scholarly journals The Hidden Pandemic of Family Violence During COVID-19: Unsupervised Learning of Tweets

10.2196/24361 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. e24361
Author(s):  
Jia Xue ◽  
Junxiang Chen ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Ran Hu ◽  
Tingshao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Large Scale Analysis

Background Family violence (including intimate partner violence/domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse) is a hidden pandemic happening alongside COVID-19. The rates of family violence are rising fast, and women and children are disproportionately affected and vulnerable during this time. Objective This study aims to provide a large-scale analysis of public discourse on family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter. Methods We analyzed over 1 million tweets related to family violence and COVID-19 from April 12 to July 16, 2020. We used the machine learning approach Latent Dirichlet Allocation and identified salient themes, topics, and representative tweets. Results We extracted 9 themes from 1,015,874 tweets on family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) increased vulnerability: COVID-19 and family violence (eg, rising rates, increases in hotline calls, homicide); (2) types of family violence (eg, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse); (3) forms of family violence (eg, physical aggression, coercive control); (4) risk factors linked to family violence (eg, alcohol abuse, financial constraints, guns, quarantine); (5) victims of family violence (eg, the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning] community, women, women of color, children); (6) social services for family violence (eg, hotlines, social workers, confidential services, shelters, funding); (7) law enforcement response (eg, 911 calls, police arrest, protective orders, abuse reports); (8) social movements and awareness (eg, support victims, raise awareness); and (9) domestic violence–related news (eg, Tara Reade, Melissa DeRosa). Conclusions This study overcomes limitations in the existing scholarship where data on the consequences of COVID-19 on family violence are lacking. We contribute to understanding family violence during the pandemic by providing surveillance via tweets. This is essential for identifying potentially useful policy programs that can offer targeted support for victims and survivors as we prepare for future outbreaks.

scholarly journals The Hidden Pandemic of Family Violence During COVID-19: Unsupervised Learning of Tweets (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Xue ◽  
Junxiang Chen ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Ran Hu ◽  
Tingshao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Large Scale Analysis

BACKGROUND Family violence (including intimate partner violence/domestic violence, child abuse, and elder abuse) is a hidden pandemic happening alongside COVID-19. The rates of family violence are rising fast, and women and children are disproportionately affected and vulnerable during this time. OBJECTIVE This study aims to provide a large-scale analysis of public discourse on family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter. METHODS We analyzed over 1 million tweets related to family violence and COVID-19 from April 12 to July 16, 2020. We used the machine learning approach Latent Dirichlet Allocation and identified salient themes, topics, and representative tweets. RESULTS We extracted 9 themes from 1,015,874 tweets on family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) increased vulnerability: COVID-19 and family violence (eg, rising rates, increases in hotline calls, homicide); (2) types of family violence (eg, child abuse, domestic violence, sexual abuse); (3) forms of family violence (eg, physical aggression, coercive control); (4) risk factors linked to family violence (eg, alcohol abuse, financial constraints, guns, quarantine); (5) victims of family violence (eg, the LGBTQ [lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning] community, women, women of color, children); (6) social services for family violence (eg, hotlines, social workers, confidential services, shelters, funding); (7) law enforcement response (eg, 911 calls, police arrest, protective orders, abuse reports); (8) social movements and awareness (eg, support victims, raise awareness); and (9) domestic violence–related news (eg, Tara Reade, Melissa DeRosa). CONCLUSIONS This study overcomes limitations in the existing scholarship where data on the consequences of COVID-19 on family violence are lacking. We contribute to understanding family violence during the pandemic by providing surveillance via tweets. This is essential for identifying potentially useful policy programs that can offer targeted support for victims and survivors as we prepare for future outbreaks.

scholarly journals Abusers indoors and coronavirus outside: an examination of public discourse about COVID-19 and family violence on Twitter using machine learning

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jia Xue ◽  
Junxiang Chen ◽  
Chen Chen ◽  
Ran Hu ◽  
Tingshao Zhu
Keyword(s):  
Machine Learning ◽  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Public Discourse ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Latent Dirichlet Allocation ◽  
Large Scale Analysis ◽  
Protective Orders ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: This brief report aims to provide the first large-scale analysis of public discourse regarding family violence and the COVID-19 pandemic on Twitter. Method: We analyzed 301,606 Tweets related to family violence and COVID-19 from April 12 to July 16, 2020, for this study. We used the machine learning approach, Latent Dirichlet Allocation, and identified salient themes, topics, and representative Twitter examples. Results: We extracted nine themes on family violence and COVID-19 pandemic, including (1) the Impact of COVID-19 on family violence (e.g., rising rates, hotline calls increased, murder & homicide); (2) the types (e.g., child abuse, domestic violence, sexual violence) and (3) forms of family violence (e.g., physical aggression, coercive control); (4) risk factors of family violence (e.g., alcohol abuse, financial constraints, gun, quarantine); (5) victims of family violence (e.g., LGBTQ, women, and women of color, children); (6) social services of family violence (e.g., hotlines, social workers, confidential services, shelters, funding); (7) law enforcement response (e.g., 911 calls, police arrest, protective orders, abuse reports); (8) Social movement/ awareness (e.g., support victims, raise awareness); and (9) domestic violence-related news (e.g., Tara Reade, Melissa Derosa). Conclusions: The COVID-19 has an impact on family violence. This report overcomes the limitation of existing scholarship that lacks data for consequences of COVID-19 on family violence. We contribute to the understanding of family violence during the pandemic by providing surveillance in Tweets, which is essential to identify potentially effective policy programs in offering targeted support for victims and survivors and preparing for the next wave.

scholarly journals Sibling Violence

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 138-156
Author(s):  
Nathan H. Perkins ◽  
Susan F. Grossman
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Interprofessional Collaboration ◽  
Older Americans ◽  
Federal Policies ◽  
Sibling Violence ◽  
Integral Role ◽  
The Creation

Social work has played an integral role in the conceptualization and implementation of policy aimed at prevention and intervention of various forms of family violence. Seminal federal policies to address child abuse and neglect (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act), elder abuse (Elder Justice and Older Americans Acts), and intimate partner violence (Violence Against Women and Family Violence Prevention and Services Acts) all focus on specific types of violence in the family. To date, however, there are no federal policies specifically addressing physical and/or emotional sibling violence (Perkins, Coles, & O’Connor, 2017; Perkins & O’Connor, 2016). This article examines the exclusion of policy addressing physical and emotional sibling violence considering other family violence policies. Along with prevalence, consequences, and associative factors connected to sibling violence, definitional issues that impede the creation of policy to address this form of family violence are highlighted. Children as a marginalized population, deserving the attention of social workers through policy advocacy will be discussed as well as psychoeducation and interprofessional collaboration that may facilitate the creation of policies aimed at addressing this form of family violence.

Family Violence in Context: An Intergenerational Systemic Model

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (3) ◽  
pp. 260-291
Author(s):  
Stephen Southern ◽  
Raymond D. Sullivan
Keyword(s):  
Family Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Major Public Health Problem ◽  
Childhood Experiences ◽  
Intergenerational Transmission Of Violence ◽  
Systems Model ◽  
Post Traumatic Growth ◽  
Systemic Model

Family violence represents a major public health problem and a violation of human rights. Violent families engage in child maltreatment or intimate partner violence in response to horizontal stressors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, and vertical stressors, including events in the family life cycle and changes in cultural contexts. Although family violence is often considered an individual problem, solutions require close examination of family structure, dynamics, and competence. The Beavers Systems Model for Family Functioning identified family groupings at risk of family violence. An emerging perspective on intergenerational transmission of violence from childhood neglect and abuse to elder abuse accounts for the accumulation of adverse childhood experiences and increasing risk of victimization or perpetration. An intergenerational systemic model identifies multiple contexts and levels for evaluating and treating family violence over the life span. Early identification and intervention facilitate prevention and rehabilitation. As families transcend adversity, they are able to realize post-traumatic growth and resilience. Recommendations for applications of the model are offered.

Confidentiality and Testimonial Privilege

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Scott Johnson ◽  
Ronald Schouten
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Elder Abuse ◽  
Civil Commitment ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Third Parties ◽  
Mandated Reporting ◽  
Testimonial Privilege ◽  
Medicolegal Issues

This chapter describes the complex medicolegal issues surrounding the rules of confidentiality and privilege and their multiple exceptions. It lays out the underpinnings of confidentiality, then addresses its various exceptions, such as waiver, duty to protect third parties, civil commitment, and mandated reporting of child abuse, elder abuse, and intimate-partner violence. Psychotherapist–patient privilege is discussed, first with regard to its origins and then with regard to its exceptions, including various forms of waiver. Practical examples illustrate these concepts for the reader to make it easier to understand these ubiquitous, but at times perplexing, concepts and to illustrate the nuances of various aspects of the law. Practitioners should note that there is considerable overlap between confidentiality and testimonial privilege, and the division of this chapter into two sections creates, in some ways, an artificial divide between two closely related concepts.

Alcohol-Involved Family and Domestic Violence Reported to Police in Australia

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052092863
Author(s):  
Richelle Mayshak ◽  
Ashlee Curtis ◽  
Kerri Coomber ◽  
Lorraine Tonner ◽  
Arlene Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Personal Factors ◽  
Incidence Data ◽  
Alcohol Involvement ◽  
Life Threatening

Family and domestic violence (FDV) is a significant social issue that causes major harm across Australia. Alcohol has been identified as a contributing factor to FDV, and as such increased understanding of the role of alcohol in police-reported FDV incidents may provide the basis for developing specific clinical and forensic approaches. This study aims to identify the key correlates of alcohol-related FDV within police-reported FDV incidence. Data sourced from several states and territories across Australia were used to profile demographic and personal factors involved in police-reported FDV incidents, and to identify the types of incidents involving alcohol. For each state, three separate binary regressions were conducted for family violence, intimate partner violence, and FDV incidents in which alcohol was involved. Between 24% and 54% of FDV incidents reported to police were classified as alcohol-related. Although there appeared to be an association between relative socioeconomic disadvantage and an incident being alcohol-related, this association varied across states. Where victim and offender data were available, offenders were significantly more likely to be alcohol-affected than victims. Alcohol-related FDV incidents were also twice as likely to involve severe physical violence including injuries that were life threatening, as well as an increased likelihood of recidivism. This study demonstrates that alcohol plays a substantial role in police-reported FDV across Australia. It also demonstrates that other factors such as drug use, breach of orders, and repeat offending are associated with alcohol involvement across family violence and intimate partner violence.

Exposure to Family Violence, Peer Attachment, and Adolescent-to-parent Violence

2020 ◽  
pp. 088626052096010
Author(s):  
Boyoung Nam ◽  
Jae Yop Kim ◽  
Charlotte Lyn Bright ◽  
Daeyeon Jang
Keyword(s):  
Child Abuse ◽  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Nationwide Survey ◽  
Moderating Effect ◽  
Peer Attachment ◽  
Child Exposure ◽  
Children And Adolescent

Although parent violence has been extensively investigated in the literature, few studies have examined its link to adult-initiated family violence. This study investigated the relationship between adult-initiated family violence (i.e., child exposure to intimate partner violence [CEIPV] and child abuse) and adolescent-to-parent violence (APV), with a particular focus on the moderating effect of peer attachment on this relationship. A sample of 709 adolescents from the Children and Adolescent Survey (a subset of the 2010 Nationwide Survey of Domestic Violence in South Korea) was used. The survey included measures of child abuse, CEIPV, APV, peer attachment, and demographic characteristics. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between two types of adults-initiated family violence and APV. The interaction terms of peer attachment were included in the regression analysis to test its moderating effect. The results indicate that child abuse victimization is significantly associated with APV, but peer attachment significantly buffers the negative effect of child abuse on APV. CEIPV was not significantly associated with APV. The findings of the current study highlight the importance of breaking cycles of violence and improving children’s relationships with their peers in preventing parent violence. Counselors and social workers should explore APV perpetrators’ child abuse history when conducting interventions. School counseling programs can help reduce adolescents’ violent behaviors towards their parents by promoting positive peer relationships and peer bonding.

The significance of technology as both a resource in enhancing safety, and a means of perpetrating violence: the implications for policy and practice

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sandra Gendera ◽  
kylie valentine ◽  
Jan Breckenridge
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Capacity Building ◽  
Family Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Evidence Base ◽  
Personal Safety ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Pilot Programme ◽  
Use Of Technology

There is evidence that technological devices such as personal safety alarms and security cameras can be effective in contributing to an increased sense of safety for victims of domestic and family violence, when they are provided as part of a broader programme of support. This article reports on findings from a mixed methods evaluation of a programme trialled in Queensland, Australia. The programme was funded by the Commonwealth Department of Social Services as part of the Keeping Women Safe in Their Home initiative. The trial was comprised of two components: the provision of personal safety alarms and security cameras to victims, and the resourcing of service providers to identify and respond to technology-facilitated abuse experienced by their clients. The findings from the evaluation of the trial contribute to an emerging evidence base on technology as a means to support and increase the safety of victims of violence. The findings also contribute to evidence on the capacity of the sector to respond to the use of technology to harass, monitor and stalk victims.There are benefits to clients and service providers from the innovative use of technology as part of a holistic and flexible domestic and family violence service response to meet the needs of victims, including those who wish to remain in their home. However, service providers in the trial felt less confident in supporting victims of technology-facilitated abuse. The limited uptake of strategies provided to assess and monitor technology-facilitated abuse indicates that support workers in the domestic violence sector would benefit from capacity building in this area. Better data and more research are needed to understand how technology is used to facilitate abuse and how services can implement effective responses to technology-facilitated abuse.<br />Key messages<br /><ul><li>The article reports on an evaluation of a pilot programme designed to support the use technology as a safety measure, and to respond to technology-facilitated abuse.</li><br /><li>There are benefits to clients and service providers from the inclusion of innovative uses of technology as part of a holistic, flexible service response to the needs of victims, including those who wish to remain in their home.</li><br /><li>The limited uptake of strategies to address technology-facilitated abuse in this pilot programme indicates that support workers and the domestic violence sector would benefit from capacity building in this area.</li></ul>

Experience of Domestic Violence During Childhood, Intimate Partner Violence, and the Deterrent Effect of Awareness of Legal Consequences

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 357-372 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahyoung Song ◽  
Suzanne L. Wenzel ◽  
Jae Yop Kim ◽  
Boyoung Nam
Keyword(s):  
Domestic Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Child Abuse ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Legal Regulation ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Skewed Distribution ◽  
Deterrent Effect ◽  
Zip Model ◽  
The Law

The concept of intergenerational transmission of intimate partner violence (IPV) has been an important topic of research. Experts have contended that this brutal path in which violence is transmitted to subsequent generations may be avoidable. This study examined whether public perceptions of the legal regulation of IPV and the certainty of sanction deter the prevalence of IPV. Data from 3,800 households were obtained from a nationwide survey conducted in South Korea. Due to a skewed distribution of the prevalence of IPV, this study applied a zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) model, which has been shown to address issues of skewed count variables. In addition, use of a ZIP model allowed us to examine factors associated with the occurrence and frequency of IPV. Results showed that child abuse experience and perceptions of the law were associated with the occurrence of IPV. Individuals who experienced child abuse were more likely to perpetrate IPV, whereas those aware of the law were less likely to perpetrate IPV. Witnessing IPV between parents was associated with an increased frequency of IPV. Results suggest that by increasing awareness of laws against domestic violence, IPV may be reduced or prevented.

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