Violence Abuse Research Articles

A survey on video content rating: taxonomy, challenges and open issues

Rating a video based on its content is one of the most important solutions to classify videos for audience age groups. In this regard, Film content rating and TV programmes rating are the only two most common rating systems which have been accomplished by the professional committees. However, due to the huge number of short videos shared in social media, it is impossible to review and rate their contents manually by a committee. Therefore, a proper solution is by utilizing computer vision capabilities to analyze the video content and rate it. Automatic Video Content Rating (VCR) system rates a short video to classify it for audience age groups. Inspired by the current manually film and TV programmes rating systems, VCR depends on five main components that comprise violence, profanity language, nudity, pornography, and substance abuse. To date, several reviews and survey papers have addressed advancements and innovations in video content analysis such as violence, nudity, and pornography detection. However, the lack of a comprehensive survey paper to investigate a VCR system and explain taxonomy, challenges, and open issues is discovered; thus, this study is undertaken. In this paper, in addition, to fill this gap, we review deep learning studies related to the relevant subjects of VCR. Moreover, we have investigated recently published works related to VCR based on the audio, static visual and, motion visual aspects of a video. Furthermore, related current datasets are investigated as well as the performances of published models in these datasets are compared. Finally, the challenges and the future of VCR are discussed.

Adolescent Dating Violence: Results of a Mixed Study in Quito, Ecuador.

Dating violence is a public health problem affecting people worldwide. This study evaluated the occurrence of different types of adolescent dating violence using a mixed analysis of each data source. The present study addresses the following research questions: does the occurrence of the types of violence analyzed in the quantitative phase match with the narratives obtained in the qualitative phase? and does the additional information obtained in the qualitative phase improve the understanding of the analyzed phenomenon?In the quantitative phase, 410 participants (aged 13 to 19 years) answered a questionnaire based on the Modified Conflict Tactics Scale, while in the qualitative phase, 26 participated in two focus groups. Data were collected from May to June 2019. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents or legal guardians of those who had agreed to participate. The present research was approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Pontifical Catholic University of Ecuador. The results were divided on: prevalence of dating violence based on age groups and gender, management and resolution of dating conflicts, victimization and perpetration of intimate partner violence, factors favoring intimate partner violence and acceptance of abuse. The results were analyzed via triangulation and indicated that adolescents were involved in the perpetration and victimization of psychological as well as mild and severe physical violence. An analysis of the contributing factors revealed a strong tendency toward the acceptance of the traditional gender model. Challenging these models is crucial to deconstruct hierarchical models, develop conflict resolution skills, and promptly identify abusive behaviors that affect emotional development. The combination of different methodological approaches improved the understanding of the phenomenon studied.

Criminal punishment and violent injury in Minnesota

BackgroundViolence is one of the leading causes of injury and death in the United States. One-way society attempts to eliminate violence is through criminal punishment. Yet, in many contexts, punishment fails to reduce violence and may cause other harms. Current research on violence often suffers from same-source bias which can produce spurious associations. This study assesses the associations of different forms of criminal punishment (monetary sanctions, incarceration, and probation) with violent injuries in two unique datasets.MethodsThis study examines a unique combination of hospital discharge data and court administrative data, two Minnesota county-level data sources. First, we assess the spatial distribution of the three criminal punishment variables and two violent injury variables, violent injury overall and violent injury in children by county from 2010 to 2014, using Moran’s I statistic and Local Indicators of Spatial Autocorrelation. Then we assess the association of criminal punishment on violent injury and child abuse injury using a two-way fixed effects panel models.ResultsChild abuse injuries are relatively rare in our data but are significantly concentrated geographically, unlike violent injuries which are more dispersed throughout Minnesota. Incarceration and probation are significantly geographically concentrated in similar regions while monetary sanctions are not geographically concentrated. We find a link between probation loads and violent injury, specifically, with a 1 day increase in per capita probation supervision associated with a 0.044 increase in violent injury incidence per 1000 people. In contrast, monetary sanctions and incarceration loads have little association with either violent injury or child abuse injury incidence.ConclusionsCriminal punishment is intended to reduce harm in society, but many argue that it may bring unintended consequences such as violence. This study finds that county-level probation has a modest positive association with county-level violent injury rates, but monetary sanctions and incarceration are less associated with violence injury rates. No measure of criminal punishment was associated with a reduction in violence. This study addresses a gap in previous literature by examining the association of punishment and violence in two unrelated datasets. High rates of criminal punishment and violent injury are both urgent public health emergencies. Further individual-level investigation is needed to assess potential links.

Niñas y niños migrantes en Antofagasta (Chile): experiencias de inclusión social y polivictimización

En este artículo se analizan las tensiones y las oportunidades que experimentan las niñas, los niños y adolescentes migrantes en los procesos de inclusión sociocultural que viven en la ciudad de Antofagasta, Chile. El estudio profundizó sobre las experiencias de múltiples violencias que ha vivido la infancia migrante, desde el enfoque de la polivictimización, la perspectiva interseccional y una visión crítica de la infancia. A partir de la aplicación de entrevistas semiestructuradas a niñas, niños y adolescentes migrantes, sus familias y profesionales e interventores/as, se concluye que existen prácticas de discriminación y racismo en el grupo de pares; se viven situaciones de violencia directa e indirecta en los barrios y comunidades donde habitan; también se constatan casos de maltrato intrafamiliar y de abuso sexual. Las múltiples jerarquías de poder y desigualdad que tiene especificaciones respecto del territorio operan en un nivel discursivo y en las prácticas de los agentes sociales, por lo tanto, se recomienda que la intervención y políticas públicas tomen en cuenta la realidad migratoria regional.

Exploring the differences between men\u2019s and women\u2019s perceptions of gender-based violence in rural Tajikistan: a qualitative study

BackgroundMost women living in rural provinces of Tajikistan, specifically Khatlon, experience little to no opportunities for education and economic growth, making them vulnerable to gender-based violence (GBV). Unfortunately due to social norms that are bolstered by a patriarchal society, GBV has become tolerated and even normalized in rural areas. This study looks to investigate the differences in perceptions of violence as it relates to empowerment among men and women in rural Tajikistan.MethodsData collection was done through participatory workshops and semi-structured interviews (SSI) that were led by Extension Home Economists, which lectured on gender, violence, and empowerment. Community Empowerment Drawings is a novel tool that has been used to further gather sensitive information that was not previously discussed. During this process, participant groups were asked to draw their perception of empowered versus disempowered women, later explaining the different characteristics and traits of both. Random participants across both genders were later contacted for a SSI to triangulate the data from the participatory workshops. This qualitative study implemented qualitative content analysis to explore the data inductively. Analysis of the drawings and transcripts from the workshops and SSIs included two researchers coding through an iterative process. Themes were stratified by men’s and women’s perceptions and codebooks were compared to ensure consensus.ResultsMen and women from 12 villages participated in the Community Empowerment Drawings within each workshop, with 234 participants total. Results were stratified into two categories which were later broken down into notable themes: education, employment, decision-making, marital status, relationship wellness and respect, violence, mental health, and substance abuse. Major findings illustrated how disempowered women were perceived to have more exposure to men who experience alcohol abuse. This study found that differences in perceptions of empowerment between men and women remain—with men still holding onto the traditional power structure within a household and women challenging gender roles and mobility.ConclusionFuture studies may find engaging communities through drawings will yield more information regarding sensitive topics rather than traditional instruments. More support and advocacy are needed in areas of mental, neurological, and substance abuse disorders throughout rural Tajikistan.

“They are not satisfied until they see our blood”: Syndemic HIV risks for trans women in urban Haiti

The contribution of gender identity, neighborhood characteristics, contextual norms, and socio-political factors to the biopsychosocial health of non-heteronormative persons in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is understudied. Using syndemic theory, we conducted two focus groups (FGs) of 16 non-heteronormative individuals in Haiti's urban Cité Soleil neighborhood. Eight individuals participated in each FG. ATLAS.ti facilitated thematic content analysis of transcripts. Results indicate that disparity conditions in Cité Soleil (extreme poverty, gang violence, easy access of weapons by criminals, lack of law enforcement, and a 3.6% Human Immunodeficiency Virus [HIV] rate) facilitate a syndemic of substance abuse and non-partner sexual violence. These interact adversely with gender expression, transphobia, transmisogyny, cissexism, lack of confidential HIV testing, and hostilities from religious groups to increase participants' risks of coercive non-partner sexual violence by groups of inebriated men. Injuries from sexual violence, limited access to confidential HIV testing, and inaccurate HIV knowledge heighten HIV risk and anxiety. Haiti’s negative human rights record, 2.2% HIV prevalence, and cultural norms that devalue women are syndemic pathways that perpetuate or worsen disparity conditions and health risks, particularly for trans women. It is a moral, ethical, public health, and social justice mandate to address HIV prevention and mental health promotion for Haitian trans women.

Abuse-to-Prison Pipeline: A Call for A Human Rights Approach

ABSTRACT This Special Issue is applying a human rights framework to address risk and vulnerability, as well as the implications of trauma across the lifespan from a trauma-informed lens with applied intersectional theory. The intention of this special issue is to identify mixed methods research and literature reviews on the collective impact of trauma and how trauma may be a pathway for justice-involvement. Authors utilized diverse sampling and methodologies with applied psychological, sociological, and criminological theories with particular attention to polyvictimization, and/or history of child abuse and/or history of domestic violence (DV)/interpersonal violence (IPV), and involved with one or multiple institutions. Recommendations encompassed next steps in research among community samples and justice-involved participants, policy, and best practices within our justice and community-based systems to create sustainable programs that are trauma-responsive, culturally sensitive, and gendered interventions to reflect the populations being served.

The protective role of community health workers in supporting mother–infant bonding

ABSTRACT Community health workers have been shown to be an effective way to improve health outcomes in under-resourced contexts like South Africa. Community health workers can support health and well-being through supporting mother-infant bonding, which is associated with a wide range of benefits. The bond between mother and infant is critical for infants' health, nutrition, care, and future development. However, mother-infant bonding faces many challenges in South Africa, including poverty, poor health care, lack of education, maternal depression, substance abuse, and high rates of crime and violence. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore how community health workers might enhance mother-infant bonding. Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 community health workers. A thematic analysis suggests that that there are many contextual inhibitors of mother-infant bonding, that support is vital for mother-infant bonding, and that community health workers provide comprehensive, holistic support.

"A Community of Survivors": A Grounded Theory of Organizational Support for Survivor-Advocates in Domestic Violence Agencies.

Half of today's domestic violence (DV) advocates are survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) or other forms of abuse. Yet, little is known about the experiences of those who are both survivors and advocates, especially regarding organizational relationships, policies, and culture, and how these factors shape well-being. This grounded theory study of 12 survivor-advocates identified three dimensions of organizational support that contribute survivor-advocates' well-being: acknowledging their trauma-related needs, fostering belonging, and honoring strengths. In each case, these organizational factors contribute to well-being through the mechanism of validating their identities as survivors. Suggestions for organizations to better support survivor-advocates are discussed.

Family Violence in the Educational Context: A Bibliometric Study

Family violence is one of the social problems that most concerns citizens today. Different subtypes of this violence continue to proliferate in the family context such as gender violence and child abuse. However, in recent years there has been an increase in cases of abuse of adolescent children towards their parents, giving rise to the phenomenon of child to parent violence. In order to analyse the scientific productivity of family violence, a bibliometric analysis was carried out. 679 scientific articles published from the date of origin of the subject to 2019 were analysed through the application of various bibliometric indicators. The results showed that the productivity on domestic violence is currently insufficient due to the existence of different types of violence that take place in the family nucleus and whose substantial elements differ from each other. Therefore, the need to continue contributing to research in this area of knowledge is reiterated.

Shifting the Service Referral Paradigm Using Community-Based Second Responders: Examining Weapon Use in Intimate Partner Violence

To address a rise in intimate partner violence (IPV) related homicides, Cincinnati Police Department (CPD) partnered with Women Helping Women (WHW), a community, gender-based violence prevention organization to create the Domestic Violence Enhanced Response Team (DVERT). Second responders are sent out to the scene of IPV police calls to better address the needs of survivors and connect them with services. The aim of this study is to assess how calls involving weapons differed from those that did not. The sample included 1253 calls from August 2018 to January 2020, which were then categorized by whether or not the incident included a weapon. A series of bivariate analyses were conducted to assess for differences between groups in perpetrator and survivor characteristics, harm incurred, criminal justice responses, and referrals for services. There were significant differences in perpetrator characteristics between weapon involvement groups. Perpetrators in the weapon involvement group were more likely to have access to weapons; history of physical violence, verbal or mental abuse; substance abuse problems, and mental illness. Black women were disproportionately more likely to have a weapon used on them. The criminal justice system did not differ significantly in their response to cases involving weapons. However, survivors of weapons related cases were overall more likely to receive service referrals. Findings suggest a need for community-based second responder programs to partner with police departments to address the multitude of needs for survivors given the lethality of these incidents.

Online Activism Against Gender-Based Violence: How African Feminism is Using Twitter for Progress

The chief goal of African feminism has been to better African women’s dire conditions in a mainly patriarchal society. Over the last five years however, the tide appears to be turning as feminists across the continent make greater use of online platforms to work change. This paper discusses the ways in which African women are using Twitter to protest against the abusive conditions women face including early and forced marriages, domestic abuse, abduction, sexual assault, slavery and other forms of genderbased violence. Through the lens of three hashtag campaigns (#BringBackOurGirls, #JusticeforNoura and #JusticeForOchanya), the paper examines the impact of twittering on African gender activism. Through Critical Discussion Analysis of selected tweets three key narratives emerged, constructed by the online activists who took part in the campaigns: Solidarity in Feminist Sisterhood; Gender Equality; and A Call for Justice. The tweets are analysed under these themes showing that the meanings constructed by the activists helped advance the African feminist cause. The paper concludes with the lessons to be drawn from the campaigns, which show social media’s scope for advancing the goals of African feminism.

Exploring the Impact of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Its Relationship with Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Study on Experts’ Perceptions

Technology-facilitated abuse can be a serious form of domestic violence. Little is known about the relationship between technology-facilitated abuse and other types of domestic violence, or the impact technology-facilitated abuse has on survivors. The aim of this interpretative descriptive study is to understand domestic violence specialist service providers’ perspectives on the impact of technology-facilitated abuse, and the link between technology-facilitated abuse and other forms of domestic violence. A qualitative approach using 15 semi-structured interviews were undertaken with Australian domestic violence specialist practitioners, and three themes were identified through data coding using inductive thematic analysis. Another form of control describes technology-facilitated abuse behaviors as enacting controlling behaviors using new mediums. Amplifies level of fear characterizes the impact of technology-facilitated abuse. A powerful tool to engage others describes opportunities technology offers perpetrators to abuse through engaging others. Findings highlight technology-facilitated abuse’s complexity and integral role in domestic violence and can assist clinicians to understand the impact and harm that can result from technology-facilitated abuse.

Attitudes to and experiences of intimate partner violence among Rohingya women who married before eighteen years of age

ABSTRACT Currently, around a million Rohingya refugees live in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. This study examines the attitudes toward physical abuse and experiences of intimate partner violence (IPV) of Rohingya refugee women who experienced child marriage. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in the Rohingya refugee settlement at Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Attitudes towards physical abuse have been assessed by a set of five questions that asked the situation under which ‘hitting or beating’ one’s wife is justifiable. Multivariable logistic regressions are used to examine the associations of exposure to child marriage with (i) attitudes towards the justification of physical abuse by one’s husband and (ii) experiences of IPV in the 12 months prior to the survey. Data are available for 486 participants. Overall, 61.32% of women experienced child marriage (married before 18 years of age) and they were more likely to have strongly justified beatings/hitting one’s wife under certain circumstances (Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) = 2.71; 95%CI: 1.78, 4.11), and to have experienced such IPV by their husbands in the 12 months prior to the survey (AOR = 1.72; 95%CI: 1.13, 2.61). These AORs are higher for women married at ages 12–14 than those married at 15–17. Having some formal education among husband and wife is protective of abuse within a marriage. Rohingya women’s attitudes towards and experiences of IPV are associated with their exposure to child marriage. Interventions for stopping child marriage, marriage registration, social support group, and legal interventions are needed. Offering formal education to all children needs to be prioritized.

신체학대 및 가정폭력의 중복발생과 아동의 비행궤적의 관계연구

본 연구는 아동의 비행궤적에 대한 신체학대 및 가정폭력의 중복발생의 영향력을 확인하는 것을 목적으로 한다. 이를 위해 한국복지패널의 아동부가조사의 1, 4, 7차 년도 자료를 사용하여, 총 497명을 대상으로 잠재성장분석을 진행하였다. 연구결과, 비행경험은 아동이 성장함에 따라 감소하는 경향이 있었으며, 아동 개인 간 비행경험의 차이는 상당하였다. 또한 신체학대와 가정폭력의 중복발생은 비행궤적과 관련이 있었다. 특히 신체학대 및 가정폭력이 중복으로 발생하는 가정의 경우, 시간이 지날수록 비행경험이 증가하는 것으로 나타났다. 이러한 결과를 바탕으로 본 연구는 실천적, 정책적 함의를 논하였다.

Trapped in a Maze: Arab Teachers in Israel Facing Child Sexual Abuse Among Their Pupils.

Cultural contexts are formative of and fundamental to how individuals understand, conceptualize, and act within a context of violence. Conceptually and methodologically, however, research from a culturally informed perspective on the experiences of teachers contending with the violence of child sexual abuse (CSA) in particular is broadly limited. As educators frequently confront cases of CSA in their everyday work, their ability to promote detection, disclosure intervention, and especially prevention gives them the potential to be agents of social change; however, while their responsibilities are critical, they are simultaneously members of their communities and cultures, and their interactions are bound by these dynamics. The purpose of the study is to analyze the experiences of Arab teachers in Israel who confront CSA in their everyday work. The findings are based on qualitative thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with 30 female Arab teachers working within the Arab school system in Israel. Results indicate that when facing CSA, the teachers experience an ongoing conflict between their cultural and professional codes, trapping them in a maze of intertwining and oppositional demands. On the one hand, they are constrained by the norm of protecting the honor and maintaining the status and reputation of those involved, including themselves; on the other hand, as empathetic professionals, they desire to aid their pupils. While the participants do not accept the status quo, they are effectively at a loss as to how to change it. In order find a way out of their entrapment in coping with CSA among their pupils, the only currently available path is to act as a lone hero; there is, however, the potential to foster the development of a secondary culture within the school to inaugurate cultural change in coping with CSA. Implications for future research, policy, and practice are discussed.

Facing Fear Through Making Connections as We Age

Older residents often experience disruption in family relationships and social networks due to isolation once they move into public housing communities. While the need for social contact continues, the opportunity may diminish. Older African-American women living in one housing community attempted to cope with their personal safety fears through social isolation (Bowland, 2015). Women in the study (N = 25) were survivors of one or more forms of interpersonal trauma, including childhood abuse, sexual assault and domestic violence. In contrast, a few women in the same sample spontaneously formed social networks within the community. This qualitative investigation will examine how the women adapted to an isolating and unsafe environment by developing social connections. As a social determinant of health, developing healthy social networks inside a housing community can reduce fear and improve well-being and quality of life for low-income older residents who are aging-in-place.

Predictors and correlates of lifetime and persistent non-suicidal self-injury and suicide attempts among adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse

ABSTRACT Background: Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) is a well-established risk factor for non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts (SA); still few studies have examined predictors of individual differences in NSSI/SA amongst CSA survivors. Objective: To examine predictors of NSSI and SA among adult CSA-survivors. Methods: In a sample of 516, primarily female adult CSA-survivors recruited from support centres for sexual abuse survivors in Norway, we examined the role of abuse/perpetrator characteristics, and the degree/severity of exposure to other types of childhood maltreatment (cumulative childhood maltreatment; CCM), as predictors of lifetime NSSI and SA. In a subsample of 138 individuals responding to follow-up waves two- and four years later, these same distal factors, as well as previous NSSI and proximal factors in the form of symptoms of mental health disorders (posttraumatic stress, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, and eating disorders), relational problems, and perceived social support, were examined as predictors of persistent NSSI. Finally, those attempting new SA during the follow-up period were compared to those who did not on these variables. Results: Higher CCM scores and having had an unknown perpetrator positively predicted lifetime NSSI scores. Higher CCM scores, violent abuse, and having had an unknown perpetrator predicted lifetime SA. Higher CCM scores, previous NSSI, having had a known perpetrator, as well as higher depression-, anxiety- and eating disorder scores, positively predicted persistent NSSI during the four-year follow-up period. Compared to those with no new SA, those reporting new SA during the follow-up period had higher CCM, lifetime NSSI, mental health symptoms and relational problem scores, lower perceived social support scores, and were more likely to have done a past SA and to have experienced abuse involving physical violence. Conclusions: A broad range of both distal and proximal factors should be assessed as potential predictors of NSSI and SA among adult CSA-survivors.

Residential childcare workers in child welfare and moral distress

• Moral distress is identified among residential childcare workers in child welfare. • Moral distress is a threat to worker and child well-being in residential settings. • Trauma-informed care is indicated to mitigate moral distress among workers. Residential childcare workers in child welfare (RCWs) can suffer negative impacts as a result of exposure to distressing experiences at work, such as violence and details of child abuse. These impacts undermine the well-being of RCWs and the children in their care. One dimension of the suffering RCWs can experience is psychological distress. An exploratory theoretical thematic analysis of the narratives of RCWs was performed to further understanding about the nature of the psychological distress reported by RCWs. This secondary analysis of ten semi-structured interviews identified a novel source of psychological distress unrelated to potentially traumatic experiences. This source of distress, described thematically as a “barriers to care,” was related to the nature of RCW work. This study introduces moral distress as a relevant concept towards explaining this theme and expanding understanding about the impacts of residential childcare work on RCWs. The implementation of system-wide trauma-informed care is proposed as preventive strategy and response to moral distress. Further research using validated measures to capture the impacts of implementing trauma-informed care on RCW psychological distress generally, and moral distress more specifically, is indicated.

A fragilização dos vínculos familiares dos adolescentes em liberdade assistida

Este é um estudo qualitativo e de campo realizado em 2019 numa cidade de pequeno porte do interior paulista, com o objetivo de descrever as relações familiares de adolescentes em liberdade assistida e as violações e violências vividas. Os métodos foram compostos por uma intervenção por meio de uma Oficina de Promoção da Saúde e da Cultura da Paz, além de seis grupos focais, entrevista com pais e responsáveis e análise dos Planos Individuais de Atendimento, com participação de 12 adolescentes. Duas categorias emergiram: Família e Violência. As relações familiares com os adolescentes evidenciam a fragmentação e rompimento de vínculos afetivos, e perpassam problemas sociais que afetam diretamente estes indivíduos, como o acesso ou o não acesso aos serviços de saúde, assistência social e educação, além do emprego, renda, saneamento básico e diversos outros fatores sociais, como raça, sexo e gênero. Na questão da violência verificou-se: conflitos frente aos agentes da segurança, temor pelo espaço público, negação do direito de ir e vir, abuso sexual de crianças e violência contra a mulher. Nas construções familiares dos adolescentes em cumprimento de medidas socioeducativas, aponta-se a importância da implementação da Cultura da Paz, perpassando pela capacitação dos profissionais, estruturação dos serviços e órgãos, democratização do processo de tomada de decisão e participação ativa de todos os atores.