Supporting the capacities for self-control in late childhood and early adolescence and preventing the initiation and use of entry-level substances could play an important role in preventing both substance use and violence perpetration and their many costs to society.

Effectiveness of the myPlan Teen App, a Digital Healthy Relationship and Safety Planning Intervention With Adolescent Aged 15–17 Years

PurposeTo determine the effectiveness of myPlan Teen app compared to usual care on the use of helpful safety behaviors, dating violence victimization and perpetration, depression, and suicide behavior. MethodsA longitudinal randomized clinical trial with 617 adolescents randomized to myPlan Teen or usual care. Participants in both groups completed surveys using validated measures at baseline, 3, 6-, and 12-months post-baseline. The study analysis examined the difference between the intervention and control groups in change over time in outcomes. ResultsmyPlan Teen significantly increased the use and helpfulness of safety behaviors among adolescents compared to the control group. Intervention users also significantly reduced the perpetration of physical and sexual violence and suicide behaviors. Although both groups experienced decreases in victimization and depression over the 12 months, the differences were not significantly different by group. DiscussionmyPlan Teen, a digitally delivered intervention, is one of the few interventions targeting dating violence in adolescence that has proven effective.

Dating Violence Victimization, Perpetration and Suicidality Among Adolescents

ABSTRACT Few studies have focused on evaluating the relationship between dating violence (DV) and suicide during the critical period of adolescence, particularly for transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) youth. The study examined the relationship between experiencing DV victimization and perpetration in the past 6 months and suicidality (ideation and attempts) among male, female, and TGD adolescents. This study used data from a longitudinal randomized trial examining the effectiveness of myPlan, a healthy relationship and safety planning app intervention for adolescents, to a control website. Data for this study was collected virtually, in which participants completed surveys through online platforms. A convenience sample was recruited through youth organizations and posting on online platforms including social media. N = 610 adolescents age 15–17 years, who resided in the U.S. experienced DV in the past 6 months, had access to a safe device, and were able to access online surveys were included in this study. The majority were female (63.8%) with (19.5%) TGD and 16.7% male. Nearly 22% of the sample identified as Hispanic/Latino and 61.0% as white. Participants completed an online survey consisting of measures of socio demographics, DV victimization and perpetration via the Conflict of Adolescent Dating Relationships Inventory (CADRI), and suicidality. The primary outcome was the association between DV victimization and perpetration on suicidality. Different forms of DV were accounted for including emotional/relational, physical, and sexual DV. Logistic regressions determined differences in the rate of DV victimization and perpetration on suicidality between gender groups (cisgender female, cisgender male, and TGD). A stratified analysis was conducted to test if the relationship between DV and suicidality differed across gender identity. Approximately one-third (32.2%) of adolescents reported suicidality in the past 6 months. TGD adolescents were more likely to report suicidality compared to males (20.6%, p < .05) and females (32.7%, p > .05). The overall odds of suicidality increased as frequency of emotional/relational DV victimization (OR = 1.37, p < .001), physical DV victimization (OR = 1.59, p < .001) and sexual DV victimization (OR = 1.42, p < .001) increased. These relationships were not significant for DV perpetration. When stratifying findings by gender groups, all forms of DV victimization significantly increased the odds of suicidality for females as well as female perpetration of physical violence. For males, all forms of DV victimization and perpetration were associated with increased odds of suicidality, although not significant due to the smaller sample size. While DV victimization is associated with increased odds of suicidality for TGD, perpetration of DV is associated with decreased odds of suicidality, although not significant due to small sample size. The findings from this study provide further insight into experiences of DV and suicidality among gender diverse youth and can guide future interventions aimed at preventing DV and suicide among adolescents.

Child Abuse Exposure, Internalizing and Externalizing Trauma Sequelae, and Partner Violence Perpetration Among Young Adult Men

ABSTRACT Partner violence is a major public health concern. Theory and research connect exposure to abuse in childhood to partner violence in adulthood. The present study examined internalizing and externalizing trauma sequelae as mediators in the association between child abuse exposure and adult partner violence perpetration. Young U.S. adult men (N = 423) completed background measures assessing exposure to psychological, physical, and sexual child abuse, internalizing (symptoms of anxiety and depression) and externalizing (problems with anger and alcohol use) sequelae, psychological and physical partner violence perpetration, and follow‐up assessments regarding sexual violence perpetration over the course of 3 months. Negative binomial regression showed that problems with anger mediated the associations between child psychological abuse exposure and adult psychological violence perpetration and between child physical abuse exposure and adult psychological violence perpetration. Problems from alcohol use mediated the associations between child psychological abuse exposure and adult psychological, physical, and sexual violence perpetration. Although child abuse exposure was associated with internalizing sequelae, none of the indirect effects from child abuse exposure to adult violence perpetration via internalizing sequelae were statistically significant. These findings add to the extant literature supporting an intergenerational transmission of violence and underscore that men who experience trauma early in life may attempt to cope with such experiences via maladaptive acting out behaviors. Partner violence interventions may benefit from incorporating strategies that address trauma and provide healthy alternatives for coping with distress.

Thoughts of self-harm in adolescents: Relationship with violence in the Dominican Republic.

Violence against adolescents is a pressing health problem with long-term implications for future physical and mental well-being, such as thoughts of self-harm, which have been associated with suicidal ideation and completion. However, much of the research has been conducted only in high-income countries. This study aimed to examine the correlation between violence against adolescents and self-harm thoughts in La Romana, Dominican Republic (DR). Cross-sectional survey data was collected at a community-based clinic from participants aged 13-20. Participants were recruited through the clinic's adolescent program and peer referral, and verbal consent was obtained. A survey solicited information about each participant's demographics, experiences with violence, and thoughts of harm to self or others. The survey was completed by 49 adolescents. The mean age was 16.78 (SD 2.34); 65% were female. We performed t-tests and Fisher's exact to investigate the relationship between demographics, reported violence experiences and having self-harm thoughts. About half (45%) had experienced physical violence, 76% had experienced emotional violence, and 12% had experienced sexual violence. The most common perpetrators of physical and emotional violence were classmates (12% and 24%), and the most common perpetrator of sexual violence was an ex-partner (4.1%). Ten participants (20.4%) had thought about harming themselves. Self-harm thoughts were significantly associated with being female (p = 0.025), employed (p = 0.05), and to a higher number of experiences of physical (0.029) and sexual violence (p = 0.023). The results of this study suggest a high prevalence of both violence and self-harm thoughts in adolescents in the DR. Interventions that address physical and sexual violence against adolescents may be particularly important. Particular attention should also be paid to screening for self-harm thoughts in female-identifying adolescents. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between violence and self-harm thoughts in adolescents in the DR.

Dating Violence and Mental Health in Emerging Adulthood.

Dating violence constitutes a serious social and health problem. This study aims to increase knowledge on dating violence in emerging adulthood by analysing the relevance of gender and of having or not having a current partner in the victimization and perpetration of such violence. It also analyses the association between dating violence and mental health, as well as the relevance of traditional gender role attitudes and the internalization of feminine/expressive and masculine/instrumental traits in the victimization and perpetration of such types of violence. The participants were 930 Spanish emerging adults who were assessed by six self-report questionnaires and scales. Men reported more psychological and physical violence victimization and physical violence perpetration than women, and women and men without a current partner reported more psychological and sexual violence than women and men with a current partner. Dating violence victimization was associated with more mental symptomatology, less life satisfaction, and lower self-esteem in men with a current partner and in women without a current partner. The main predictor of dating violence victimization was dating violence perpetration, and the main predictor of dating violence perpetration was victimization by such violence. More traditional gender role attitudes also predicted greater victimization and perpetration of dating violence, except among women without a current partner.

Law Enforcement Against The Perpetrator of Physical Violence in The Healthcare Service Environment

Health workers often experience physical violence in carrying out their work. The research aims to determine the extent to which legal protection applies to health workers. The data used in this research was taken from several hospitals and other health services. The method used is a case study with a qualitative approach involving several parties involved in implementing legal protection for health workers. Legal protection for health workers who experience physical violence while working in health services is regulated in several laws, namely Law Number 36 of 2014 concerning Health, Law Number 29 of 2004 concerning Medical Practice, Law Number 38 of 2014 about health. Nursing, Law Number 4 of 2014 concerning Midwifery. Apart from that, there are still many obstacles and challenges in its implementation. In conclusion, legal protection for health workers who experience physical violence in carrying out their duties in the health service environment is very important and must be provided firmly.

Prevalence of Violence Victimization and Perpetration During Middle and High School in Underresourced, Urban Communities.

This study describes rates of violence victimization, perpetration, and witnessing in 6th-11th grade for a multisite sample (N = 3,466) of predominantly Black and Hispanic middle- and high-school students from urban areas with high rates of crime and economic disadvantage. Students completed surveys in middle and high school assessing teen dating violence, stalking, sexual violence and harassment, bullying, cyberbullying, and physical violence perpetration and victimization, as well as witnessing violence. The highest prevalence rates are observed most often in 8th or 9th grade. Youth reported high rates of witnessing serious assault and severe community violence throughout adolescence. These findings suggest that efforts to prevent violence among youth living in under-resourced communities need to start early and address community-level socioeconomic disparities.

Кримінальна відповідальність за домашне насильство

The peculiarities of criminal liability for domestic violence are considered. It was noted that in many countries, for a long time, violence in the family was not considered a crime, but was considered a form of appropriate behavior. In the 90s of the last century, views regarding the phenomenon of violence against women, which was recognized as a socio-gender problem, changed radically, during which a new vision of it was opened in terms of gender law. Therefore, the issue of gender balance and combating discrimination based on sex has gained wide popularity in all developed countries of the world. As a result, on December 20, 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted the "Declaration on the Eradication of Violence against Women", then on August 1, 2014, the Council of Europe Convention "On preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence", known as Istanbul Convention. The main purpose of which was to declare the protection and support of women who suffered from all types of violence and the eradication of the latter in general. It has been analyzed that this problem is typical for Ukrainian society as well. Today, overcoming violence in the family is one of the priority tasks of the legal state, which is also recognized as Ukraine. Ukraine signed the Istanbul Convention on November 7, 2011, but only on June 20, 2022, the Verkhovna Rada supported the ratification of this convention. At the end of 2017, Article was introduced into the Criminal Code of Ukraine. 126-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine "Domestic violence", which entered into force on January 1, 2019. In this article, domestic violence is defined as the intentional systematic perpetration of physical, psychological or economic violence against a spouse or ex-spouse or another person with whom the perpetrator is (was) in a family or close relationship, which leads to physical or psychological suffering, health disorders , loss of work capacity, emotional dependence or deterioration of the victim's quality of life. It is noted that the legislation of Ukraine in the field of combating domestic violence enshrines four forms of violence: physical, sexual, psychological and economic. According to the current legislation, persons who have committed domestic violence are criminally, administratively, or civilly liable. Criminal liability is provided for in Art. 126-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine "domestic violence", however, after analyzing the norms of criminal legislation, we came to the conclusion that the Criminal Code of Ukraine also provides for criminal liability for criminal offenses related to domestic violence in other articles. An important step towards the prevention of domestic violence was the addition of Chapter XIII-1 "Restrictive measures" to the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for the possibility of applying certain measures in the interests of the victim of a criminal offense related to domestic violence. It was concluded that the introduction of amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine with the introduction of criminal liability for domestic violence was a significant step towards overcoming the problem of domestic violence in the country, and the ratification of the Istanbul Convention contributes to strengthening the legal protection of victims of violence and will ensure their access to justice.

Menanam Benih Kesalehan: Membentuk Karakter Islami Siswa melalui Religious Culture

The multidimensional crisis that is currently happening to the Indonesian state, if we look for the causes of the problem, comes from weak development of the nation and character which causes moral and moral shifts for the nation's successors such as becoming perpetrators of physical and psychological violence. This study aims to describe the Islamic character of students at Sekolah Sahabat Alam Palangka Raya and to describe the formation of Islamic character in students through religious culture at Sekolah Sahabat Alam Palangka Raya. This research uses descriptive qualitative method. Data collection techniques are observation, interviews and documentation. The results showed that: 1) the character of the students at Sekolah Sahabat Alam Palangka Raya can be said to have good Islamic character. This can be seen from their independent attitude which spontaneously applies religious habituation activities in behaving so that they are well organized without any encouragement or coercion. 2) the formation of the Islamic character of students through religious culture at Sekolah Sahabat Alam Palangka Raya, namely when reciting the Koran, traveling around nature, camping and exploring the environment around the school, praying dhuha in congregation, shaking hands and greeting teachers and students and teachers of the opposite sex do not shake hands directly . In addition, love the environment by disposing of trash in its place.

A test of the dyadic associations between ineffective arguing, emotional distress, and violence perpetration and victimization among couples seeking therapy.

Researchers have tested associations between ineffective arguing and emotional distress among couples without relationship violence. Moreover, studies have demonstrated associations between physical violence perpetration and victimization in the aftermath of emotional distress. However, there is a paucity of research examining linkages between ineffective arguing, emotional distress, and physical violence perpetration or victimization. Dyadic data from 231 married, heterosexual couples seeking therapy were used to test a model examining pathways between ineffective arguing and physical violence perpetration and victimization through emotional distress. The hypothesized model was compared to two plausible alternative models. Results revealed higher levels of men's ineffective arguing were positively associated with men's physical violence perpetration, both directly and indirectly, through higher levels of emotional distress. Higher levels of men's ineffective arguing were associated with lower men's physical violence perpetration through higher levels of women's emotional distress. Results can inform the clinical treatment of interpersonal violence by targeting ineffective arguing and emotional distress.

Dating Violence Perpetration Among Sexual Minority Youths in the US: Exploring the Effects of Masculinity Ideology

This study analyzes two waves of survey data from a prospective cohort study of secondary school students in Midwestern United States and shows that masculinity ideology contributes in varying degrees to dating violence perpetration across different gender and sexual orientation groups. Conformity to masculinity ideology not only elevates physical violence among bisexual male and lesbian youths, but also does it to a greater extent than its effect among heterosexual male youths. Gay youths, on the other than hand, report lower levels of physical violence perpetration with higher conformity to masculinity ideology. Conformity to masculinity ideology also precipitates higher levels of sexual violence perpetration among bisexual male and lesbian youths. Several policy implications for dating violence prevention are discussed.

How do traditional masculinity ideologies and emotional competence relate to aggression and physical domestic violence in cisgender men?

Men are disproportionately often perpetrators of physical domestic violence (DV). Gender role constructs, such as traditional masculinity ideologies (TMI), are broadly accepted as an explanation for this effect. Emotional competence further constitutes an important role in TMI and the prevention of DV. However, the interactions between these constructs remains unclear. The present study aims to investigate associations of TMI with aggression, DV perpetration, and emotional competence, while also examining emotional competence as a potential moderator. A sample of 428 cisgender men (M age = 43.9 ± 15.3) from German-speaking countries in Europe completed an anonymous online survey that assessed TMI, aggression, and DV perpetration as well as alexithymia, emotion regulation, and self-compassion as indicators of emotional competence. Strong TMI were associated with high levels of aggression and overall reduced emotional competence, as reflected by high levels of alexithymia, frequent use of expressive suppression, and low levels of self-compassion. Strong conformity to TMI was associated with a higher likelihood for DV perpetration when considering relevant sociodemographic covariates. Moderation analyses revealed that expressive suppression buffered the association between TMI and DV perpetration. Men with strong TMI report high levels of aggression and impaired emotional competence. While strong conformity to TMI was associated with more frequent perpetration of DV, higher expressive suppression seems to buffer the association between TMI and DV perpetration. The present study highlights the importance of addressing gender ideologies when working on aggression, DV perpetration and emotional competence in men.

The Brother–Sister Sibling Dyad as a Pathway to Gender-Based Violence Prevention: Engaging Male Siblings in Family-Strengthening Programs in Humanitarian Settings

Household violence poses a significant threat to the physical and mental health of adolescent girls. In conflict-affected communities, increased stresses to safety, security, health, and livelihoods may heighten this risk. While it is widely evidenced that the caregiver-child relationship can increase or protect against girls’ risk of violence, less is known about the role of male siblings. Sibling Support for Adolescent Girls in Emergencies (SSAGE) used whole-family support programming to synchronously engage adolescent girls, their male siblings, and their caregivers in conflict-affected communities in Jordan and Niger, using gender-transformative approaches to explore the impacts of gender norms, power, and violence and encourage support and emotional connection. We conducted qualitative research activities, including focus group discussions, participatory group activities, and in-depth, paired, and key informant interviews with 469 SSAGE participants and program facilitators to explore SSAGE’s impact on the male-female sibling dyad in both settings. The multi-stakeholder team used a collaborative thematic analysis approach to identify emergent themes. Findings suggest that the inclusion of male siblings in family strengthening programs may have a positive impact on factors related to girls’ protection, with research participants discussing decreased perpetration of physical and verbal violence by male siblings, increased equity in household labor between siblings, and improved trust and mutual support among siblings. These changes were facilitated by improved communication and interrogation of positive gender identities. In humanitarian settings, interventions that support more gender-transformative, egalitarian, and emotionally effective relationships between male-female siblings can work towards improving girls’ protective assets. More research on the impact of this relationship on girls’ experience of immediate and long-term experience of violence is needed. In settings where gender power dynamics among male-female siblings are less salient, other relationship dyads should be explored.

Workplace Violence against Health Care Providers in Emergency Departments of Public Hospitals in Jordan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Workplace violence (WPV) against healthcare providers is a serious problem that carries health, safety, and legal consequences. Healthcare providers working in emergency departments (ED) are more susceptible to WPV compared to other healthcare settings. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of physical and verbal violence against ED physicians and nurses in public hospitals in Amman, Jordan, and to explore the relationship between WPV and the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study design was used to assess physical and verbal violence against ED physicians and nurses. A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 67 physicians and 96 nurses from three public hospitals in Amman. In the past year, 33% and 53% of the participants experienced physical and verbal violence, respectively. Compared to their female counterparts, males were more frequently physically (43.7% vs. 2.3%, p-value < 0.001) and verbally (61.3% vs. 29.5%, p-value < 0.001) abused. The main perpetrators of physical and verbal violence were the patients' relatives. Out of 53 physical and 86 verbal abuse incidents, only 15 cases (10.8%) were followed up with legal persecution. In conclusion, there is a widespread occurrence of physical and verbal violence against ED physicians and nurses in the public sector hospitals in Jordan. A collaborative effort by all stakeholders should be instituted to ensure the safety of the physicians and nurses and to improve the quality of the healthcare provided.

Human rights violations among men who have sex with men and transgender people in South Africa.

Men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender (TG) people face human rights violations (HRVs) which impact their access to critical interventions for HIV prevention, treatment, and related services. This study describes how Beyond Zero, a not-for-profit organisation in South Africa, built an HRV reporting system and discusses data on the HRVs experienced by MSM and TG people who accessed HIV prevention services between 01 January 2021 and 31 December 2021. This was a cross-sectional study using secondary analysis of programmatic data routinely collected as part of HIV prevention programmes for MSM and TG in 10 rural districts of South Africa. A total of 249 individuals reported having experienced HRVs. Of these, 113 (54.6%) were physical violations, 145 (58.2%) were psychosocial harassment, 15 (18.3%) were experienced within the workplace, and 59 (23.7%) were experienced at a healthcare or social services institution. Overall, 77% of the physical violations and 70.4% of the psychosocial violations occurred in the home and local community settings; 76.1% of the perpetrators of physical violence and 79.3% of the perpetrators of psychosocial harassment were known. Most incidents of physical violence (80.5%) and psychosocial harassment (92.4%) were not reported due to fear of homophobic or transphobic violence. Our findings demonstrate the feasibility of documenting HRVs among MSM and TG people within HIV prevention programmes. Men who have sex with men and TG people should be systematically screened for HRVs and linked to legal or other services. Our findings present data on the nature of HRVs in 10 districts outside of the large urban centres where research documenting the lived experiences of MSM, TG people and other key populations is traditionally conducted in South Africa. This data contribute to addressing the gap in the literature on the needs of MSM and TG people in South Africa caused by the delayed inclusion of rural MSM and TG people in research.

Police Violence: Reducing the Harms of Policing Through Public Health-Informed Alternative Response Programs.

Police violence is a public health issue in need of public health solutions. Reducing police contact through public health-informed alternative response programs separate from law enforcement agencies is one strategy to reduce police perpetration of physical, emotional, and sexual violence. Such programs may improve health outcomes, especially for communities that are disproportionately harmed by the police, such as Black, Latino/a, Native American, and transgender communities; nonbinary residents; people who are drug users, sex workers, or houseless; and people who experience mental health challenges. The use of alternative response teams is increasing across the United States. This article provides a public health rationale and framework for developing and implementing alternative response programs informed by public health principles of care, equity, and prevention. We conclude with recommendations for public health researchers and practitioners to guide inquiries into policing as a public health problem and expand the use of public health-informed alternative response programs. (Am J Public Health. 2023;113(S1):S37-S42. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2022.307107).

Childhood exposure to parental violence, attachment insecurities, and intimate partner violence perpetration among Arab adults in Israel

BackgroundExtensive research supports the existence of a “cycle of violence” that links exposure to parental violence during childhood (i.e., witnessing interparental violence and child maltreatment) with intimate partner violence (IPV) perpetration. However, there is still a need to explore the mechanisms through which early exposure to parental violence may foster IPV perpetration during adulthood. ObjectiveIn this study, we examine the mediating role of attachment insecurities and gender differences in the relationship between exposure to parental violence during childhood and IPV perpetration during adulthood. Method, participants, and settingWe conducted a cross-sectional survey among a representative sample of 604 married Arab adults (M age = 33.5, SD = 6.52; 50.1 % women) in Israel using a self-administered questionnaire. ResultsExposure to physical violence, both as a victim and indirectly as a witness in childhood, was found positively correlated with adulthood IPV perpetration, with effect sizes ranging from weak (f2 = 0.01) to moderate (f2 = 0.15). Further, attachment-related avoidance was found to mediate the association between witnessing interparental physical violence and IPV perpetration. Gender differences were found in this relationship, with a stronger association indicated among male participants than among females. ConclusionExposure to physical violence may be understood as a risk factor for IPV perpetration directly and indirectly through the development of attachment-related avoidance.

Practice of bringing to criminal liability on Article 126-1 of Criminal Code and ways of increasing its efficiency

In connection with the ratification of the Convention of the Council of Europe on the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence and the fight against these phenomena (Istanbul Convention), the issue of the practice of prosecution under Art. 126-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The article notes that the problem of combating domestic violence constantly attracts the attention of not only forensic scientists, but also judges, lawyers, and human rights defenders.&#x0D; Statistical data on the number of cases of domestic violence were considered. It is emphasized that when interpreting the concept of "criminal offenses related to domestic violence", referring to them only Art. 126-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is not entirely correct and correct, since the concept of "domestic violence" enshrined in the Council of Europe Convention on the prevention of violence against women and domestic violence and the fight against these phenomena and the Law of Ukraine of December 7, 2017 No. 2229-VIII "On prevention and combating domestic violence" is broader than the law of Ukraine on criminal liability.&#x0D; The existing approaches to the interpretation of such a mandatory feature of the composition of a criminal offense as "systematic perpetration of physical, psychological or economic violence" were studied and the lack of unity in judicial practice regarding its interpretation was noted. Attention is focused on the decision of the Supreme Court dated February 25, 2021 in case No. 583/3295/19, where its interpretation is given and problematic issues of the use of this decision by the courts are considered. A conclusion was drawn on the need to generalize judicial practice (as of November 6, 2022 – the total number of verdicts in the first instance is 2,137) and to take into account the decisions of the European Court of Human Rights in this category of cases when sentencing.

Age, gender and duration of dating with the involvement in dating violence

Dating violence (DV) is a public health issue with severe implications for victims and perpetrators both. Adolescents, both male and female, exhibit a tendency for involvement in this. This cross-sectional research aimed to analyze the relationship between age, gender, and dating duration with the involvement of perpetrators of violence in dating. The sample size for this study consisted of 351 adolescents who were selected using the purposive sampling technique. The sample inclusion criteria are active students, have a partner, and are willing to be respondents. Data were analyzed using Chi-square test with 95% confidence interval. The results showed that younger adolescents are more likely to be involved in DV. Almost all females have acted as perpetrators of physical and psychological violence in dating. Females and males have equal opportunities to engage in DV. The dating duration is also predicted as one of the causes of adolescent involvement in violence during courtship. The dating duration is predicted to be more prone to being involved–being the perpetrator–in DV. Victims must have the courage to take a stand and stop the relationship if they experience violence, and they must be wise and selective in help-seeking.