Domestic violence remains a pervasive social issue that profoundly affects women’s physical, emotional, and psychological well-being. This study explored the lived experiences of female victims of domestic violence in selected barangays of Palo, Tanauan, and Tolosa, in the province of Leyte, Philippines focusing on their (1) experiences of domestic violence, (2) coping from the situation, and (3) impact of the support programs. A qualitative phenomenological research design was employed to capture the depth of participants’ experiences. Ten female informants were purposively selected through convenience sampling. Data were gathered through in-depth interviews and analyzed thematically to identify recurring patterns and meanings. Seven major themes emerged from the narratives: Deadly Possessiveness, Facing Death, Pain Beyond Bruises, Healing Through Distraction, Accepting the Unacceptable, Relief and Recovery, and The Unseen Struggle. These themes highlighted the complexity of victimization, the resilience demonstrated through various coping strategies, and the mixed effectiveness of existing support programs. Findings underscore the urgent need for stronger family involvement, sustained community awareness, and comprehensive institutional support. Recommendations include: (1) families maintaining close communication and vigilance; (2) Local Government Units (LGUs) ensuring program implementation with logistical support; (3) the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) intensifying public awareness campaigns, establishing reporting centers, and providing hotlines; (4) the Women and Children Protection Desk conducting outreach and education initiatives; and (5) communities being informed about legal frameworks and available services. These measures collectively aim to strengthen protection, recovery, and empowerment of domestic violence survivors.

Violence during pregnancy is a significant public health concern, which is associated with different psychological consequences-including depression and suicidal ideation. Although several qualitative studies have been conducted, limited data are available on its prevalence during pregnancy and associated depression and suicidal ideation in Bangladesh. This study identifies the prevalence of violence against pregnant women and depression and suicidal ideation among affected individuals in rural Bangladesh. Our study is a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data, collected in a rural southern subdistrict in Bangladesh using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). The prevalence of domestic violence (DV), lifetime intimate partner violence (IPV), and IPV during pregnancy were 5.9% (n = 21; 95% CI: 3.7-8.9), 5.4% (n = 19; 95% CI: 3.3-8.3), and 9.9% (n = 35; 95% CI: 7.0-13.5), respectively. Among women exposed to DV, 66.7% (n = 14; 95% CI: 42.6-84.3) reported antenatal depression. Similarly, 68.4% (n = 13; 95% CI: 42.7-86.3) of those with a history of lifetime IPV and 42.9% (n = 15; 95% CI: 27.1-60.3) of those experiencing IPV during pregnancy had depressive symptoms. Suicidal ideation was present in 14.3% (n = 3; 95% CI: 4.2-38.7) of DV victims, 5.3% (n = 1; 95% CI: 0.6-33.8) of lifetime IPV victims, and 5.7% (n = 2; 95% CI: 1.3-21.4) of those experiencing IPV during their current pregnancies. The concerning prevalence of violence and associated mental health issues during pregnancy demands urgent targeted interventions, including policy reforms, health education, and community awareness initiatives.

ABSTRACT Background: In many developing countries, women’s mental health is severely compromised due to the prevalence of various social evils, including domestic violence. India exemplifies this troubling trend, which has garnered attention from researchers and international organizations. Materials and Methods: This study conducted a thorough literature review across various electronic databases. A range of keywords related to social work interventions and the mental health of victims of domestic violence were used to encompass diverse studies and viewpoints. Results and Discussion: Results of this review emphasize that domestic violence manifests in numerous ways, including physical, psychological, sexual, intellectual and emotional abuse, involving systematic abuse of authority as well as insidious behavior, significantly impacting women’s physical and mental health. Common mental health issues identified among victims include anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and stress-related disorders. Factors contributing to domestic violence are multifaceted, including perpetrator traits, socioeconomic conditions, and cultural acceptance of violence as conflict resolution. Some of these factors include anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, unhealthy lifestyles, acute stress and PTSD, psychotic disorder, and substance abuse. The findings of the study reveal that crisis intervention, counseling, and psychotherapy are some of the major interventions by social workers. Conclusion: While numerous organizations are actively working to address domestic violence and its effects on women’s mental health, there is a pressing need for early psychosocial interventions at individual, familial, and societal levels, especially in women exhibiting psychological distress or unexplained medical symptoms.

Introduction: Services for domestic violence (DV) victims have long been limited in rural areas due to geographic isolation, lack of transportation, and limited access to legal services, housing, and health services. While virtual services developed during COVID-19 expanded access for some, this shift potentially worsened rural disparities related to Internet access, housing and transportation, and resource shortages. Theory: Evidence from research and practice demonstrate empowerment-based services improve victim outcomes by building knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy. However, little is known about the impact disruptions to social contexts due to disasters and emergencies may have on the delivery of empowerment-based services. Method: Executive directors of State and Territorial DV coalitions completed key informant interviews. Additional data were collected with open-ended questions in an online survey of shelters and service providers. Results: Coalition leaders and program staff reported limited success with virtual support for rural victims. While virtual support could help when in-person support was infeasible, it was difficult to maintain rural victim safety and privacy with poor internet connections and limited internet fluency. Sheltering in rural areas was difficult without hoteling and other unique challenges (e.g., responsibility for livestock) could not be addressed with virtual solutions. Discussion: While the shift to virtual services during COVID-19 allowed for maintenance of some services, there were challenges for the workforce and victims. There were unique obstacles to virtual services in rural areas. Equitable access to DV services for rural victims will require concerted efforts to close documented and anticipated gaps.

In part 1 of this series on spotting and supporting domestic violence victims, we look at types of abuse

Contemporary trends in incidence and outcomes of domestic violence among trauma patients in the US.

This study investigates intersectional disparities in stranger, acquaintance and domestic violence victimisation using 5 years of Crime Survey for England and Wales data (N = 165,661). Using logistic Multilevel Analysis of Individual Heterogeneity and Discriminatory Accuracy (MAIHDA), we estimate inequalities across 191 strata defined by combinations of gender, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status (SES) and disability. Around 17%–26% of the total variation in victimisation is attributable to differences between strata, but residual analysis suggests limited interaction effects. However, predicted probabilities vary widely, indicating meaningful inequalities. For example, young disabled men from different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds face the highest risk of stranger (mean range = 4.5%–7.1%) and acquaintance violence (mean range = 3.1%–4.4%), while young disabled women, particularly those from white, Black and mixed ethnic groups, are most at risk of domestic violence (mean range = 2.2%–3.4%). These findings highlight the importance of intersectional approaches to violence prevention and indicate both general structural inequalities and specific group vulnerabilities that warrant targeted intervention.

A Restraining Order is an order issued by the Court to provide protection to the victim. This order is aimed at keeping the perpetrator of violence away from the victim for a certain distance and time as well as limiting certain rights of the perpetrator. This is necessary because the victim needs time to recover from the trauma she has suffered while the judicial process against the perpetrator continues. Restraining Order is already regulated in existing laws and regulations in Indonesia and meets the idea of balancing individualization of punishment and protection of victims. However, this effort is unknown and rarely submitted by victims of domestic violence.

Domestic violence is a serious crime, and a person which repeatedly resorts to violence does not do so accidentally, but with the specific aim of achieving their goal – total control and power over their partner. Combating and prevention of domestic violence is a labour-intensive and rather complex area, also for the judicial authorities: victims, in an attempt to cover up what has happened to them, often withdraw their accusations or do not dare to involve the judicial authorities and seek their help. There can be a number of reasons why victims of domestic violence may decide to do this, and studies have shown that this is the case: from fear of the perpetrator to the perception that their complaint will not be taken seriously by the judicial authorities, because it is very difficult to gather any credible evidence of what happened (and is happening) within the walls of the home. At the same time, however, the number of complaints of domestic violence has increased compared to a few years ago, and victims have a legitimate hope of escaping from a prolonged and torturous cycle of violence. However, even in domestic violence cases, the courts of first instance mostly apply an agreement that releases the perpetrator from the real prison sentence and he or she usually returns home, where he or she is fearfully awaited by close relatives who have suffered violence. In addition, the judicial function is moving from the courts to the prosecution. The study of the diffe

Not only limited to individual decisions, it turns out that there are several things that can make female victims of domestic violence reluctant to report the violence they experienced. This study aims to analyze the causes why women victims of domestic violence are reluctant to report their cases. This literature study research found that cultural, gender, and social structure factors are one of the causes of women victims of domestic violence who are reluctant to report gender-based violence problems in the domestic sphere. In addition, problems of legal culture and institutional capacity that are not yet gender-sensitive, such as limited training of apparatus, lack of integrated assistance services, and the risk of secondary victimization during the legal process strengthen the vulnerable position of victims of domestic violence, making women victims of domestic violence make the decision not to report the domestic violence they experience.

The impact of an educational program on emergency nurses' preparedness to care for domestic violence women victims.

The domestic violence, especially against women, is serious and actual problem of modern society. The article considers various forms of domestic violence, including physical, psychological, sexual and economic ones. It is been established that most conflicts and crimes occur within the family in domestic environment. In Russia, annually more than 14 thousand representatives of female population perish from the hands of family partner. And 38% of murders of women in family are committed by male aggressors, 75% of victims of domestic violence are women. The concepts, indications, forms and types of violence are considered. The approaches to rehabilitation of victims are analyzed. In Russia, the statistical data testifies broad occurrence of conflicts and abuse in families: about 40%-45% of clients of crisis centers are women aged 25-35 years. The main causes of domestic violence are male (80%) and female (70%) alcoholism, inadequate family upbringing, unstable economic situation on national level and family poverty. The women suffered from domestic violence often have difficulties with further socialization and need social care and support. The importance of rehabilitation as integral part of care of victims of domestic violence is emphasized. The rehabilitation represents set of measures that includes psychological, medical and legal care, temporary residence in safe place and assistance in job placement.

The article presents a comprehensive study of the problem of domestic violence in Ukraine as one of the most acute socio-legal challenges of modern society, which has become particularly severe under martial law. Based on an analysis of current legislation, statistical materials, judicial practice, and academic sources, the paper identifies the current trends, legal nature, and socio-psychological factors contributing to the spread of this phenomenon. It has been found that since 2022, the level of domestic violence has increased significantly, which is associated with the consequences of war, social disintegration, economic instability, and the spread of post-traumatic conditions among the population. Special attention is paid to issues of law enforcement, such as the difficulty of proving the systematic nature of violent acts, imperfections in administrative and criminal qualification, instances of formalistic approaches by courts, and the high latency of the phenomenon caused by fear, dependency, and distrust of the law enforcement system. The article highlights the importance of legislative changes following the ratification of the Istanbul Convention (2022) and the adoption of Law No. 3733-IX (2024), which strengthened liability for domestic violence and clarified the administrative elements of offences. The role of forensic psychological examination in establishing the circumstances of crimes is analyzed, emphasizing its importance for fair judicial consideration. The study generalizes national and European judicial practice, in particular the ECtHR decision in Levchuk v. Ukraine, which became a landmark precedent in protecting victims of domestic violence. It is concluded that effective counteraction to domestic violence requires a comprehensive approach encompassing legal, socio-psychological, and educational instruments. The authors propose directions for improving state policy: developing networks of crisis centers and shelters, ensuring access to free legal and psychological assistance, enhancing police training, fostering a culture of zero tolerance for violence, and strengthening interdepartmental and international cooperation. Only the integration of these measures can ensure real protection of human rights and reduce the level of violence in society.

This study discusses the implementation of legal protection for victims of Domestic Violence (KDRT) within the framework of Satjipto Rahardjo’s Progressive Law Theory, through a case study of Decision No. 55/Pdt.G/2024/PA.Prob of the Religious Court of Probolinggo. The focus of this research is to examine how the judges applied the principle of substantive justice by determining retroactive child support payments as a form of legal protection for victims of domestic neglect. This research employs a normative juridical method with a case approach, analyzed qualitatively through the study of statutory regulations, legal doctrines, and court decisions. The findings show that the judge implemented repressive legal protection by obliging the father to pay retroactive child support for fourteen months, amounting to Rp18,000,000.00. This decision demonstrates a judicial stance favoring children and mothers as victims of neglect, while also reflecting the realization of substantive justice. Nevertheless, the protection provided is not yet comprehensive, as it does not cover preventive aspects such as family counseling, post-judgment protection, or rehabilitation for the perpetrator. Within the framework of Progressive Law, law should not merely focus on punishment or formal compliance, but should also serve as an instrument of restoration and human emancipation from social suffering. Therefore, there is a need for integration between preventive and repressive protection, as well as synergy among legal, social, and psychological institutions, to ensure that legal protection for victims of domestic violence within the Religious Courts becomes more just and sustainable.

To develop and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Forensic Nursing Competency Scale-Short Form (FNCS-SF) for hospital nurses. Nurses who care for victims of sexual abuse, domestic violence and elder or child abuse require forensic nursing competencies. However, few valid and reliable tools exist to assess these competencies in hospital settings. A cross-sectional study. The study was conducted in two phases. Phase 1 involved the development and refinement of the FNCS-SF with input from 10 nurses. Phase 2 tested the tool's psychometric properties. A total of 420 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in South Korea participated. Participants were divided into two groups: Study 1 (n = 200) for exploratory factor analysis and Study 2 (n = 220) for confirmatory factor analysis. The FNCS-SF consists of 27 items across six factors: awareness of the medicolegal problem, evidence-based practice in forensic nursing, collaborative forensic nursing with community partners, safety and security, professional career development and multidisciplinary integrated knowledge. An item analysis revealed significant correlations between each item and the total scale score. Criterion validity was supported by significant correlations between the FNCS-SF and attitudes and beliefs towards forensic nursing and the performance of the forensic nursing role. Confirmatory factor analysis supported a six-factor model with good fit indices. Cronbach's alpha indicated strong internal consistency. The FNCS-SF is a valid and reliable tool for assessing hospital nurses' forensic nursing competencies, which can improve patient safety and treatment outcomes. Further validation in diverse clinical settings is recommended. The FNCS-SF can be used to improve forensic nursing competency through professional development. None. The FNCS-SF provides a standardised framework to evaluate nurses' forensic competency, guiding education and practice to enhance clinical preparedness and deliver victim-centred care. STROBE guidelines.

Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study explores the role of police body-worn cameras (BWCs) in enhancing domestic and family violence (DFV) policing. Data were collected from surveys administered to police officers in two Australian jurisdictions (N = 452) and a nationwide sample of DFV victims (N = 119), complemented by qualitative analysis of open-ended responses. Findings demonstrate that BWCs contribute to objective evidence collection and strengthen police accountability, thereby supporting legal processes. In contrast, victim experiences reveal challenges such as privacy concerns, potential misinterpretation of footage by justice authorities, and difficulties in capturing nonphysical violence. This indicates that while BWCs bolster investigative rigor, their optimal use depends on tailored, trauma-informed police training and robust data-handling protocols. Overall, this integrated evidence underscores the strategic value of BWCs as a tool to improve both investigative outcomes and victim safety in DFV contexts.

Domestic violence (KDRT) is a human rights violation that has a serious impact on victims, especially women and children. Although it has been regulated in Law Number 23 of 2004 concerning the Elimination of Domestic Violence, the implementation of law enforcement in various regions still faces various challenges. This study aims to analyze the form of law enforcement for domestic violence cases in the jurisdiction of the Gorontalo Police, as well as identify the inhibiting and supporting factors in the law enforcement process. The research method used is empirical juridical, with a qualitative approach involving interviews with law enforcement officials, victims, and accompanying institutions. The results of the study show that although the Gorontalo Police have tried to handle domestic violence cases seriously, there are still obstacles such as lack of reports from victims, patriarchal culture, limited resources, and lack of public understanding of victims' rights. This study recommends increasing the capacity of law enforcement officials, cross-sectoral cooperation, and legal education to the public to realize more effective protection for victims of domestic violence.

Starting with a common approach, which consists in writing a book with words recorded by the author, this article examines the attempts of two contemporary French female authors at rendering voices and accounts collected from people in socially and psychologically vulnerable situations. In Fragmentation d’un lieu commun (2003), Jane Sautière records her memories of encounters with prisoners during her work as a prison social worker; in Rouge pute (2018), Perrine Le Querrec renders the voices of domestic violence victims she met at a community centre. The aim is both to highlight the listening practices shared by these authors (ways of meeting people, recording what they say, adjusting the author’s position in relation to the collected voices) and to emphasize the uniqueness of the poetic choices made, which depart from a raw transcription of the collected words in favour of fragments for Sautière and poetic rendering in verse for Le Querrec. Comparing these two books of voices allows us to gauge the shifts in a literary approach to listening over the course of two decades, highlighting the different terms of the authors’ commitment.

The number of domestic violence (DV) victims in Japan is increasing, and many do not seek support. Research has identified systemic, professional, and victim-related barriers, but little is known about how the practices of support professionals specifically discourage victims. This study conducted in-depth interviews with a small sample of five female DV victims about the difficulties they encountered when seeking help. Three primary themes guided the analysis:1) difficulties arising from the competencies and attitudes of support professionals; 2) victims’ psychological responses attributable to support professionals and 3) victims’ perceptions and recognition. The results showed that unsupportive attitudes of support professionals—such as blaming victims for not leaving sooner, redirecting them elsewhere, or lacking knowledge about DV—created psychological barriers. Some women internalized the feeling of blaming themselves, some persisted in seeking assistance out of necessity, whereas others became discouraged, believing “nothing will improve even if I seek help.” The findings suggest that obstacles to seeking support arise from a combination of factors and are influenced by both the women’s experience of violence and prevailing gender norms in Japan that expect women to be patient and self-sacrificing. In conclusion, three main factors prevent victims of DV from accessing help: professionals’ unsupportive attitudes and practices, victims’ self-blaming perceptions, and disappointment in the support system that is shaped by gender norms. Training for support professionals to develop psychological sensitivity and recognize the influence of gender expectations is necessary.

This study aims to analyze the causes of domestic violence (DV) from a legal and religious perspective. This type of research is field research with a descriptive qualitative approach. Sources were obtained directly from perpetrators of domestic violence victims, police, and religious leaders in Tanjung Raya District, Mesuji Regency. Data collection used interviews, observation, and documentation. Data analysis used data reduction techniques, data presentation, and conclusion drawing. The results of this study are husbands' errors in understanding the concept of marriage, a lack of openness in the family, husbands' dissatisfaction with their wives' incompetence, economic conditions, the perpetrators' character who tends to be quick to anger, lack of supervision, and the responses of local residents and close families in responding to acts of violence.