Violence and sexual violence between partners: A qualitative analysis of female victims’ experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-142
Author(s):  
Amandine Dziewa ◽  
Fabienne Glowacz
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Political Agenda ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Unwanted Sex ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Abusive Relationship ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Subject: In the 1970s, domestic violence was put on the political agenda as a societal problem. Since then, research exploring the dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has multiplied, but the study of sexual violence between partners is still topical. This article examines female victims’ experiences of intimate partner sexual violence (IPSV). Method: This qualitative study uses a thematic approach to explore how IPV victims perceive sexual violence within their couple. Semi-structured interviews, which include the use of qualitative life calendars, were conducted with 20 women. Results: The thematic analysis of the 20 interviews highlighted several themes and sub-themes that address (1) sexual violence experienced by victims within the couple, (2) their perception of sexual violence, and (3) the reasons why they submitted to unwanted sex in an abusive relationship. Conclusion: Experiences of sexual violence are the result of different dynamics; however, IPSV is a form of violence that is still difficult to identify and is more often defined by victims as an impulse or aggression than a rape. Within the couple, the impact of violence, but also the influence of gender stereotypes, affect the perception of violence, assertiveness capacities, and, therefore, the ability to express free consent. Victims submitt to their partner because they are afraid of him; they want to protect themselves or their children; or they do not have the capacity to express their non-consent.

scholarly journals The Impact of Gendered Stereotypes on Perceptions of Violence: A Commentary

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Bates ◽  
Kathryn R. Klement ◽  
Linda Katherine Kaye ◽  
Charlotte Rebecca Pennington
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Rape Myths ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Gender And Sexuality ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Gendered Stereotypes ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practice Development

The present commentary explores the impact of gender role stereotypes on perceptions of both intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual violence. Two papers published in this issue of Sex Roles explored the influence of gender stereotypes on both IPV (Bates et al., 2019) and rape myths (Klement et al., 2019). An overarching theme of these papers is how gender stereotypes may influence incorrect beliefs in how we view and approach interventions to these two types of violence. Reflecting on this convergence, we have come together as authors to consider how influential and damaging these stereotypes can be to victims of both partner violence and sexual violence. Our paper considers the nature of these stereotypes, who is harmed by them considering both gender and sexuality, and also the impact they have in societal and service responses to violence, as well as policy and practice development

scholarly journals Evaluating interventions with victims of intimate partner violence: a community psychology approach

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cinzia Albanesi ◽  
Carlo Tomasetto ◽  
Veronica Guardabassi
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Services ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Process Model ◽  
Professional Training ◽  
Phenomenological Approach ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Purpose Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is one of the most common forms of domestic violence, with profound implication for women's physical and psychological health. In this text we adopted the Empowerment Process Model (EPM) by Cattaneo and Goodman (Psychol Violence 5(1):84–94) to analyse interventions provided to victims of IPV by a Support Centre for Women (SCW) in Italy, and understand its contribution to women’s empowerment. Method We conducted semi-structured interviews with ten women who had been enrolled in a program for IPV survivors at a SCW in the past three years. The interviews focused on the programs’ aims, actions undertaken to reach them, and the impact on the women’s lives, and were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological approach. Results Results showed that the interventions provided by the SWC were adapted according to women's needs. In the early phases, women’s primary aim was ending violence, and the intervention by the SCW was deemed as helpful to the extent it provided psychological support, protection and safe housing. Women’s aims subsequently moved to self-actualisation and economic and personal independence which required professional training, internships, and social support. Although satisfying the majority of the women’s expectations, other important needs (e.g., economic support or legal services) were poorly addressed, and cooperation with other services (e.g., police or social services) was sometimes deemed as critical. Conclusions By evaluating a program offered by a SCW to IPV survivors through the lens of the EPM model, we found that women deemed the program as effective when both individual resources and empowerment processes were promoted. Strengths, limitations and implications are discussed.

scholarly journals The impact of interventions to reduce risk and incidence of intimate partner violence and sexual violence in conflict and post-conflict states and other humanitarian crises in low and middle income countries: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jo Spangaro ◽  
Chye Toole-Anstey ◽  
Catherine L. MacPhail ◽  
Delia C. Rambaldini-Gooding ◽  
Lynne Keevers ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Norms ◽  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Economic Empowerment ◽  
Post Conflict ◽  
Humanitarian Crises ◽  
Sexual Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
The Impact

AbstractSexual violence and intimate partner violence are exacerbated by armed conflict and other humanitarian crises. This narrative systematic review of evidence for interventions to reduce risk and incidence of sexual and intimate partner violence in conflict, post-conflict and other humanitarian crises, updates and expands our review published in 2013. A search of ten bibliographic databases for publications from January 2011 to May 2020 used database specific key words for sexual/intimate partner violence and conflict/humanitarian crisis. The 18 papers, describing 16 studies were undertaken in conflict/post-conflict settings in 12 countries. Six intervention types were reported: i) personnel; ii) community mobilisation; iii) social norms; iv) economic empowerment; v) empowerment; and vi) survivor responses, with the most common being economic empowerment (n = 7) and gendered social norms interventions (n = 6). Combined interventions were reported in nine papers. Four studies identified non-significant reductions in incidence of sexual/ intimate partner violence, showing an evident positive trend; all four evaluated gendered social norms or economic empowerment singly or in combination. Evidence for improved mental health outcomes was found for some economic empowerment, social norms and survivor interventions. Some evidence of reduced risk of sexual violence and intimate partner violence was identified for all intervention types. Qualitative studies suggest that experiences of social connection are important for women who participate in programming to address sexual and intimate partner violence. Interventions with multiple strategies appear to hold merit. Achieving and demonstrating reduced sexual and intimate partner violence remains challenging in this context. Future research should continue to explore how social norms interventions can be most effectively delivered, including the impact of including mixed and same sex groups. Work is needed with local partners to ensure programs are contextually adapted.

Understanding Forgiveness After Leaving an Abusive Relationship: The Voices of Chinese Female Intimate Partner Violence Survivors

2020 ◽  
pp. 107780122095216
Author(s):  
Qinglu Wu ◽  
Ling Wang ◽  
Anna Wai-Man Choi
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Emotion Regulation ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Chinese Women ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Abusive Relationship ◽  
Cognitive Reframing

Forgiveness is known to play an important role in recovery studies of female intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors. However, survivors’ understanding of forgiveness remains unclear. This study explored forgiveness through semi-structured interviews with 25 Chinese women. The results indicate that forgiveness is an unintended process that comprises the alleviation of a grudge held against former partners and a reframed understanding of them. It does not involve reconciliation. Moreover, establishment of clear boundaries is a precondition for forgiveness. The findings supplement knowledge on forgiveness and the importance of cognitive reframing, emotion regulation, and establishing clear boundaries in forgiveness and recovery.

Utilizing a General Strain Framework to Examine Behavioral Responses to Psychological Intimate Partner Violence: Are Responses Gendered?

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (15) ◽  
pp. 3171-3198
Author(s):  
Racheal Pesta ◽  
Robert L. Peralta ◽  
Meghan A. Novisky
Keyword(s):  
Partner Violence ◽  
Protective Factor ◽  
Behavioral Responses ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Gender Orientation ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
Biological Sex ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Sex Disparity ◽  
The Impact

We know from the violence literature that a distinct sex disparity exists in the perpetration of other-directed violence (ODV). Some scholars suggest that this disparity is explained in part by gendered reactions to stress, strain, or violence victimization, in which males and females engage in different coping mechanisms, with males more likely to engage in ODV than females. Using a college sample, we investigate the behavioral responses of male and female victims of psychological intimate partner abuse. We find that although there is a sex disparity in the use of ODV as a coping mechanism, there is also a distinct gender orientation disparity. Our results indicate that victims who ascribe to a masculine identity are more likely than those of a feminine identity to engage in ODV, regardless of biological sex. These findings shed light on the impact of gender orientation as both a risk and protective factor in the use of ODV.

Ethnoregional Dynamics of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Nigeria

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (5) ◽  
pp. 870-885 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugene Emeka Dim
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Rural Women ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Place Of Residence ◽  
Nigerian Women ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
The University ◽  
Partner Violence Against Women ◽  
The Impact

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a reality the average Nigerian woman has to grapple with everyday. Ethnicity and place of residence play a pivotal role in the social realities of Nigerian women, especially with their experience of IPV. However, there is a paucity of reviews examining the impact of ethnicity and place of residence on women’s experiences of IPV in Nigeria. This study seeks to explore the ethnoregional dynamics of IPV from the range of studies undertaken on the subject matter. Eighteen studies meant the inclusion criteria for analysis. The major criteria for selecting studies for analysis were peer-reviewed studies on IPV against women and studies on a Nigerian population, regardless of the nationality of the authors. Databases like the University of Saskatchewan Library, ProQuest, Sociological Abstracts, and Journal Storage ( JSTOR) were used in searching for peer-reviewed studies. The study revealed that Igbo women tend to experience IPV more than Yoruba and Hausa women. The study also found that rural women tend to experience IPV more than urban women. The study points out some of the services available for female victims of IPV and the possible strategies that can be adapted to reach them effectively.

Intimate Partner Violence Forgiveness Dynamics in the Context of Men’s Positions as Victims and Perpetrators: A Dyadic Perspective

2020 ◽  
pp. 0192513X2094634
Author(s):  
Zrihan Weitzman A. ◽  
Buchbinder E.
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Status Quo ◽  
Self Perception ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Male Batterers ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
The Status ◽  
The Relationship

Recent years have seen increased awareness of the need to understand forgiveness in the context of intimate partner violence (IPV). The present qualitative study focused on how male batterers and female victims perceived and interacted with forgiveness. The study was based on in-depth semi-structured interviews with 15 spouses who had been married for between 4 and 30 years. The study findings show that the male batterers perceived forgiveness confusingly out of their dual self-perception as both perpetrator and victim. However, whether as perpetrator or victim, they clung to the position of forgiver. This dual perception blurred the spouses’ perpetrator and victim roles as well as the gap between seeking and granting forgiveness. Both spouses tended to be trapped in their own self-perception as forgiver and hence, the issue of forgiveness preserved the status quo in the relationship and the preservation of power experience.

The Impact of Gender Stereotypes on Legal Perceptions of Lesbian Intimate Partner Violence

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nesa E. Wasarhaley ◽  
Kellie R. Lynch ◽  
Jonathan M. Golding ◽  
Claire M. Renzetti
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Gender Stereotypes ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Southeastern United States ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Undergraduate Women ◽  
Legal Decision Making ◽  
History Of ◽  
History Of Violence ◽  
The Impact

The present study examined legal perceptions of lesbian intimate partner violence (IPV) in an experimental context. Undergraduate women and men from the Southeastern United States ( N = 217) read a trial summary in which the defendant was charged with physically assaulting her same-sex partner. The trial varied as to whether the victim and defendant were depicted via images as either feminine or masculine. Participants rendered verdicts and made judgments about the victim and defendant (e.g., credibility). Results indicated that the victim’s and defendant’s masculine or feminine appearance affected these judgments. Female participants viewed a masculine victim as more credible than a feminine victim when the defendant was masculine. When the victim was masculine, they viewed a masculine defendant as more responsible for the victim’s injuries than a feminine defendant. Male participants had higher sympathy for a masculine versus feminine victim overall, but had more anger toward a masculine defendant versus a feminine defendant accused of assaulting a feminine victim. Finally, fewer participants mentioned the defendant’s history of violence as a reason for a guilty of felony verdict for a feminine victim with a feminine defendant versus all other combinations of victim and defendant masculine/feminine appearance. Results are discussed in terms of gender stereotypes influencing legal decision-making in IPV cases among lesbian couples.

The Impact of Thwarted Belonging on Tolerance of Abusive Behaviors in a Romantic Relationship

2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alejandro Trujillo ◽  
Heather M. Claypool
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Romantic Relationship ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Female Victim ◽  
Abusive Relationship ◽  
Competing Hypotheses ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Introduction: This work examined the role of thwarted belonging in directing reactions to intimate partner violence (IPV). We tested two competing hypotheses. First, we offered the Insensitivity Hypothesis, which argued that excluded (compared to control) participants would indicate they were comfortable and willing to remain in an abusive relationship longer, an effect likely mediated by reduced relational needs. Second, we offered the Hypersensitivity Hypothesis, which argued that excluded (compared to control) participants would indicate they were uncomfortable and willing to leave an abusive relationship earlier, an effect likely mediated by activation of hostile cognitions. Methods: To test these, female participants underwent an exclusion or non-exclusion experience, completed measures of the hypothesized mediators, and then read a vignette describing a heterosexual romantic relationship that slowly turned more abusive. Participants took the perspective of the female victim and indicated when they would feel uncomfortable in the relationship and leave the relationship. Results: Results partially supported the Insensitivity Hypothesis, as exclusion (relative to control) lowered relational needs, and lowered relational needs predicted later desires to exit the relationship (no significant effects emerged for discomfort onset). Discussion: Implications of these findings for the belonging and IPV literatures are discussed.

Professionals’ Perception of the Needs of Female Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Vignette Study

2021 ◽  
pp. 088626052110541
Author(s):  
Diana P. K. Roeg ◽  
Ed L. B. Hilterman ◽  
Chijs van Nieuwenhuizen
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Battered Women ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Help Seeking ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Female Victims ◽  
The Impact

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has a high prevalence and serious consequences for the wellbeing of the victims. The impact of partner violence and the behavior of female victims continue to be poorly understood. Recently, a number of reviews have enhanced the understanding of the needs of female victims of IPV. These reviews improve the evidence base relating to IPV needs assessment and can enhance effectiveness of service provision. The aim of the current study is to review the currency of the knowledge used by social workers working with victims of IPV. We used a qualitative design in which 23 social workers from 10 IPV teams were asked to react to vignettes. Participants were asked what they perceived to be essential for understanding the women’s needs and determining an accurate treatment and guidance plan. Data were analyzed using open coding, followed by thematic analysis. Results indicate that in health services planning for battered women, service providers ask about the right domains, including: the characteristics of the relationship, social context, nature and pattern of abuse, characteristics of the female client, and—although to in a lesser degree—characteristics of the partner. Unfortunately, the sub themes within these domains are only partially considered, and sometimes superficially considered. Some topics that were not determined in the literature as relevant needs factors were seen as important by social workers, or assessed too soon, including the stay or leave question. These findings underline the realistic risk that staff members miss the actual reasons women stay with their partners or make certain choices in their help-seeking behavior. Incorrect needs assessments enhance the risk of female victims feeling unheard, and ineffective service provision, leading to care avoidance and low compliance with the services provided.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document