Help-Seeking and Barriers to Care in Intimate Partner Sexual Violence: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 152483802199830
Author(s):  
Elizabeth N. Wright ◽  
Jocelyn Anderson ◽  
Kathleen Phillips ◽  
Sheridan Miyamoto
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Barriers To Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Complex Nature

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) is a prevalent phenomenon, yet an under-researched topic. Due to the complex nature of balancing love and fear, individuals who experience IPSV have unique needs and face unique barriers to seeking care. The purpose of this systematic review was to examine the literature on help-seeking and barriers to care in IPSV. Articles were identified through PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Search terms included terms related to IPSV, intimate partner violence (IPV), domestic violence, sexual assault, and rape. The review was limited to the United States, and articles that were included needed to specifically measure or identify sexual violence in an intimate relationship and analyze or discuss IPSV in relation to help-seeking behaviors or barriers to care. Of the 17 articles included in this review, 13 were quantitative studies and four were qualitative studies. Various definitions and measurements of IPSV across studies included in this review make drawing broad conclusions challenging. Findings suggest that experiencing IPSV compared to experiencing nonsexual IPV (i.e., physical or psychological IPV) may increase help-seeking for medical, legal, and social services while decreasing help-seeking for informal support. Help-seeking can also reduce risk of future IPSV and decrease poor mental health outcomes. Barriers to seeking care in IPSV included social stigma, fear, and difficulty for individuals in identifying IPSV behaviors in their relationships as abuse. More inclusive research is needed among different populations including men, non-White individuals, nonheterosexual, and transgender individuals. Suggestions for research, practice, and policies are discussed.

DO MALE VICTIMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE (IPV) DESERVE HELP? SOME REFLECTIONS BASED ON A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (01n02) ◽  
pp. 51-63 ◽  
Author(s):  
WALLACE WAI-HUNG TSANG
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Real Problem ◽  
Male Victims ◽  
Service Barriers

Based on a systematic review of 32 articles on help-seeking by male victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), this study attempts to understand why men tend not to seek help in IPV. The review of the selected literature establishes that male victimization in IPV is a real problem. However, men tend not to seek help for a variety of reasons, most of which are attributable to either psychological factors or external service barriers. Based on the findings of this study, the implications of the failure to deliver social services to men suffering various forms of domestic violence are discussed.

Prevalence of Interpersonal Violence Among Latinas: A Systematic Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 977-990 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances R. Gonzalez ◽  
Lorraine T. Benuto ◽  
Jena B. Casas
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Interpersonal Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Prevalence Rates ◽  
Type Of Abuse

Violence against women continues to be a great concern in today’s society. In the United States, women experience high rates of interpersonal violence throughout their lifetime. Among Latinas, interpersonal violence is also highly prevalent however the wide variation of interpersonal prevalence rates among Latinas is problematic. The aims of this systematic review of the literature were to (1) document the prevalence rates of violence among Latinas, (2) determine the types of violence that Latinas are most impacted by, and (3) assess the prevalence rates of interpersonal across Latina subethnicities. The research was based on seven databases including PsycArticles, PsycCRITIQUES, PsycINFO, ScienceDirect, Social Services Abstracts, Social Work Abstracts, and PubMED for articles published from January 2007 up to July 2017. The following key words were used in the search: (Latinas OR Latinos OR Hispanics) AND (victim OR victimization) AND (domestic violence OR intimate partner violence OR Interpersonal Violence). We identified 41 articles in our search that reported rates of interpersonal violence which ranged from 1% to 83% with intimate partner violence and domestic violence being the most prevalent. Interpersonal violence was found to be more prevalent among individuals who identified as Mexican. Based on the findings, it is clear that efforts should be focused on conducting a lager national survey of interpersonal violence among Latinas. It would need to include subethnicity, immigration status, and type of abuse experienced and possibly add socioeconomic factors.

scholarly journals Physical, sexual and psychological intimate partner violence and non-partner sexual violence against women and girls: a systematic review protocol for producing global, regional and country estimates

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. e045574
Author(s):  
Heidi Stöckl ◽  
Lynnmarie Sardinha ◽  
Mathieu Maheu-Giroux ◽  
Sarah R Meyer ◽  
Claudia García-Moreno
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Violence Against Women ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Women And Girls ◽  
Forms Of Violence

IntroductionIn 2013, the WHO published the first global and regional estimates on physical and sexual intimate partner violence (IPV) and non-partner sexual violence (NPSV) based on a systematic review of population-based prevalence studies. In this protocol, we describe a new systematic review for the production of updated estimates for IPV and NPSV for global monitoring of violence against women, including providing the baseline for measuring Sustainable Development Goal to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.Methods and analysisThe systematic review will update and extend the previous search for population-based surveys (either nationally or subnationally representative) conducted among women aged 15+ years that measured the prevalence of physical, sexual, psychological and physical and/or sexual IPV, NPSV or sexual violence by any perpetrator up to December 2019. Data will be extracted separately for all age groups, setting (urban/rural), partnership status (currently partnered/ever partnered/all women) and recall period (lifetime prevalence/past 12 months). Studies will be identified from electronic searches of online databases of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Global Health and PsycInfo. A search of national statistics office homepages will be conducted for each country to identify reports on population-based, national or subnational studies that include data on IPV or NPSV published outside academic journals. Two reviewers will be involved in quality assessment and data extraction of the review. The review is planned to be updated on a continuous basis. All findings will undergo a country consultation process.Ethics and disseminationFormal ethical approval is not required, as primary data will not be collected. This systematic review will provide a basis and a follow-up tool for global monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goal Target 5.2 on the elimination of all forms of violence against women and girls.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017054100.

Transgender Intimate Partner Violence and Help-Seeking Patterns

2019 ◽  
pp. 088626051988017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victoria Kurdyla ◽  
Adam M. Messinger ◽  
Milka Ramirez
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Health Care Providers ◽  
Sexual Minority ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Convenience Sample

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against transgender individuals is highly prevalent and impactful, and thus research is needed to examine the extent to which survivors are able to reach needed assistance and safety. To our knowledge, no U.S.-based quantitative studies have explored transgender utilization patterns and perceptions regarding a broad range of help-giving resources (HGRs). The present article fills this gap in the literature by exploring help-seeking attitudes and behaviors of a convenience sample of 92 transgender adults and 325 cisgender sexual minority adults in the United States. Results from an online questionnaire indicate that, among the subsample experiencing IPV ( n = 187), help-seeking rates were significantly higher among transgender survivors (84.1%) than cisgender sexual minority survivors (67.1%). In addition, transgender survivors most commonly sought help from friends (76.7%), followed by mental health care providers (39.5%) and family (30.2%), whereas formal HGRs such as police, IPV telephone hotlines, and survivor shelters had low utilization rates. Among all transgender participants, IPV survivors were significantly less likely than nonsurvivors to perceive family, medical doctors, and survivor hotlines as helpful HGRs for other survivors in general. Finally, transgender survivors were significantly less likely than nonsurvivors to self-report a willingness to disclose any future IPV to family. Although replication with larger, probability samples is needed, these findings suggest that friends often represent the primary line of defense for transgender survivors seeking help, and thus bystander intervention trainings and education should be adapted to address not just cisgender but also transgender IPV. Furthermore, because most formal HGR types appear to be underutilized and perceived more negatively by transgender survivors, renewed efforts are needed to tailor services, service advertising, and provider trainings to the needs of transgender communities. Directions for future research are reviewed.

scholarly journals “It Went to the Very Heart of Who I Was as a Woman”: The Invisible Impacts of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 287-297
Author(s):  
Laura Tarzia
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis ◽  
Scar Tissue ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Poor Mental Health ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Psychological Violence ◽  
The Invisible

Intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV) sits within the intersection of intimate partner violence and sexual violence. It is prevalent, yet poorly understood. Research consistently shows that IPSV is associated with many mental and physical health issues although the mental health aspects are often the most damaging. Despite this, there is poor understanding of the mechanisms through which IPSV causes trauma and poor mental health. To address this gap, I used interpretative phenomenological analysis of n = 38 in-depth interviews with women in Australia to explore their lived experiences of IPSV. The essence of IPSV was described as “Being attacked from the inside out” and comprised four themes. The first, “Shaken foundations,” described devastating betrayal and loss of trust. The second, “A different kind of damage,” suggested that sexual violence impacts women differently from physical or psychological violence in a relationship. The third theme, “It kills something inside you,” addressed the dehumanizing aspects of IPSV. The final theme, “Lingering scar tissue,” focused on the long-term impacts of IPSV on women’s sexuality and relationships. The findings of this study highlight the “invisible impacts” of IPSV, which may be the pathways through which it causes trauma.

A Systematic Review of Intimate Partner Violence Interventions Impacting South Asian Women in the United States

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802095798
Author(s):  
Saumya Tripathi ◽  
Sameena Azhar
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Outcome Evaluation ◽  
Asian Women ◽  
South Asian Women

This systematic review is the first published attempt to synthesize literature pertaining to intimate partner violence (IPV) interventions impacting South Asian women in the United States. Applying the conceptual framework of intersectionality, the goals of this review are to (1) understand current trends, intervention modalities, and areas of focus within IPV interventions targeting South Asian communities in the United States and (2) to identify gaps in the address of IPV among these communities. Using the Cochrane Handbook and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, we searched 35 databases and identified 12 research studies. Our study included a collective sample of 318 South Asian IPV survivors and 25 organizations. Findings underscore that there are minimal IPV interventions available to South Asian women living in the United States. Most interventions have not been systematically evaluated, making their efficacy questionable. Those that reported outcome evaluation, namely recurrence of IPV, demonstrated limited efficacy. IPV research on South Asian women often dismisses financial concerns in light of cultural dimensions impacting IPV. Given that financial dependence is a major driver of violence against South Asian women, scholars must question the efficacy of available interventions that cannot foster the social and economic security of IPV survivors. Without sufficient attention to the intersecting social, cultural, and economic challenges that South Asian women face in abusive relationships, the efficacy of IPV interventions will remain limited.

scholarly journals Family and Social Support and the Brazilian Victim of Immigrant Partner Violence Abroad

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 216-231
Author(s):  
Mindy Reynolds
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Qualitative Interviews ◽  
The United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Awareness Campaigns

In recent months due to Covid-19 and lockdowns across the world, intimate partner violence has drawn increasing attention. In some countries, mandatory lockdowns and quarantines have been accompanied by rising rates of violence, sparking public awareness campaigns. However, intimate partner violence is a phenomenon which persists across time and cultures. This study focuses on the female Brazilian migrants who become victims of intimate partner violence and the role of social support networks, as previous research has indicated a need for research on specific communities. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 24 victims and professionals who work with these victims in Japan, the United States, Germany, and Portugal. The data provided examples of positive and negative social support from family and friends and suggested effective alternatives to informal social support and also how to give more effective assistance to family and friends who may be victims of intimate partner violence. The results show that Brazilian victims of intimate partner violence abroad often seek financial support from family members in Brazil; however, in the lack of such support, income from employment or government assistance may help a victim should she choose to leave an abusive relationship. In addition, the research suggests that professionals and friends can help victims by providing them with information about available social services and accompanying them to apply for these services.

A Systematic Review of Barriers to Formal Help Seeking for Adult Survivors of IPV in the United States, 2005–2019

2020 ◽  
pp. 152483802091625 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Robinson ◽  
Kristen Ravi ◽  
Rachel J. Voth Schrag
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Adult Survivors ◽  
The United States ◽  
System Failures ◽  
Continued Education ◽  
Formal Services ◽  
Seeking Help ◽  
Key Terms

For individuals experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV), formal services, including community agencies, health services, or the criminal justice system, are critical resources. Understanding the specific barriers that hinder or prevent survivors from seeking help from formal services could reveal important implications for the development of services for IPV as well as for members of other organizations who encounter survivors. The authors conducted a systematic review of the literature to identify barriers to help-seeking from formal services for survivors. Ten electronic databases were searched for key terms related to IPV, help seeking from formal services, and barriers to help seeking. Articles were included in the review if they were U.S.-based, contained samples that were adults who had experienced IPV, and discussed barriers to seeking help from formal services. An initial search yielded 1,155 articles and after screening, 29 articles were included in the review. Data were extracted to reveal the state of the literature regarding help-seeking barriers for survivors. Six barriers to help seeking were identified as follows: (1) lack of awareness, (2) access challenges, (3) consequences of disclosure, (4) lack of material resources, (5) personal barriers, and (6) system failures. These findings demonstrate the need for continued education surrounding available services for IPV as well as the continued development of resources that can mitigate personal barriers that survivors may face. Furthermore, these findings illuminate the necessity to increase the access of services, particularly for non-English speakers, immigrants and refugees, individuals with disabilities, men, and LGBTQIA identified individuals.

Gender Differences in the Relationship Between the Nature of Intimate Partner Violence and the Survivor’s Help-Seeking

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (6-7) ◽  
pp. 712-729
Author(s):  
Hyunkag Cho ◽  
Jisuk Seon ◽  
Jae-Bum Han ◽  
Daria Shamrova ◽  
Ilan Kwon
Keyword(s):  
Gender Differences ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Dependent Variables ◽  
The Relationship

This study used the National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey to examine how gender interacts with the nature of intimate partner violence (IPV) in the survivor’s help-seeking. A total of 3,878 IPV survivors (869 male and 3,009 female) were included in the study sample. Dependent variables were help-seeking and the use of formal and informal sources. Independent variables included gender, race, income, and the patterns of victimization and consequences of victimization. The results showed that survivors’ characteristics and the patterns of victimization and consequences affect help-seeking, and that gender moderates the relationship between consequences and the use of formal help.

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