Victims Of Gender-based Violence Research Articles

Book Review: Leigh Goodmark, Imperfect Victims: Criminalized Survivors and the Promise of Abolition Feminism. University of California Press. 2023.

Leigh Goodmark’s Imperfect Victims: Criminalized Survivors and the Promise of Abolition, seems to rupture any idealistic views of a protective and just criminal legal system. Instead, Goodmark introduces readers to the nitty gritty underside of laws, policies, and legal processes put into place to protect the most vulnerable. In this work, Goodmark apprises readers of the cycle of victimization that survivors of violence are subjected to within the criminal justice realm. Offering true narratives and statistics along with eye-opening insights, Goodmark illustrates the means by which women, trans, and non-confirming individuals are subjected to criminalization by the justice system in the form of state interventions intended to protect them. This work pushes readers to challenge their perceptions of victims and offenders while asking them to embrace the idea that the justice system is inherently flawed. Goodmark, however, does not leave readers hopeless and empty-handed as she offers abolition feminism as the remedy to the institutionalized challenges faced by criminalized survivors. Imperfect Victims aims to give voice to victims of gender-based violence and dismantle the system that continues to victimize them.

Gender-based violence perpetrated against migrant women during lockdowns: A pastoral care challenge

Background: The article unpacks the complexities of gender-based violence (GBV) against illegal migrant women during lockdowns and contributes to the broader discourse on gender equality, human rights and social justice within the Pentecostal or Charismatic pastoral praxis. The geographical demography was a semi-formal area located between South Africa’s Gauteng and Northwest provinces. The period for the inquiry was South Africa’s coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) induced lockdowns that began on 27 March 2020 until 05 April 2022.Objectives: The study aimed to shed light on the unique challenges faced by this vulnerable population, exploring the intersectionality of their undocumented status, gender and the socio-economic impacts of restrictive measures and the challenges to pastorally care for them.Method: The qualitative approach and case study were used to select two sets of participants; 13 illegal Zimbabwean Migrant Women (ZMW) and 3 Pentecostal or Charismatic clergy.Results: There was a disturbing prevalence of GBV incidents, ranging from physical, sexual to psychological abuse. The illegal status of migrant women exacerbated their vulnerability and reluctance to seek help due to fear of deportation and societal stigmatisation. The lockdown-induced economic strain further compounded their susceptibility to GBV.Conclusion: There was nonexistent pastoral care policy or praxis within the Pentecostal or Charismatic church for illegal ZMW who were victims of GBV during the lockdowns. These themes emerged: (1) high incidents of GBV perpetrated against illegal ZMW during lockdowns; (2) barriers to seeking pastoral care were lack of trust, migration status, fear of deportation, fear of infection and (3) no physical virtual pastoral care.Contribution: This article is embedded in the Pentecostal or Charismatic practice of care; postmodern, using the interpretive narrative framework to highlight the narratives of illegal Zimbabwean Migrant Women (ZMW) who were victims of gender-based violence (GBV) during South Africa’s COVID-19 lockdowns and the challenges of pastorally caring for them.

Gender-based Violence and its Predictors: A Cross-sectional Study Among the Adolescents of Madhya Pradesh, Central India.

Gender-based violence (GBV) is a global public health concern. India's socio-cultural and regional diversity poses challenges for obtaining accurate and comprehensive indicators of gender-based violence. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and predictors of GBV among adolescents. This was a community-based cross-sectional study conducted among adolescents aged 10 to 19 years in six districts of Madhya Pradesh, the central part of India, from December 2017 to 2019. GBV was assessed using a validated questionnaire adapted from a nationwide survey. Data were analyzed using SPSS (version 16.0). Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with GBV. The study revealed that 10.4% of adolescents were victims of GBV. The multi-variable logistic regression showed that girls were at higher risk (odds ratio = 5.7) of facing GBV. Other significant factors associated with GBV included older adolescents (15-19 years old), those belonging to scheduled caste/tribal areas, those whose mothers were literate, those who had a boyfriend/girlfriend, and those who justified wife beating. GBV is a serious public health problem among adolescents, with one in every 10 adolescents experiencing GBV. It is essential to instil awareness of gender-equal norms from early childhood and within households. Implementing violence prevention policies and strategies in educational and work institutions, as well as at the community level, is crucial.

The role of interoception in reducing trauma-associated distress: a feasibility study

ABSTRACT Background: Altered interoception plays an important role in chronic stress and posttraumatic stress disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a Trauma Sensitive Yoga (TSY) intervention for improving emotional distress and psychological discomfort in women living under circumstances of social and gender vulnerability. We assessed the effect of the treatment on the interoceptive mechanisms, and whether the psychological improvements were mediated by the changes in these mechanisms. Methods: The study involved a sample of 62 women who attended public community centres dedicated to supporting women victims of gender-based violence or who were socially and economically disadvantaged because of their gender. Participants underwent a six-week TSY programme. We evaluated dropout rate, adherence, and intervention satisfaction. We measured emotional distress, psychological discomfort, interoceptive mechanisms, and two nonequivalent dependent variables to enhance internal validity. We compared pre–post differences using paired samples t-test and a structural equation model (SEM) analysis was performed to compare the changes in the outcomes with the changes in the nonequivalent dependent variables. Mediation models were adjusted to evaluate the role of changes in interoception on outcome changes. Results: Fourteen (23%) women dropped out, mainly after the first intervention session. Intervention adherence (mean attendance 5.3 over 6 sessions) and acceptability were high (mean satisfaction 3.4 over 4). We observed post-intervention improvements in anxiety, depression, psychological discomfort, body responsiveness, and interoceptive awareness. The changes in the outcomes were larger than the changes in the nonequivalent dependent variables. Additionally, we found that the changes in body responsiveness partially mediated the change in anxiety and psychological discomfort but not in depression. Conclusions: TSY could be an interesting therapeutic approach for women experiencing chronic posttraumatic stress symptomatology. Our findings underscore the role of interoceptive mechanisms in traumatic stress and emphasize the importance of addressing these aspects.

Technology-facilitated coercive control: response, redress, risk, and reform

ABSTRACT The article examines the deepening crisis in the treatment of women and girls by the legal/criminal justice system – as the legal and policy architecture that has long failed to deliver equal access to justice for victims of gender-based violence is confronted with new and altered forms of perpetration. Cautioning against a singular reliance on the law to prevent and respond to technology-facilitated coercive control, the authors contend that piecemeal law reform diverts much needed attention from the broader social and legal reforms needed to ensure equal and safe access to justice for victim-survivors of all forms of gender-based violence, including those forms perpetrated via technology. Through case and legislative analyses, the authors note that efforts to redress the harms of technology-facilitated gender-based violence must be alert to the risks of reactive legislation, discrimination, net-widening and overcriminalisation, victim blaming, systems abuse, and, in some cases, a further loss of autonomy, legal agency, and personhood for victim-survivors. The article concludes by arguing for a dismantling of the structural violence that pervades both the field of digital technology and the criminal justice sector, to avert the continued development, application, and weaponization of new technologies as instruments of misogynist abuse.

“Just Shut Up and Take It”: South African University Students on Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment and gender-based violence have become pervasive and normal within South African society. This trend is of grave concern at colleges and universities. Drawing on the social construction of the gender theory approach, this study explored the perceptions and experiences of sexual harassment among students at a South African university. The nature and causes of sexual harassment were examined. Twenty undergraduate students—twelve females, five males, one queer and two bisexual students—participated in this study. Data was generated using individual interviews and focus group discussions. Sexual harassment was prevalent at the university in the form of verbal, non-verbal and physical harassment. We argue that harassment stems from broader constructs of masculinity and patriarchal power that challenge and effectively silence victims. Non-reporting of harassment largely sanctions sexual harassment at the university. Female students were the main victims of gender-based violence with male students being the main perpetrators. LGBTQIA students were found to be vulnerable to harassment, mainly because of their sexual preference. The study revealed the need to create better awareness of what constitutes sexual harassment and gender-based violence and suggests that victims, perpetrators and university staff collaborate to tackle the scourge. We propose the necessity for focused and ongoing education and awareness campaigns on campus.

Some scandals in gender-based violence and intimate partner violence

This study was requested by victims of gender-based violence (GBV) and intimate partner violence (IPV), who wanted their voices to be heard. They were not interested in their identities being revealed, but they only wanted to share their stories to expose some rot by high-profile people. This paper sought to explore the meanings that these victims attach to the experiences of GBV and IPV in cases where perpetrators are well-to-do, highly respected persons occupying positions of authority in recognized establishments. Six (6) IPV victims, selected using the purposive sampling method, participated in the study. They were interviewed, and their text data was analyzed. The results show that some high-status people perpetrate GBV and IPV, covering the known types of IPV and generating two new ones of IPV extending to the victim’s family and threats to divorce their victim. The paper recommends monitoring and evaluating high-status people and also bars GBV and IPV perpetrators from practicing in high-profile trades.

Self-Defence and Battered Woman Syndrome in a Selected isiXhosa Short Story

The fact that there are continued public reports of abuse and violence against women and young girls in South Africa, and elsewhere in the global village, is enough to underline that gender-based violence (GBV) is profoundly entrenched in social and human settings. Considering this, it stands to reason to recurrently contest this challenge relying on isiXhosa literature, among other mechanisms. In fact, violence against women and young girls has been regarded by several scholars, government and non-governmental organisations, and community members as an international crisis. On account of this, this article critiques how self-defence and battered woman syndrome (BWS) are reproduced in a selected isiXhosa short story titled “Umfazi Akayongqongqo” (A woman is not a punching bag). This short story is recognised herein as a primary source of data, while African feminist theory is applied to uncover the complexities pertaining to self-defence and BWS as they emerge as a direct consequence of prolonged incidents of GBV. The findings and discussions indicate that prolonged occurrences of abuse and violence towards women and young girls have the potential to lead to situations where victims of GBV cannot tolerate it any longer, hence resulting in retaliation, self-defence and BWS. While there are contrasting views concerning self-defence and BWS, particularly within the legal frameworks, this article underlines the necessity to strike a balance between these important social, cultural, and political issues in a bid to reasonably solve the conundrum—GBV. The concluding remarks present possible future scholarly discourses that may be considered in an attempt to address this challenge. For instance, it would be prudent to consider ways to decolonise isiXhosa literary scholarship, focusing on re-evaluating traditional canons, challenging Eurocentric voices and promoting indigenous African knowledge systems (IAKS). By the same token, it would be perceptive to examine how isiXhosa literature mirrors and responds to the legacies of colonialism, including matters related to identity, language, and cultural representation.

Examining the Consequences of Gender-Based Violence on Economic Inclusivity of Women in Sokoto State

The study investigated the consequences of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) on economic inclusivity of women as reported by selected survivors in Sokoto State of Nigeria. The study explored the experiences of 40 purposively selected women aged, 15 to 45 years from the lists of 1000 survivors (GBV Victims) under the Sokoto State Ministry of Women Affairs who have been victims of Gender Abused/Violence. Qualitative data on GBV experiences and associated factors were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). Descriptive analysis was used for the demographic characteristics of the participants. The transcription of the recorded audio cassettes, together with the recorded field notes, provided data for the thematic analysis. The discussions revealed that the principal consequences of GBV on economic development of women in Sokoto State include loss of jobs, reduced productivity, reduced workforce participation, denied economic inclusiveness, lower educational attainment, extreme economic dependency, total lack of trust, psychological trauma, depression, low self-esteem, and mental illness, which hampers them from relating meaningfully with people around them. The findings also confirmed that the majority of the victims don’t report the abuse case to the appropriate authority because they felt if reported, the perpetrators may likely hunt them back and dealt with them decisively. The finding confirmed that communities responses and their lack of sincerity for not taking action against gender-based violence (GBV) abusers have perpetuates a culture of violence, inequality, and impunity thereby escalation of violence, continued victimization of victims, as well as diminishing community cohesion. In order to reduce this ugly act, the paper proffers the following recommendations; Government should raise awareness and education; strengthen legal and judicial systems; provide comprehensive support services; foster community engagement; empower women and girls to mention but a few

Healing After Violence: The Effect of Perception of Social Support on Posttraumatic Growth in Female University Students.

This study investigated the Turkish validity and reliability of the Healing After Gender-based Violence Scale (GBV-Heal) and the relationship between social support perception, posttraumatic growth in university students who are victims of gender-based violence. The study sample consisted of 167 female students who experienced gender-based violence. The Turkish version of GBV-Heal of Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin value was 0.892; the Bartlett Sphericity Test result was determined as χ2 = 195,053, and the obtained variables were found suitable for factor analysis. Perception of social support related to post-violence healing in female university students is effective on posttraumatic growth.

MUSCULOSKELETAL INJURIES FROM GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE AT A TERTIARY ORTHOPAEDIC CENTRE

Intimate partner violence (IPV) causes significant morbidity and its unlikely to be reported compared to other forms of gender-based violence (GBV). For early detection, understanding Orthopaedic injuries from GBV is vital. This study assesses the pattern of musculoskeletal injuries from GBV and determines the factors associated with it.It is a retrospective observational study of patients aged ≥18 years, with GBV-related acute Orthopaedic injuries. Data was reviewed from January 2021 to December 2021, including, demographic information, soft tissue and bony injuries, relationship to assailant, substance abuse and the day and time of injury. Frequencies and percentages for categorical data were analysed. Chi-square test was used to calculate association. T-test was used to compare groups for continuous & categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was conducted to find the odds ratio and a p-value <0.05 was statistically significant.138 patients were included, the mean age at presentation being 35.02 years (SD=11). 92.75% of GBV victims were females. Most were unemployed (66.7%). 30.43% (n-42) had a soft tissue injury; superficial laceration being the most common (23.1%), flexor tendon injury (10.87%), hand abscess (5.8%), and extensor tendon injury (5.07%). 71.02 % (n=98) sustained appendicular fractures. 51.45% (n=71) sustained upper limb fractures; distal radius fractures (10.86%) and distal 3rd ulnar fractures (9,42%). 19.57% (n=27) had lower limb fractures; 7.25% (n=10) had lateral malleolus ankle fractures. 63.7% (n=80) of cases were by an intimate partner on weekends (50.73%). 62.31% occurred between 16h00 and 0h00. 41.1% (n=65) reported alcohol abuse. 63.04% had surgery.GBV likely occurs in early middle-aged females by intimate partners influenced by alcohol over the weekends between 16h00 to 0h00. Distal radius/distal 3rd ulnar fractures are the most common bony injuries. Superficial wrist laceration is the commonest soft tissue injury. These findings may assist with early detection and intervention to prevent adverse outcomes in GBV.

“They are survivors”. Violence against women drug users: a qualitative analysis of the professionals’ narratives

Background Women who use drugs are particularly vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV), with serious psychological, social, physical and inter-generational consequences. The professionals who attend to the women who seek help when they have a problem with a psychoactive substance are an essential group for detecting and intervening in cases of GBV against women who use drugs. Methods We have conducted a qualitative investigation. Our sources are eight focus groups with Spanish professionals from all the disciplines involved in the field. The total sample was purposive in nature and comprised 55 professionals from the field of drug dependence. Results Both the invisibility of women who use drugs as victims of GBV and the androcentrism present in drug treatment centers define the institutional violence that appears in the professionals’ narratives. According to professionals, being a victim of GBV can increase the use of psychoactive substances, while the latter in turn makes women more vulnerable to GBV. Conclusions In order for the treatment of drug dependence to be sensitive and successful, it needs to include the different forms of GBV suffered by women who use drugs, alongside the effective coordination of resources and support networks.

Evaluación pericial psicológico-forense del trastorno por estrés postraumático complejo en víctimas de violencia de género

Given the inclusion of the Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) in the International Classification of Diseases 11th edition, this article analyses the C-PTSD as a possible new diagnosis in women victims of gender-based violence to explain a wide range of symptoms resulting from interpersonal, persistent, continuous, severe and uncontrollable traumas that may occur in this context. Thus, it describes the psychological impact and the psychopathological consequences it produces on the victims, which are most serious when the violence suffered has occurred repeatedly and over time. In addition, it delves into the differential diagnosis of C-PTSD with other psychopathologies. Finally, a protocol for forensic psychological assessment is proposed based on C-PTSD as a clinical disorder, which explains the serious psychological impact on the evaluation of women victims of gender-based violence, considering this disorder as an alternative diagnostic hypothesis in the forensic psychological assessment of the psychological injury.

Gender-Based Violence During the Armenian Genocide

This paper analyses atrocities during the Armenian genocide through a gendered lens. Asking to what extent men and women have been differently affected by gender-based violence, Carpenter’s framework is applied that specifically recognises men’s often-overlooked victimisation of gender-based violence. The application concludes that men were, just like women, victims of gender-based violence during the Armenian genocide, but that the rationales behind the targeting of women and men greatly differed. It follows that, while Carpenter is right in arguing that gender-based violence against women and men cannot be prevented separately from each other, as the gender roles naturalising the violence depend on one another, the mainstreaming of gender in atrocity-prevention and treatment should still safeguard female-tailored sexual violence prevention and treatments, given their remaining higher victimisation and the additional underlying rationales for their victimisation that do not apply to men. Keywords: Armenian Genocide, Atrocity-Prevention, Gender-Based Violence

A Critical Review on Gender Based Violence in Nigeria: Media Dimension

During the Covid-19 pandemic, women and girls around the world have been subjected to sexual and physical violence, which has never happened before. Women are killed in the name of honor in Asia and the Middle East, while girls in West Africa are subjected to genital mutilation in the name of tradition. Because the perpetrators believe that sex with virgins will cure them of their disease, young girls in Southern Africa are raped and infected with HIV/AIDS. According to the findings, the majority of Nigerian women have been victims of gender-based violence, such as incest, rape, physical abuse, verbal abuse, denial of food, forced marriage, and early child marriage. The findings of the study also revealed that age, employment, educational attainment, witnessing a mother being beaten as a child, family type, duration of union, participation in household decision-making, employment status relative to woman, differences in educational qualification between a male partner and woman, attitudes toward wife-beating among men and women, and male right to discipline or control females are all factors that contribute to gender-based violence. Sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortions, physical injuries, immediate psychological reactions such as shock, shame, guilt, and anger; and long-term psychological outcomes such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal ideation, lack of sexual pleasure, and fears are all health consequences of gender-based violence. The study concludes that gender-based violence has a negative impact not only on women and their reproductive health but also on Nigeria's economy and progress.

Does Procedural Fairness Influence Evaluations of Government Efforts to Combat Gender-Based Violence? Evidence from Brazil

AbstractDoes information about the way victims of gender-based violence (GBV) are treated by the police influence evaluations of government policies to combat gender-based violence? I theorize that because most citizens have incomplete information about such policies, information about procedural fairness should be given more weight when forming evaluations of the government’s performance in this domain. Using original experiments embedded in public opinion surveys collected from Brazil, I find that information about procedural unfairness powerfully predicts more critical evaluations of GBV laws and the government’s performance in helping victims. In addition, these critical opinions influence bystander intervention attitudes. Mediation analysis confirms that views of procedural unfairness are critical in explaining these effects. The implications of the findings for the implementation of specialized services are discussed in the results and conclusion.

Effects of gender-based violence on students’ well-being: A case of Mufulira College

Institutions of higher learning have continued to record high cases of gender-based violence (GBV) despite all efforts put in place to fight the vice. The most common forms of GBV are physical, sexual assault and psychological violence. Women and girls make up the majority of the GBV victims worldwide. For many years, institutions of higher learning have proved to be fertile environments for GBV cases.The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of GBV on the well-being of students in institutions of higher learning in Zambia.The study employed a mixed research methodology, and it was anchored on pragmatic philosophical paradigm. An explorative study design was used. Data were collected using both probabilistic and non-probabilistic methods, and the sample size was 150 respondents. The main findings of the study showed both academic and non-academic effects of GBV on students and included stigma, low academic performance, mental and psychological trauma as well as high drop outs.Contribution: The study highlighted effects of GBV as being both academic and non-academic in nature. Once students and staff ignore the word of God spoken in scriptures and begin to follow their egos, the consequences are devastating. For scriptures says love one another, forgive each other and bear each other’s burdens in love. Do unto others as you would want then to do unto you. For where there is love, no one will desire to hurt others. Where there is no love of God or forgiveness, there is pain and damage that can spoil someone’s future, especially that of the youth.

The Need for The Entrenchment of Marital Rape in Nigeria’s Criminal Jurisprudence

The need for the entrenchment of marital rape in Nigeria's criminal jurisprudence is a pressing issue that requires urgent attention. Marital rape refers to any non-consensual sexual activity perpetrated by a spouse against their partner within the institution of marriage. Despite being a prevalent form of gender-based violence, marital rape is not explicitly recognized as a crime under Nigeria's legal framework. This paper examines the need for the entrenchment of marital rape in Nigeria’s Criminal jurisprudence. Marital rape is rampant in Nigeria, just like any form of rape. Marital rape victims have experienced a lot of psychological trauma, depression, emotional imbalance; the experience has resulted in divorce, medical, physical and mental health to its victims. Unfortunately, marital rape victim is unable to report their victimization to the appropriate authorities, this is because there is no law criminalizing marital rape in Nigeria. This paper further looks at the historical review of marital rape exemption, the theories about the exemption and need to criminalize marital rape in harmony with other jurisdiction. The paper therefore recommended the imperatives steps towards protecting the rights and well- being of individuals within the institution of marriage and legal support for victims of gender-based violence.

IMPLEMENTATION OF WOMEN EMPOWERMENT POLICIES BY THE GOVERNMENT IN EFFORTS TO HANDLE VICTIMS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THE WORK ENVIRONMENT

This study aims to find out how the implementation of women's empowerment policies in efforts to prevent sexual violence in the work environment. This type of research is qualitative research using the SLR (Literature Review System) method. SLR is a literature review method that is carried out by collecting, identifying, concluding, critically evaluating research results on certain topics. The results of the study indicate that there are efforts to empower women through complaints handling, medical, psychological-spiritual services, law enforcement and assistance, as well as return and social reintegration. Thus, it can be interpreted that the policy of protecting women is one of the government's policies to facilitate, assist, and support victims of gender-based violence to obtain justice in demanding their rights. So that with this policy it is hoped that women will be able to develop their potential, so that women can be independent and participate in efforts to prevent sexual violence in the workplace.

Learning to see, learning to say, and learning to eradicate domestic violence in China

China’s first-ever, national Anti-Domestic Violence Law (henceforth, the Law) took effect in March 2016. The enactment of the Law was perceived by members of the general public as a solid step, taken by the Chinese government, both to protect the legal rights and interests of victims of gender-based violence (especially female victims) and also to establish domestic violence as a serious socio-legal problem deserving of greater public (especially political) attention. In this article, I choose to primarily focus on one specific type of domestic violence – gender-based violence within a current or former romantic relationship that causes harms to those in the relationship. I aim to identify and examine the limitations with this still recent Law in particular, and the criminal justice approach in general that China has been adopting to stop gender-based violence. Based upon an analysis of a very recent high-profile case of gender-based violence and five annual evaluation reports on the implementation of the Law, I lean to the conclusion that without transforming the socio-cultural context, no domestic violence legislation can effectively address gender-based violence and enhance the wellbeing of Chinese women.