Patterns of Gender-Based Violence in Conflict-Affected Ukraine: A Descriptive Analysis of Internally Displaced and Local Women Receiving Psychosocial Services

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110630
Author(s):  
Ariadna Capasso ◽  
Halyna Skipalska ◽  
Urmi Chakrabarti ◽  
Sally Guttmacher ◽  
Peter Navario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Contact Line ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Mental Healthcare ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
Gender Based

Since 2014, a protracted armed conflict has afflicted eastern Ukraine, resulting in the displacement of over 1.4 million residents. The resulting humanitarian crisis has placed women, particularly displaced women, at greater risk of gender-based violence (GBV). In Ukraine, reports of GBV were higher following the start of the conflict (22.4% in 2014 vs. 18.3% in 2007), with displaced women suffering from GBV nearly three times more than non-displaced residents (15.2% vs. 5.3%). Many GBV incidents in Ukraine have been reported along the “contact line,” the border separating government from non-government-controlled areas. This study compares types of GBV experienced by displaced and local (non-displaced) women receiving psychosocial support in order to identify the gaps in services during a time of conflict. Data was collected by mental healthcare providers from 11,826 women (25.5% displaced; 74.5% local) aged 15 to 69 receiving psychosocial services in five conflict-affected regions from February 2016 to June 2017. Group differences were assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared or Fisher’s exact tests for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum tests for continuous variables. Overall, almost half of the women experienced intimate partner violence and psychological abuse. Compared to residents, displaced women were more likely to report non-domestic GBV incidents involving sexual and economic violence. Almost 8% of violent incidents against displaced women occurred at checkpoints or at reception centers for internally displaced persons (IDP) and 20% were perpetrated by armed men. Consistent with the literature, this study suggests that displaced women are more vulnerable to attacks by persons outside the home and by armed groups. Our findings underscore the need to expand violence prevention programs to address the unique vulnerabilities of displaced women before, during, and after displacement. Programs should be tailored to prevent violence within and outside the home. Increased prevention efforts are needed in areas with high concentrations of armed men, along the contact line, and at IDP reception centers to protect displaced women. This is particularly urgent in the context of increased GBV due to COVID-19.

scholarly journals Lifetime prevalence, correlates and health consequences of gender-based violence victimisation and perpetration among men and women in Somalia

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. e000773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea L Wirtz ◽  
Nancy A Perrin ◽  
Amelie Desgroppes ◽  
Verena Phipps ◽  
Ali A Abdi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Parental Violence ◽  
Humanitarian Emergencies ◽  
Sexual Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Gender Based

BackgroundHumanitarian emergencies increase the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). We estimated the prevalence of GBV victimisation and perpetration among women and men in urban settings across Somalia, which has faced decades of war and natural disasters that have resulted in massive population displacements.MethodsA population-based survey was conducted in 14 urban areas across Somalia between December 2014 and November 2015.ResultsA total of 2376 women and 2257 men participated in the survey. One in five men (22.2%, 95% CI 20.5 to 23.9) and one in seven (15.5%; 95% CI 14.1 to 17.0) women reported physical or sexual violence victimisation during childhood. Among women, 35.6% (95% CI 33.4 to 37.9) reported adult lifetime experiences of physical or sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and 16.5% (95% CI 15.1 to 18.1) reported adult lifetime experience of physical or sexual non-partner violence (NPV). Almost one-third of men (31.2%; 95% CI 29.4 to 33.1) reported victimisation as an adult, the majority of which was physical violence. Twenty-two per cent (21.7%; 95% CI 19.5 to 24.1) of men reported lifetime sexual or physical IPV perpetration and 8.1% (95% CI 7.1 to 9.3) reported lifetime sexual or physical NPV perpetration. Minority clan membership, displacement, exposure to parental violence and violence during childhood were common correlates of IPV and NPV victimisation and perpetration among women and men. Victimisation and perpetration were also strongly associated with recent depression and experiences of miscarriage or stillbirth.ConclusionGBV is prevalent and spans all regions of Somalia. Programmes that support nurturing environments for children and provide health and psychosocial support for women and men are critical to prevent and respond to GBV.

Increased Gender-based Violence Among Women Internally Displaced in Mississippi 2 Years Post–Hurricane Katrina

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-26 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Anastario ◽  
Nadine Shehab ◽  
Lynn Lawry
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Gender Based

ABSTRACTObjectives: Although different types of gender-based violence (GBV) have been documented in disaster-affected populations, no studies have documented a quantitative increase in rates of GBV among populations living in protracted displacement after a disaster. We aimed to assess the change in rates of GBV after Hurricane Katrina among internally displaced people (IDPs) living in travel trailer parks in Mississippi.Methods: The study design included successive cross-sectional randomized surveys, conducted in 2006 and 2007, among IDPs in Mississippi using a structured questionnaire. We sampled 50 travel trailer parks in 9 counties in Mississippi in 2006, and 69 parks in 20 counties in 2007. A total of 420 female respondents comprised the final sample. We measured respondent demographics, forms of GBV including sexual and physical violence further subtyped by perpetrator, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9–assessed depression.Results: Respondents had a mean age of 42.7 years. The crude rate of new cases of GBV among women increased from 4.6/100,000 per day to 16.3/100,000 per day in 2006, and remained elevated at 10.1/100,000 per day in 2007. The increase was primarily driven by the increase in intimate partner violence. GBV experience was significantly associated with increased risk for poor mental health outcomes.Conclusions: Overall, the rate of GBV, particularly intimate partner violence, increased within the year following Hurricane Katrina and did not return to baseline during the protracted phase of displacement. Disaster planning efforts should incorporate plans to decrease the incidence of GBV following a disaster, and to ensure adequate services to people with postdisaster GBV experience. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2009;3:18–26)

scholarly journals Addressing the Psychosocial Needs of Pregnant Women Affected by War: Program Approaches and Program Gaps

Refuge ◽  
2008 ◽  
pp. 55-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bree Akesson
Keyword(s):  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Safe Motherhood ◽  
Psychosocial Needs ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Psychosocial Services ◽  
Increasing Risk ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Internally Displaced Population ◽  
Social Support Systems

Today’s female refugee and internally displaced population faces the increasing risk of adverse birth outcomes associated with stress related to conflict, flight, and displacement. Programs addressing the specific psychosocial needs of pregnant women in situations of war are scarce, and there is little consensus regarding best practices. Initiatives have recently emerged, including psychosocial groups, safe motherhood training, and social support systems, all which aim to alleviate the psychosocial stress experienced by this cohort. However, there remain existing program gaps, such as the absence of specific quality research, the use of a deficits-based vernacular concentrated on vulnerabilities, no focus on postpartum care, and little development of gender-based violence prevention initiatives addressing pregnancies resulting from rape. It is clear that more needs to be done to provide and support comprehensive quality psychosocial services for this population.

Intimate Partner Violence and Its Under-Reporting in Pakistan

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 254
Author(s):  
Abdul Hadi
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Relationship ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Power Relationship ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Patriarchal System ◽  
Attempted Murder ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Private Matter

Intimate Partner violence is not a culturally limited practice, but prevails in every country, irrespective of culture, class, and ethnicity. Violence is one of the mechanisms used by men to control and subjugate women; and is a manifestation of unequal power relationship sustained by patriarchy. Patriarchy makes violence necessary for the sake of its existence. Intimate partner violence, the most common forms of gender-based violence entails the exertion of power over a partner in an intimate relationship through a behavior that is intimidating, threatening, harassing or harmful. The spouse can be harmed physically, as well sexually, emotionally, and psychologically, the violence can occur multiple times. Intimate partner violence in Pakistan persists almost in every family because women have subjugated and vulnerable status and are generally treated as second class citizens. Generally, the occurrence of violence at home is effectively condoned and regarded it as ‘private matter’ which does not require any intervention. it is seldom recognized as a crime socially unless it takes an extreme form of murder or attempted murder which could range from driving a woman to suicide or engineering an accident (frequently the bursting of a kitchen stove). This study aims to find out the factors which precipitate Intimate partner violence in Pakistan and what are the factors which preclude the reporting of Intimate partner violence and seeking legal redress. This study has found that strict cultural and patriarchal system and values precipitate intimate partner violence and also preclude victims to report the incidences by not giving them appropriate moral, cultural and legal support.

scholarly journals Sexual health (excluding reproductive health, intimate partner violence and gender-based violence) and COVID-19: a scoping review

2021 ◽  
pp. sextrans-2020-054896
Author(s):  
Navin Kumar ◽  
Kamila Janmohamed ◽  
Kate Nyhan ◽  
Laura Forastiere ◽  
Wei-Hong Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Health Disparities ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Health ◽  
Scoping Review ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
And Gender

ObjectivesThe COVID-19 pandemic has exposed and exacerbated existing socioeconomic and health disparities, including disparities in sexual health and well-being. While there have been several reviews published on COVID-19 and population health disparities generally—including some with attention to HIV—none has focused on sexual health (ie, STI care, female sexual health, sexual behaviour). We have conducted a scoping review focused on sexual health (excluding reproductive health (RH), intimate partner violence (IPV) and gender-based violence (GBV)) in the COVID-19 era, examining sexual behaviours and sexual health outcomes.MethodsA scoping review, compiling both peer-reviewed and grey literature, focused on sexual health (excluding RH, IPV and GBV) and COVID-19 was conducted on 15 September 2020. Multiple bibliographical databases were searched. Study selection conformed to Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Reviewers’ Manual 2015 Methodology for JBI Scoping Reviews. We only included English-language original studies.ResultsWe found that men who have sex with men may be moving back toward pre-pandemic levels of sexual activity, and that STI and HIV testing rates seem to have decreased. There was minimal focus on outcomes such as the economic impact on sexual health (excluding RH, IPV and GBV) and STI care, especially STI care of marginalised populations. In terms of population groups, there was limited focus on sex workers or on women, especially women’s sexual behaviour and mental health. We noticed limited use of qualitative techniques. Very few studies were in low/middle-income countries (LMICs).ConclusionsSexual health research is critical during a global infectious disease pandemic and our review of studies suggested notable research gaps. Researchers can focus efforts on LMICs and under-researched topics within sexual health and explore the use of qualitative techniques and interventions where appropriate.

scholarly journals The pitfalls of modelling the effects of COVID-19 on gender-based violence: lessons learnt and ways forward

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. e005739
Author(s):  
Michelle Lokot ◽  
Amiya Bhatia ◽  
Shirin Heidari ◽  
Amber Peterman
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Global Estimates ◽  
Pandemic Response ◽  
Service Disruption ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Modelling Effort ◽  
Global Stakeholders ◽  
Modelling Data ◽  
Highly Cited

Since early 2020, global stakeholders have highlighted the significant gendered consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including increases in the risk of gender-based violence (GBV). Researchers have sought to inform the pandemic response through a diverse set of methodologies, including early efforts modelling anticipated increases in GBV. For example, in April 2020, a highly cited modelling effort by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and partners projected headline global figures of 31 million additional cases of intimate partner violence due to 6 months of lockdown, and an additional 13 million child marriages by 2030. In this paper, we discuss the rationale for using modelling to make projections about GBV, and use the projections released by UNFPA to draw attention to the assumptions and biases underlying model-based projections. We raise five key critiques: (1) reducing complex issues to simplified, linear cause-effect relationships, (2) reliance on a small number of studies to generate global estimates, (3) assuming that the pandemic results in the complete service disruption for existing interventions, (4) lack of clarity in indicators used and sources of estimates, and (5) failure to account for margins of uncertainty. We argue that there is a need to consider the motivations and consequences of using modelling data as a planning tool for complex issues like GBV, and conclude by suggesting key considerations for policymakers and practitioners in using and commissioning such projections.

scholarly journals Feasibility and acceptability of a universal screening and referral protocol for gender-based violence with women seeking care in health clinics in Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Vu ◽  
A. L. Wirtz ◽  
S. Bundgaard ◽  
A. Nair ◽  
G. Luttah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Universal Screening ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Global Public Health ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Internally Displaced ◽  
Health Clinics ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Screening Protocol ◽  
Gender Based

Background.Gender-based violence (GBV) is both a global public health problem and violation of human rights. Refugees and internally displaced persons experience an increased risk of GBV and health outcomes associated with GBV are often exacerbated in conflict settings.Methods.A mixed methods study to examine the feasibility and acceptability of universal screening for GBV in a refugee population in the Dadaab refugee camp of Kenya, using the ASIST-GBV from January to July 2015.Results.Of 9366 women offered screening at International Rescue Committee health clinics, about 89% (n = 8369) female refugees consented to participate. Only 15% of the potentially eligible population could participate in GBV screening because of the ongoing struggle to identify private space in the clinics. Over 85% of women reported being ‘willing’ or ‘very willing’ to participate in GBV screening; 96% felt they had a good or very good experience with the screening protocol. Qualitative findings stressed the importance of securing a room/space in the busy clinic is critical to universal screening with referral to safe and confidential services for survivors.Conclusions.The findings suggest that the evidence-based ASIST-GBV is both feasible to implement and acceptable to both providers and women seeking care. Universal GBV screening and referral is an effective way for health care and service providers in humanitarian settings to assist survivors of GBV.

Gender-Based Violence Among HIV-Positive Women in Kazakhstan: Prevalence, Types, and Associated Risk and Protective Factors

2017 ◽  
Vol 24 (13) ◽  
pp. 1570-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tina Jiwatram-Negrón ◽  
Nabila El-Bassel ◽  
Sholpan Primbetova ◽  
Assel Terlikbayeva
Keyword(s):  
Protective Factors ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Risk And Protective Factors ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Hiv Positive Women ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Partner Gender

This article examines the prevalence and associated multilevel risk and protective factors of intimate and nonintimate partner violence among a sample of 249 HIV-positive women in Kazakhstan. We found high prevalence of both lifetime intimate partner violence (52%) and nonintimate partner violence (30%). Together, nearly 60% experienced at least one incident of violence by either an intimate or nonintimate partner (gender-based violence [GBV]). In the multivariate analyses, we found associations between several individual, interpersonal, and socio-structural risk factors and GBV. Findings provide direction for practice, policy, and future research to address the intersection of GBV and HIV in Kazakhstan.

scholarly journals Association between Intimate Partner Violence with Quality of Life

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
NV Roopesh Gopal ◽  
SV Sathish Kumar ◽  
Kiran S Bhat
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
World Health ◽  
Categorical Variables ◽  
Early Interventions ◽  
Continuous Variables ◽  
Cross Sectional

Introduction: An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional intimacy. Those who are in such a relationship may experience violence from partners which may affect their day-to-day quality of life and thus cause a burden on the family. Aim: To assess the relationship between Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) with Quality of life and to provide early interventions. Materials and Methods: Hospital-based, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Psychiatry, Kodagu Institute of Medical Sciences (KoIMS) teaching hospital Madikeri, Karnataka. The subjects were recruited by purposive sampling method. A total of 5810 consecutive subjects who visited the psychiatry OPD from March 2017 to June 2019 were assessed and among them, 82 subjects both men and women in the age group of 18 to 60 years were recruited. All of them reported IPV on the Hurt, Insulted, Threatened, and Screamed (HITS) scale and were further assessed for Quality of life using the World Health Organisation Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) scale. Descriptive statistics were used for continuous variables. A Nonparametric Chi-square test was applied for categorical variables and Mann-Whitney U scores were used for quality of life variables. The correlation was done using Pearson’s correlation. Results: Mean age was 36.04 in years (SD±11.28) having a mean of 7.5 years of schooling (SD±4.5). The majority belonged to the rural background and lower socioeconomic status. Out of 82 subjects, 21 subjects reported IPV score less than 10 (25.60%) and among the rest of the 61 (74.39%) subjects, 80.32% were females and 19.67% were males who had IPV scores of more than 10. The study subjects reported poor and very poor scores in their overall quality of life and very dissatisfied and dissatisfied in their health domain. IPV also correlated with reduced quality of life, which was statistically significant. Conclusion: People that experience IPV has an overall reduced quality of life. Routine clinical assessment needs to be done to provide early interventions.

“The Perfect Storm”: The Rise of Gender-Based Violence in the Age of COVID-19

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janvi Huria ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Gender Based Violence ◽  
Women Experiences ◽  
Crimes Against Women ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Partner Violence Against Women ◽  
Perfect Storm

One in three women experiences sexual or physical violence at some point in their life (“A Staggering One-in-Three Women”, 2019). In the last 12 months alone, 243 million girls between the ages of 15 and 49 were subjected to sexual or physical violence by an intimate partner (“Violence against Women”, n.d.). During the COVID-19 pandemic, sudden shifts in routine have made this situation a “ticking time bomb” for the exponential growth in rates of crimes against women (Campbell, 2020).

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