Victims Of Gender-based Violence Research Articles

In Defense of Fifty Shades by E. L. James: Does It Really Contain Gender-Based Violence?

This article presents a response to the harsh criticism expressed against E. L. James’s Fifty Shades. Accusations have been made from many sides that it encourages gender-based violence within a romantic relationship, unjustly stereotyping the female character Anastasia (Ana) as a battered, submissive, weak woman and a “sex slave.” However, as this thorough analysis will argue, Anastasia does not fit the profile of a victim of gender-based violence. Rather, she embodies the traits of an empowered woman. From this viewpoint, it is unfair to consider Fifty Shades as promoting violence against women.

Integrated Psycho-Socio-Educational Programmes for Women Victims of Gender-Based Violence.

Although women victims of gender-based violence suffer health and self-care issues, there is still a lack of coordinated integrated support programmes aimed at mitigating the socio-health impact of gender-based violence on women that are suitably adapted to new social contexts. Given the importance of analysing the effectiveness of integrated psycho-socio-educational interventions and self-care programmes, this study reviews the interventions and programmes implemented in Spain, focusing specifically on their implementation and impact in the autonomous region of Navarra. The data reviewed were extracted from official publications and websites pertaining to the 17 Spanish autonomous regions and the corresponding Spanish government ministries. Additionally, 18 reports on psycho-socio-educational interventions (n = 63) for the whole of Spain centring on integrated support for self-care were analysed. In the case of the autonomous region of Navarra, four psycho-socio-educational intervention programmes (n = 4) involving self-care were analysed. The analysis found that there are a number of diverse integrated psycho-socio-educational programmes focusing on self-care that provide support and interventions. The results indicate that the women who benefit from the services, especially those relating to self-care (self-esteem, healthcare, personal image, and health), report improvements in their general wellbeing.

Gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights of adolescent girls in Senegal: an analysis of social control practices.

This article problematizes gender-based violence (GBV) as a social practice and explains its role as a social mechanism for controlling bodies. Based on a mixed methodological approach (combining questionnaires, qualitative interviews, focus groups, and participant observation) targeting both adolescent girls and community actors, this study reveals forms of GBV that are little explored among the adolescent population. Social practices, such as "nëpp nëppël" or the culture of silence, frequently conceal GBV within families, hindering reporting and thus limiting adolescents' access to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services and influencing their limited knowledge of SRHR. Shelter centres, such as Kullimaaroo, are crucially important in this context by providing holistic support to victims of GBV, but such structures are rare in Senegal. We conclude that it is necessary to adopt a holistic approach taking into account social practices to address the complex relationship between GBV and SRHR among adolescents in Senegal.

Analysis of care for adolescent victims of gender-based violence in Senegal: a qualitative study.

In Senegal, many adolescent victims of gender-based violence (GBV) do not receive care. The aim of this study was to analyse the care circuit for adolescent victims of GBV, taking gender differences into account. This was a qualitative case study. A thematic analysis of the data was carried out using Nvivo 12 software. The study showed that society attached less importance to the rape of boys. The study also showed that the main attitude of adolescents to GBV was silence, encouraged by under-reporting. The structural barriers to providing care were the insensitivity of health and judicial structures towards adolescents, as well as geographical and financial obstacles. In conclusion, it is important for policies to tackle these structural barriers in order to promote a system of care suited to cases of GBV among adolescents.

A sample ethics application to the African Independent Ethics Committee (AIEC) for research on social work with women victims of violence in Morocco

This article provides a sample of an ethics application to the African Independent Ethics Committee (AIEC). It is based on research with women victims of violence in Morocco, grounded in the African Ubuntu philosophy. Emphasizing interconnectedness and community respect, this ethical approach aims to enhance care for victims of gender-based violence through community-oriented and empathetic methods. At the end of this sample application, there are three appendices: the ethics application form of the AIEC, eight basic Ubuntu ethics in research and guidance on how to write an ethics statement. By sharing this sample application, and the appended information, authors intent to share knowledge of ethics planning in research with learners, academics, researchers, members of ethics boards, reviewers, editors and publishers in Africa and beyond. HOW TO REFERENCE USING ASWDNET STYLE Mrabti, L. & Belamfedel Alaoui, Z. (2024). An ethics application for research on social work with women victims of violence in Morocco. African Journal of Social Work, 14(4), 174-184. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v14i4.1 Visit journal website: https://ajsw.africasocialwork.net

Social Intervention That Facilitates Recovery from Gender-Based Violence: Dialogic Reconstruction of Memory

Services for victims of gender-based violence are an interdisciplinary work space where the recovery of women and, thus, preventing their social exclusion are among the main objectives. Although previous scientific literature provides some indicators of the social impact of these services, that is, the improvements in the lives of these women, and allow them to advance in their recovery, it is necessary to deepen and broaden this knowledge. One of the objectives of the SOLNET R&D research was to more comprehensively identify the indicators of the social impact of these interventions. This objective was achieved by carrying out 8 case studies and a total of 56 interviews—32 of which involved women who were victims of violence—in third-sector organisations that tend to women victims in 7 different regions of Spain. The results of our research show that the dialogical reconstruction of the memory of violence contributes to overcoming one of the main barriers to women’s recovery: emotional dependency. To achieve this impact, the dialogic reconstruction of memory should focus on changing the image these women have of the abuser and the conceptions of love associated with violence. These results have important implications for the design and evaluation of interventions carried out in services for women victims of gender-based violence. The application of these results can help these women successfully leave the situation of violence and build a violence-free future.

Exploring the Role of Women in Gender-Based Violence: Deconstructing the One-sided Narrative in Bityi, Eastern Cape, South Africa

The study addresses the critical and pervasive issue of gender-based violence (GBV), a universal human rights violation affecting individuals across the globe, irrespective of cultural, socioeconomic, or religious backgrounds. While GBV predominantly impacts women, this research sought to highlight the often-overlooked fact that men can also be victims, challenging the one-sided narrative that typically surrounds this issue. Conducted in Bhityi, Eastern Cape, South Africa, the study employed a qualitative approach, collecting data from 12 participants through semi-structured interviews. The study was framed by the Person-In-Environment theory and aimed to understand the role of women in perpetrating GBV against men. The findings revealed that men experience various forms of GBV at the hands of women, including emotional, physical, verbal, financial, and sexual abuse. However, such incidents are rarely reported, attributed to cultural norms, the fear of secondary victimisation, and a lack of support and protection for male victims. To address this gap, the study recommended the development of programs to raise awareness about male victimisation and to foster open dialogue among men about their experiences with GBV. This research contributes significantly to the field of social work by offering insights into the experiences of male victims of GBV, thereby enriching the body of knowledge with a largely absent perspective. It informs officials and practitioners about enhanced intervention skills and strategies and influences legislators to develop policies that protect the rights of both women and men. By acknowledging men as victims, the study not only challenges the prevailing narrative about GBV but also provides a platform for male victims to seek help and support, adding depth and nuance to societal understanding of GBV. Keywords: Human Rights, Gender-based violence, Gender-bias, the role of women in gender-based violence, Person-In-Environment theory

Kerentanan Perempuan dalam KBGO

Technological advancements have increased the forms and types of crimes, including online gender-based violence (GBV). The COVID-19 pandemic has driven Indonesian society to engage in online activities, leading to a 23% increase in internet usage by April 2020, but also triggering a surge in cyberattacks, with 190 million cases recorded during the same period. Cases of online GBV have risen from 281 in 2020 to 1697 in 2023. This research examines the vulnerability of women to online GBV and the challenges faced by the Gender Justice Advocates Collective (KAKG) in providing legal protection. Factors such as patriarchal culture, lack of digital literacy, objectification of women, and victim-blaming culture exacerbate women's vulnerability. KAKG faces obstacles including limited human resources, insufficient family support, and difficulties in determining the location of crimes. This study employs a non-doctrinal method, examining the implementation of laws in society. Interview data indicate that the majority of online GBV victims are women, with a significant increase in complaints from 2022 to 2023. The study highlights the importance of digital literacy education and training for law enforcement officers with a victim-centered and gender-equitable perspective to effectively handle online GBV cases.

Youth Reception of Gender-Based Violence Victim in Soft White Underbelly YouTube Channel

Soft White Underbelly is a YouTube channel that produces content of interviews with marginalized people in America. It uncovers stories of stigmatized people and reveals the systemic inequality behind their presence. Gender-based violence (GBV) is one of the issues addressed on this channel. It portrays how prostitutes are victims of GBV. The author applied Stuart Hall’s audience reception theory. The theory proposes that media messages are not static. Hall suggested that expectations and prior knowledge influence their text interpretation. This research investigates how young audiences perceive portrayals of GBV victims in Soft White Underbelly's videos on prostitution and explores the factors that influence these perceptions. A qualitative method was adopted, employing audience reception analysis as the approach. Informants were international YouTube users between the ages of 18 and 30. The study finds various receptions, influenced by social factors, media habits, educational levels, personal experiences, and economic factors. Furthermore, this research confirms that Hall's reception theory is evident in today's audience reception. The findings demonstrate how viewers can develop critical awareness, interpret media texts, and disseminate them back into their social environment.

Sexual Assault of the Female Gender Admitted to the "One Stop Centre" Unit in Commune I of the District of Bamako: Epidemiological, Clinical and Legal Management Aspects

Sexual violence is an all-encompassing expression that designates "any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, comment or advance of a sexual nature directed against a person's sexuality using coercion. The general objective was to study sexual assaults based on the female gender in the "One Stop Center" unit of the reference health center in commune I of the district of Bamako, Republic of Mali. Methodology: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of sexual assaults on women admitted to the commune I One Stop Center. All survivors of sexual assault admitted to the One Stop Center during the study period were included; confidentiality and anonymity were respected. Results: We recorded 224 cases of victims of gender-based violence out of 10,924 gynaecological consultations received at the department, a frequency of 2.05%. Of the 224 victims of gender-based violence admitted to the One Stop Centre, 109 (48.66%) were victims of sexual assault. The average age of the patients was 14.12 ± 5.06 years, with extremes of 2 and 36 years. The victims were all female. The majority of survivors (94%) were single. More than half of the victims (55%) were pupils. More than half of the assaults (57.8%) took place between 7pm and midnight. 60.6% of the assaults took place at the survivors' homes. In 8% of cases, weapons were threatened. We found that hymenal lesions were predominant in 76.2% of cases. HIV serology was positive in 1% of victims. Antibiotic prophylaxis was the predominant medical treatment in 69.7% of cases. Suture of the vulvo-perineal tear was the surgical treatment in 2.8% of cases. Out-of-court settlements were the solution in the majority of cases (20.18% of cases), followed by withdrawal of the complaint to the court (6.4% of victims). Conclusion: This study has shown that sexual violence against women is increasing in scale and severity despite the regulatory and legislative framework

The Labor Market Integration of Women Having Suffered Gender Violence: Some Critical Questions.

The integration of women victims of gender-based violence (WVGBV) in the labor market is key to women's autonomy and empowerment. After pursuing some personal stability in different domains (emotional, physical, relational, etc.), these women require a further step toward recovery, which is often related to financial independence and, therefore, to their integration in the labor market. In this article, we describe the results of a study that focused on the actions aimed at integrating WVGBV into the labor market in the region of Andalusia (Spain). Based on a qualitative methodology, we collected the narratives and perspectives of the different actors involved in these processes (public administrations, nongovernmental organizations, the business world, and the WVGBV). The results revealed a series of deficiencies in social intervention methodologies that can sometimes lead to greater social exclusion. In conclusion, we believe that more participatory methodologies in their design, incorporating the views of woman themselves, are necessary.

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.

Situation and needs of interpreters working with deaf, migrant, refugee and asylum seeking victims of gender-based violence in the Spanish context

En este artículo se han analizado respuestas a un cuestionario, que tenía como objetivo conocer la situación y las necesidades de intérpretes que trabajan con víctimas de violencia de género sordas, migrantes, refugiadas y solicitantes de asilo, en el marco del proyecto europeo JUSTISIGNS2. El análisis se ha focalizado en el caso de la interpretación de lengua de signos en España. Se ha hecho una selección de ítems del cuestionario que contribuye a una mejor comprensión del contexto en que se producen los intercambios mediados por intérprete en el caso de víctimas sordas. Los datos se han presentado estableciendo un contraste entre los obtenidos del total de respuestas recibidas y los que se refieren específicamente a la interpretación de la lengua de signos española en la mayoría de las preguntas. Las y los intérpretes, tanto de lenguas orales como signadas, destacan la necesidad de formación específica como un instrumento fundamental para la mejor atención a las víctimas de violencia de género.

Psychological–forensic expert assessment of complex post traumatic stress disorder in victims of gender-based violence

Given the inclusion of the Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-11), 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 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.

GENDER DISCRIMINATION

Over the course of the last several years, there has been a significant amount of attention paid to the grave issue of women in India misusing the judicial system. The fact that women in India are often subjected to discrimination and do not have equal rights and opportunities contributes to the existence of gender bias in many aspects of Indian society. However, the fact that women often take advantage of the judicial system just helps to exacerbate the gender bias that already exists. Throughout the history of the legal system, there have been several instances of women attaining their objectives, sometimes at the expense of men. This behaviour is not only inappropriate from a moral standpoint, but it also goes against the Constitution. In the Indian Constitution, there is no section that specifically addresses the issue of gender equality. Over the course of its history, the Constitution has been subjected to several amendments in order to ensure that women are afforded equal legal protection. It is a fundamental human right to ensure that women are protected from any kind of discrimination, regardless of circumstances. Despite this, prejudice against women continues to exist in many aspects of society, such as the marriage market, the job, and educational institutions. In India, the most prevalent instances of women misusing the judicial system are those that include domestic violence and offences involving dowries. According to Indian law, crimes that include dowries are considered to be of a criminal character and entail criminal consequences. Instead, women often create charges of dowry harassment against their husbands or in-laws in order to achieve what they want in a divorce or property dispute. This is done in order to get what they want. Because of this misuse, men are deprived of the rights that are rightfully theirs, in addition to eroding the value of the law. To add insult to injury, when confronted with charges of domestic violence, law enforcement officers often do nothing, so allowing the perpetrators of the abuse to take the blame. This violates not just the rights of the victims but also sends the message that violence against women is acceptable. One of the most significant issues that has to be addressed is the fact that women in India are misusing the judicial system. In accordance with the provisions of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees gender equality, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure that women are afforded equal rights and opportunities. It is imperative that we take precautions to prevent women from exploiting the legal system and to ensure that they are afforded enough protection against discrimination on the basis of their gender. Furthermore, individuals who are culpable for this crime should be subjected to the full force of the law, and victims of gender-based violence should get proper assistance and protection while they are victims.

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.

An explorative study on consequences of abuse on psychological wellbeing and cognitive outcomes in victims of gender-based violence.

The issue of gender-based violence has been a public health problem for years. Considering its systemic nature, the possible consequences at the individual level on the psychological and cognitive wellbeing of victims have been examined. The present research aims to explore the differences in the various types and forms of violence. A non-probability and convenience sample was used; a total of 83 participants joined the research. Inclusion criteria were minimum age of 18 years, female gender, and knowledge of the Italian language. Two non-parametric One-Way ANOVAs (Kruskal-Wallis) were performed according to the type of violence experienced and the type of self-reported abuse (i.e., no victimization, single victimization, complex victimization). Results showed that victims of violence scored higher overall than non-victims on all subscales of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. Analyses among the three groups-no violence, single violence, and complex violence-showed no differences in any of the dimensions between those who experienced single and complex violence, while differences emerged between the "no victimization" group and the other groups. The results were discussed in relation to the existing literature on the topic, highlighting the limitations and future applications of the collected data.