AIDS In Women Research Articles

Cellular and extracellular vaginal changes following murine ovarian removal.

Loss of estrogen as a result of aging, pelvic cancer therapy, genetics, or eating disorders affects numerous body systems including the reproductive tract. Specifically, a chronic hypoestrogenic state fosters debilitating vaginal symptoms like atrophy, dryness, and dyspareunia. Current treatment options, including vaginal estrogen and hyaluronan (HA), anecdotally improve symptoms, but rectifying mechanisms are largely understudied. In order to study the hypoestrogenic vaginal environment, in particular the extracellular matrix (ECM), as well as understand the mechanisms behind current treatments and develop new therapies, we characterized a reliable and reproducible animal model. Bilateral ovariectomies (OVX) were performed on 9-week-old CD1 mice. After 1 month of estrogen loss due to ovarian removal, a phenotype that is similar to human vaginal tissue in an estrogen reduced state was noted in mice compared to sham-operated controls. The uterine to body weight ratio decreased by 80% and vaginal epithelium was significantly thinner in OVX compared to sham mice. Estrogen signaling was altered in OVX, but submucosal ERα localization did not reach statistical differences. HA localization in the submucosal area was altered and CD44 expression decreased in OVX mice. Collagen turn-over was altered following OVX. The inflammation profile was also disrupted, and submucosal vaginal CD45+ and F4/80+ cell populations were significantly reduced in the OVX mice. These results show altered cellular and molecular changes due to reduced estrogen levels. Developing new treatments for hypoestrogenic vaginal symptoms rely on better understanding of not only the cellular changes, but also the altered vaginal ECM environment. Further studies using this mouse model has the potential to advance women's vaginal health treatments and aid in understanding the interplay between organ systems in both healthy, aged, and diseased states.

Specialist support for survivors of domestic abuse during COVID-19

Health visitors have a crucial and unique role in identifying and supporting those affected by domestic abuse as the current pandemic increases the risk of harm towards survivors. This article reflects on how COVID-19 and lockdown restrictions have exacerbated risks to survivors, barriers to support and the mental and physical health effects. It will provide insight into how frontline domestic abuse workers at Solace Women's Aid have continued to support survivors, from the experience of three Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) Advocate Educators, working across two London boroughs.

Domestic violence through the window of the COVID-19 lockdown: a public crisis embodied/exposed in the private/domestic sphere

COVID-19 has been recognized globally as a public health crisis, which has directly led to the deaths of more than 40,000 people in the UK (World Health Organization, 2020). The lockdown measures in the public sphere have created a window into the existing violence in the domestic sphere, as increasing incidents and reports have propelled what is more often thought of as private violence into the public gaze. The COVID-19 lockdown in the UK has made visible a collapse of the public and private sphere, blurring the boundaries between the two. As work and childcare have moved within the home, the structural inequalities of austerity have been exposed and the widening gender, class and racial cracks of society are illuminated in lockdown. Our paper draws upon an intersectional cultural and materialist analysis to explore how the cultural and economic bricks of the public and private sphere have been layered through the tools of i) representation and marginalization in the public sphere; ii) the division of labor through the devaluing of care-giving and precarious work; and iii) the location of public and private legal issues. Through this critical intersectional analysis, we explore how the material construction of the public and private sphere is being dismantled in the long-term everyday crisis interventions of domestic violence support groups, Refuge, Women's Aid and Southall Black Sisters, and in relation to the authors' local interventions with CLOCK.

Love Island and Relationship Education.

The rise of reality TV programmes focussing on relationships and the search for “love” has focussed media attention on the portrayal of healthy relationships, gender roles, and intimate partner abuse (IPVA). Love Island, a UK reality TV programme, was watched in 2019 by over 3 million viewers, a majority of whom are young women aged 16–34, though a younger teenage demographic also watch. Many of these younger viewers may be learning about what healthy relationships are like, and entering their first romantic relationships. Contestant's behavior on Love Island prompted Women's Aid to issue a statement speaking out against unhealthy behaviors in relationships—especially “gaslighting,” a form of emotional abuse that makes someone question their own feelings, memories, and version of reality. Based on our experience of running a relationship education program in 24 schools, as part of the Tender national partnership and our research with young people on their perceptions of Love Island, the paper will examine the role reality TV programmes play in young people's understandings of healthy relationships. It argues representations of relationships on Love Island are framed within normative heterosexuality, and enables the normalization of emotional abuse. However, we also argue that these programmes can be a catalyst for discussion amongst young people and open up spaces, especially online, to challenge dominant constructions of relationships. It also makes recommendations for education policy and practice around relationship and sex education in schools.

When Women's Rights are Not Human Rights – the Non‐ Performativity of the Human Rights of Victims of Domestic Abuse within English Family Law

AbstractA large proportion of child contact cases in England take place within a context of domestic abuse and significant risks to victims and their childrenq associated with post separation contact. The legal response has largely been inadequate and the potential impact of human rights law by the family courts has yet to be fully explored. This paper analyses an exploratory empirical research project undertaken in 2017/2018 with Women's Aid England and 72 victims of domestic abuse regarding their experiences of human rights law in the family courts. The results, theorised through the lens of performativity and against the context of international human rights law, reveal a high level of non‐ performativity with respect to the human rights of the participants. The paper concludes with recommendations and the implications the analysis holds for feminist organisations if they are to fully realise the human rights of the victims of domestic abuse.

Udział kobiet w mediach a problematyka stereotypów płci

The role women play in the media can be analyzed in terms of their activity – women as creators of messages, or passivity – women as the recipients of mass messages. The latter aspect causes most controversy and frequently leads to the creation of sexual stereotypes. The range of male and female images in the mass media is highly diversified and not necessarily objective. While women tend to be increasingly present in the media, and the number of programs they prepare increases, men continue to prevail in the media sector. They hold a definite majority of managerial posts and more frequently act as experts and commentators on social and political events. The Communication of the European Commission for 2006–2010 stresses the role of the media and information campaigns in the elimination of sexual stereo- types. In 2010, the Commission adopted a new five-year strategy to facilitate better use of female potential. It should be the superior objective of a policy of gender equality in the media to broadcast balanced messages free from stereotypes. It is also significant to ensure women a greater participation in decision-making with respect to the mass media, increasing their opportunities to utilize the media to voice their opinions and facilitating women’s professional promotion in media institutions. These objectives were already embraced in the National Program in Aid of Women’s Rights that was implemented in Poland from 2003 through 2005. In 2010, the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and the „Feminoteka” Foundation stressed the issue of women’s discrimination in the Polish mass media. Monitoring of programs demonstrated that the principle of gender equality was not observed. The so-called female press is a significant element of the media market. The issues discussed in this sector usually concentrate on stereotypical female roles in society. Recently, however, a clear diversification of topics handled by the press can be noted and the efforts some periodicals are making in order to break gender stereotypes. Such attempts have been made by two new periodicals addressed mainly at women: „Bluszcz” and „Zadra”. An analysis of the content of „Bluszcz” did not evidence the abandonment of the traditional image of women though. A perusal of „Zadra” led to completely different conclusions. This is a feminist periodical that mainly discusses the issues of the social and political activity of women. The paper also emphasizes the increasing participation of women in the internet and in the social media.

Demographic factors, mental health problems, and psychosocial resources influence women's AIDS risk

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to examine how depressive mood, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, self-efficacy, and social support are associated with HIV risk behaviors. Participants were sexually active women (N = 1488) recruited when attending gynecological consultations in primary care settings. Standardized questionnaires were administered to assess for depressive mood, abuse/assault-related PTSD, social support, self-efficacy, stress, and sexual risk behavior. The resulting association models showed that demographic factors, mental health problems, and resources are associated with sexual risk behavior. Detecting and treating mental health problems and interventions that bolster women's psychosocial resources are warranted.

Domestic abuse: A public health epidemic?

The 2016 Women's Aid annual conference on 7 July brought together a range of speakers, addressing issues such as health commissioning and mental health in relation to domestic abuse. Lisa Forbes reports

Crossing Borders: Preliminary Research on Human Trafficking in Northern Ireland

This research was done in response to a call for evidence from the Joint Committee of Human Rights in the UK Parliament, and constitutes the first research done on trafficking in Northern Ireland. It was published by Women's Aid Federation Northern Ireland and formed the basis for testimony at the above committee in May 2006. The paper argues for further resources: time, money, training and staffing priorities towards a greater knowledge of trafficked people in this country and a greater commitment to their protection and safety. Further it argues that legal frameworks need to be reformed to ensure that the victims of trafficking are treated in a manner consonant with their human rights, firstly as victims rather than illegal immigrants or criminals. The first section of this research outlines the difficulties of defining trafficking, and therefore of identifying people who have been trafficked. Section 2 continues with a brief outline of international, European, and domestic law. The third section of the research is a literature review of some general points about trafficking (mostly of women and children) to the UK and the patterns that have emerged in research that is based in England. There are two types of patterns into which the Northern Ireland context ‘fits.’ First, Northern Ireland is affected by international migration patterns that are shaped by conflict and gender inequality as well as increasing globalised financial systems. Second, some of the issues that have emerged in other parts of the UK - trafficking of women and children, unaccompanied minors - are also reflected in Northern Ireland. The fourth section of the research is focussed on Northern Ireland (in the context of the freedom of movement across the land border on the island). First, it details some assessments of immigration crime by police. Two newspapers are then surveyed for trafficking stories that have been in the public domain, mostly in the last 5 years. The search was restricted to The Irish News and The Belfast Telegraph; in these two publications; nonetheless patterns emerge that coincide with patterns of trafficking that have emerged in England. Finally, the results of written and face to face interviews with people are compiled. The police sources, newspaper reports and interview results together suggest that there is cause for concerns about four categories of trafficking in this country, sometimes overlapping. All four categories relate to the accepted international definition of the term. There is cause for concern about: 1) adults who have been smuggled into the country and subjected to exploitative labour practices. This may or may not constitute trafficking according to the definition, depending on the levels of coercion and exploitation practiced. This area will be noted because respondents noted it in their comments, but it cannot be developed very much in this paper. The paper will focus principally on the other categories that arose. 2) women and girls who have been trafficked or smuggled into the country and appeared to be subjected to exploitation, often in prostitution. 3) unaccompanied minors from other countries who have increased in numbers in recent years, with many questions attached to their presence here and 4) children and young people born in Northern Ireland who are being systematically sexually exploited in Northern Ireland and/or moved into other jurisdictions for the purposes of sexual exploitation. Concerns that have been raised more widely about the police response to trafficking, and low levels of awareness among other statutory workers (e.g. social workers) may also be justified in Northern Ireland. Finally, there is a concern specific to Northern Ireland that organised crime overlaps considerably with paramilitary activities in this jurisdiction and therefore there are particular challenges to law enforcement in this area.

Recovery-Promoters: Ways in which Children and Mothers Support One Another's Recoveries from Domestic Violence

Breaking with the tendency to focus on the deficits and pathologies of domestic violence victims, this article explores how children and mothers with past experiences of domestic violence may play key roles in effectively promoting one another's recoveries. Thirty participants from the UK (fifteen mothers and fifteen children) took part in qualitative, semi-structured interviews. The participants were current or former service users of organisations such as Women's Aid, and were recruited through these organisations. Only a minority of participants had accessed refuges. Data were thematically analysed using the Framework approach. The findings of the study suggest that mothers and children often require professional supports to begin recovering. However, recovery occurred not only through formal interventions; mothers and children themselves used a number of successful techniques to promote each other's long-term recoveries and well-being. These included reassuring one another about the past, present and future, rebuilding each other's confidence and self-esteem, and assisting one another to understand the past and overcome its emotional/behavioural impacts. This article discusses the ways in which formerly abused mothers and children accomplish this important recovery work, and assesses the implications for social workers and other practitioners.

Marinated in violence: therapeutic intervention for victims of domestic abuse

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to recount the author's experience of developing the first ever refuges for domestic violence, and the lessons learned about working with “violence-prone” people. Design/methodology/approach – This is a first hand, narrative account, interspersed with observations and commentary on the lessons learned. Findings – The author first identifies the author's own experience, as the child of several generations of violent parents, as central to the author's ability to empathise and work with women with similar histories. Learning together, and refusing to take responsibility away from the mothers, becomes central to the approach. Recognising the roots of violence requires in-depth, long-term relationship building with peers. The concept of “therapeutic chaos” sums up the way the spontaneous turmoil of the households seems to match and manage the cathartic expression of the residents’ world. Research limitations/implications – As a first hand account, this reportage challenges the assumption that constructive practice must all be based on someone else's prior, “evidence based”, practice. Originality/value – The refuge and network that arose from the work at Chiswick Women's aid was a pioneer in addressing domestic violence. This is a unique voice, and an opportunity to place this personal account in the record for future work on inter-generational emotional damage, addictive violence and social-environmental therapeutic treatments.

‘They know what you are going through’: a service response to young people who have experienced the impact of domestic abuse

Riverside Women's Aid offers a specialised youth service for young people who have experienced or been affected by domestic abuse in one town in Scotland. This article discusses findings from a research evaluation that examined the advantages of participating in this service. The experiences of young people and youth workers involved showed a commitment to youth work values and methods that contributed to support and helped reduce feelings of isolation. The findings suggested that one-to-one support and group work sessions brought benefits in establishing empathy and generating positive experiences. This helped the young people to better understand domestic abuse and to feel safe and confident about working through their feelings and making new friends. Analysis also suggested that young people valued the services provided by qualified and experienced Women's Aid youth workers, which they perceived as different from other youth work services. The arguments for this kind of specialist service were compelling, yet analysis highlighted a need for caution in order to avoid creating dependency. There were also calls for improved communication and understanding among partner agencies involved in work with young people.

Perpetrator programmes for partner violence: A clarification

Legal and Criminological PsychologyVolume 18, Issue 2 p. 382-382 Clarification statementFree Access Perpetrator programmes for partner violence: A clarification This article corrects the following: Perpetrator programmes for partner violence: A rejoinder to Respect John Archer, Louise Dixon, Nicola Graham-Kevan, Volume 17Issue 2Legal and Criminological Psychology pages: 225-232 First Published online: July 23, 2012 First published: 29 August 2013 https://doi.org/10.1111/lcrp.12026AboutSectionsPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditWechat Following publication of Archer, Dixon, and Graham-Kevan (2012), a representative from Respect raised with the editorial office some concerns about the portrayal of Respect's activities by Archer et al. Having considered the analysis and data presented by each party, the Editor of Legal and Criminological Psychology concluded that there was no misrepresentation of available information within Archer et al. and that the article remains fit for publication. However, it was agreed useful to publish the following statements to clarify today's practices at Respect. Respect does not, and has never, independently run a helpline for female victims. The helpline promoted on Respect's website is administrated by Women's Aid and Refuge. Respect responds to male and female perpetrators. For example, their recent analysis of calls to the Respect Helpline showed that a minority of callers were female perpetrators. Respect view an assessment of gender as vital to responding effectively to domestic violence, and one that should be understood to explain other factors of domestic violence. However, they do not view it as the only factor to be considered. Respect's website now contains details of multi-site research work, including the Mirabel project described in Debbonaire and Todd (2012). The journal welcomes the opportunity to have made these clarifications, whilst maintaining the integrity of the originally published works. It thanks the authors, Respect, and the Editor for their detailed comments and analysis. References Archer, J., Dixon, L., & Graham-Kevan, N. (2012). Perpetrator programmes for partner violence: A rejoinder to Respect. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 17, 225– 232. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8333.2012.02061.x Debbonaire, T., & Todd, J. (2012). Respect response to Dixon et al. (2012) ‘Perpetrator programmes for partner violence: Are they based on ideology or evidence?’. Legal and Criminological Psychology, 17, 216– 224. doi:10.1111/j.2044-8333.2012.02051.x Volume18, Issue2September 2013Pages 382-382 ReferencesRelatedInformation

P5-15-03: Development of a Patient Decision Aid for Women 70 Years and Older with Stage I, Hormonally Sensitive, Breast Cancer Considering Adjuvant Treatment Post-Lumpectomy.

Abstract Background: Decision Aids (DA) are developed with the intent to support people in making specific and deliberate choices by improving information transfer about different outcomes. Previous research has shown that DAs can increase patient knowledge regarding treatment options, reduce decisional conflict, and increase patient satisfaction with the decision-making process. However, no DAs have been developed to help older breast cancer patients decide whether or not to undergo adjuvant RT. We developed and tested a DA for older women with stage I,ER/PR positive breast cancer considering adjuvant treatment post-lumpectomy and we examined its impact on treatment decision-making process. Methods and Materials: A DA was developed and evaluated in three steps following the Ottawa Decision Aid Framework: 1) Needs assessment (N=16); 2) Pilot I, to examine the DA's acceptability (N=12); and 3) Pilot II, a pre-test post-test (N=38) with older women with ER/PR responsive breast cancer post-lumpectomy who were receiving adjuvant RT. Measures included questionnaires to assess patient's satisfaction with the DA, patients’ self-reported decisional conflict (DC), level of distress, treatment-related knowledge, and choice predisposition Results: The DA is a booklet that details each adjuvant treatment option's benefits, risks and side-effects tailored to their clinical profile; includes a value clarification exercise; and steps to guide them towards their own treatment decision. All women felt the DA was helpful and informative. Compared with baseline scores, patients had a statistically significant (p < .05) reduction in DC (adjusted mean difference [AMD], −7.18; 95% confidence interval [CI], −13.50 to 12.59); increased clarity of the treatment benefits and risks (AMD, −10.86, CI, −20.33 to 21.49; and improved general treatment knowledge (AMD, 8.99, CI, 2.88 to 10.28) after using the DA. General trends were also reported in patient's choice predisposition scores suggesting potential differences in treatment decision after DA use. Discussion: This study provides evidence that this DA may be a helpful educational tool for this group of women. The quality of care for older breast cancer patients may be enhanced by using a tailored DA to help the patient be informed of their treatment options and to prepare for decision-making. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-15-03.

Why Develop and Support Women's Organizations in Providing Legal Aid in China? Women's rights, women's organizations and legal aid in China

This article argues that women's organizations are central to legal aid for women in China. Chinese women would benefit if more women's legal aid organizations were developed and supported. There are currently too few such organizations, especially in rural areas. Their work challenges the public legal aid programme to develop a rights-based legal aid agenda to achieve greater gender equality through the protection of women's rights. They bring diverse women's perspectives which counter prevailing traditional patriarchal attitudes and male dominance in Chinese society. The emergence of autonomous women's organizations is also important because it helped to break the monopoly of the All China Women's Federation over women's perspectives, identities and interests in China. The article concludes that the competitive yet collaborative relationship between autonomous women's legal aid organizations and the All China Women's Federation is producing a definite and positive impact on gender equality through legal reform.

Practice report: A comparative study of battered women and violence‐prone women

In this practice report, the author describes the setting up of Chiswick Women's Aid, the first refuge1 for the care and treatment of battered women and their children. A key differentiation is made between ‘battered women’ and ‘violence‐prone women’ and the author summarises past objection and opposition to her work and theories.It is then contended that the issue of family violence must be seen in the personal and psychological realm, rather than in the political domain, and this is discussed in relation to a statistical survey of answers provided in questionnaires self‐completed by 100 female residents of Chiswick Women's Aid, London during 1975. This study shows evidence of a link between violence in childhood and the recreation of violent relationships in adult life and thus suggests that violence appears to be intergenerational.

Correspondence analysis: a method for classifying similar patterns of violence against women

Violence against women has received relatively little debate in society. It includes physical, psychological, and sexual abuse that jeopardizes the victim's health. Multivariate correspondence analysis and cluster analysis were applied to crimes reported to the Integrated Women's Aid Center in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to investigate associations between injury and define criteria for classifying the aggressions. Three groups of abuse were identified, differing according to the nature (physical, psychological, or sexual) and severity of the crimes. Less serious crimes consisted of threats and moderate physical injuries. The intermediate severity group included serious physical assault and threats. More serious crimes included death threats, rape, and sexual assault. The method thus allowed classification of the crimes in three groups according to severity.

Putting a Stop to Domestic Violence in the United Kingdom

In this article, the director of Women's Aid, the national domestic violence charity in England, reflects on the role of Women's Aid and activism in the development of responses to domestic abuse and in the Economic and Social Research Council Violence Research Program. The article also reflects on the relationship between researchers and domestic violence activist services.

Domestic Violence Survivors' Forums in the UK: Experiments in Involving Abused Women in Domestic Violence Services and Policy-making

This paper showcases the pioneering work of the first few key domestic violence survivors' forums in the UK with brief descriptive accounts of three innovators in the field: Croydon Domestic Violence Survivors' Forum, Voice for Change and the Phoenix Group. These groups form part of attempts to involve survivors of domestic violence in policy and service development. The women's activist movement against violence against women has led the way in putting domestic violence on the policy agenda and has always had polices of empowerment and of raising silenced voices. For example, Women's Aid and other women's services have operated policies of attempting to encourage the participation of women using their services, although this work has decreased somewhat in recent years. Now that responses to domestic violence are being mainstreamed in the UK, it is important to ask whether statutory agencies and inter-agency domestic violence forums are learning from the activist projects and attempting to achieve meaningful participation for service users and other abused women. This paper discusses whether the views of domestic violence survivors are both heard and heeded by professionals. It addresses the sensitivities and difficulties involved and the importance of informing services with survivor voices. While focussing principally on domestic violence survivors' forums, the paper makes a variety of suggestions for good and innovative practice.

Jewish Women's Aid: Combating Domestic Violence in the UK Community

SUMMARY This article is based on presentations given by the authors at The First International Conference on Domestic Abuse in the Jewish Community–Pursing Truth, Justice and Righteousness: A Call to Action, sponsored by Jewish Women International and Partners, held in July, 2003, in Baltimore, MD, USA. As the only representatives at the conference from the UK, the authors described wider arenas of Jewish life in the UK, and the statutory and voluntary services in which their agency developed. They reflect on some of the mistakes and triumphs encountered in the development of Jewish Women's Aid in the UK with the hope that this will be helpful for small faith communities in other places.