Resilience and associated factors in women survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: a systematic review

Most research on Intimate Partner Violence against women (IPV) has tended to present women as passive victims, but in recent years, there has been an increase in studies adopting a strengths-based approach. The aim of the present study is to review the empirical literature about resilience in women survivors of IPV to (a) analyze the consensus on the definition and assessment of resilience; (b) study the correlates of resilience; and (c) reflect on the applicability of such knowledge in policies and professional practice. Following PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search was carried out in the Scopus, WoS and PsycINFO databases. The search yielded 42 articles published in English or Spanish over an unlimited timeframe. Results showed that process-oriented, trait-oriented, and outcomes-oriented definitions of resilience were all adopted in the research and that assessment methods also differed across studies. Individual, relational, and contextual factors were found as resilience correlates.There is a need for a theoretical consensus and for research on the mechanisms through which vulnerability or protective factors exert their influence on groups with specific risk conditions. Finally, governments and institutions should take actions to support women and children and to prevent future IPV. Gran parte de los estudios sobre Violencia de Género en la Pareja (VGP) presentan a las mujeres como víctimas pasivas, pero en los últimos años el número de investigaciones centradas en fortalezas está aumentando. El objetivo del presente estudio es revisar la literatura empírica sobre resiliencia en mujeres supervivientes de VGP para: (a) analizar el consenso en la definición y evaluación de resiliencia; (b) estudiar los correlatos del constructo; y (c) reflexionar sobre la aplicabilidad de este conocimiento en las políticas y la práctica profesional. Siguiendo las guías PRISMA, se realizó una revisión sistemática en las bases de datos Scopus, WoS y PsycINFO, encontrando 42 artículos publicados en inglés o español sin restricción temporal. Los resultados muestran que los estudios adoptan definiciones de resiliencia tanto orientadas al proceso como al rasgo y a los resultados, y que el método de evaluación difiere entre investigaciones. Entre los correlatos de resiliencia se encontraron factores individuales, relacionales y contextuales. Se necesita un consenso teórico y profundizar en los mecanismos por los cuales los factores de vulnerabilidad o protección afectan a grupos con riesgos específicos. Por último, los gobiernos e instituciones deberían emprender acciones de prevención y de apoyo a las mujeres e hijos/as.

Exploring the Linkages between Substance Use, Natural Disasters, Pandemics, and Intimate Partner Violence against Women: A Rapid Review in the Context of COVID-19

Rates of intimate partner violence (IPV) and substance use have risen during the COVID-19 pandemic, with potentially enduring effects on women’s health. A rapid review was conducted on IPV and women’s substance use in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The rapid review explored two separate research questions with a view to integrate the literature related to: (1) containment, social isolation, pandemics, disasters, lockdowns, and IPV; and (2) the relationships between substance use and IPV. Two different searches for each question were conducted between May and October 2020 and n = 47 articles were included. Women experience multiple physical and mental health consequences related to IPV that can be exacerbated by public health crises such as pandemics and disasters. Perpetrators may use these events as a tactic to threaten, isolate, or use coercive control. Similar tactics are reported in the complex relationship between IPV and substance use, where substance use can accompany IPV and/or be used as a coping mechanism for survivors. The findings highlight long standing women’s health concerns made further visible during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additional research is needed to identify actions required to reduce gender inequities and harms associated with IPV and substance use, and to adequately tailor and prepare effective responses in the context of future public health crises.

Frontline Response to Domestic Violence in Slovenia

In Slovenia, domestic violence is a common social problem that infringes upon fundamental human rights. Results of a European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights survey from 2014 showed that, after the age of 15, 22 % of Slovenian women had experienced physical and/or sexual violence, which is 11 % lower than for the EU overall. The European Institute for Gender Equality, in their report from 2017, estimated that the cost of intimate partner violence against women in Slovenia could amount to EUR 440 million annually. Violence against women continues to be underreported and stigmatised. The Slovenian police are one of the main front-line responders that react to domestic violence incidents. A comprehensive protocol is set in place that enables the police to react as effectively as possible. Interinstitutional cooperation is also available to deal with a case of violence in a multidisciplinary team treating domestic violence. Despite the national policy on preventing and eliminating domestic violence, raising public awareness about it, allocating resources to education and training initiatives, an intervention programme for perpetrators, as well as a coordinated system for providing victim assistance – some deficiencies remain in the implementation of these policies.

Suspension of Criminal Proceedings for Perpetrators of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: Impact on Re-Entries

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most prevalent crimes in our society, but the legal mechanisms to oppose it are recent. The Portuguese Provisional Suspension of Criminal Proceedings (PSCP) as a criminal justice system (CJS) response proposes an integrated consensual solution with the involved parties, to reduce offenders’ recidivism. This article analyses the effect of PSCP on re-entries into the CJS. We examined 1,662 IPV police reports, exploring cases that underwent PSCP and re-entries of the same offender in the CJS. Results show that PSCP is applied in 17% of the cases. From all analyzed determinants, with a possible relation to the PSCP implementation, it was found that social violence and the age of both victims and defendants emerge as significantly associated with the request or acceptance of this legal mechanism. No variables tested moderated the relationship between PSCP and re-entry over 96months following the first police report. The article also examined variables that might moderate the decision to request this legal mechanism among victims and defendants.

A Comparative Analysis of Prevalence and Consistent Correlates of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Three West African Countries

Intimate Partner Violence Against Women (IPVAW) is a global public health problem with huge social policy implications. A quick survey of current literature reveals that very little is known about women’s experiences of IPVAW in Africa as the majority of previous IPVAW studies have originated from Western, high-income countries, leaving us with questions about their theoretical relevance in low- and middle-income countries (LAMIC), such as those in sub-Saharan Africa. In this study, the author analyses nationally-representative Demographic and Health Surveys of three West African countries, involving a total of 27,306 currently-partnered women aged 15–49 years – in Gambia (2013, n=3,232), Nigeria (2013, n=20,152) and Sierra Leone (2013, n=3,922) – to report the magnitude and consistent correlates of IPVAW in these LAMIC. Data analysis involved preliminary spearman rank correlation and multivariate logistic regression models to comparatively ascertain consistent IPVAW factors across these countries. The result shows that many women still experience different forms of IPVAW in these countries. Lifetime IPVAW experience from the age of 15 ranged from 23.3 % in Nigeria, 24.5 % in the Gambia, to 50 % in Sierra Leone, while in the last 12 months IPVAW experience ranged from 12.2 % in Gambia, 19.2 % in Nigeria, to 34.6 % in Sierra Leone. Women witnessing parental violence during childhood and having a husband who manifests controlling behaviours were the most consistent factors significantly exposing women to IPVAW in all countries. However, women having tolerant attitudes towards wife-beating, the husband’s alcohol consumption and women earning more than their husbands were also positive corelates of IPVAW. The results suggest the need for urgent proactive actions to protect women from IPVAW in these West African countries. Other findings relevant for policy recommendations and interventions are discussed.

None of My Business? An Experiment Analyzing Willingness to Formally Report Incidents of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women

Although data show that intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a concealed phenomenon that is severely underreported, studies examining willingness to report episodes of IPVAW are limited. To contribute to this field of research, a factorial survey experiment was implemented in which each respondent ( N = 1,007) received a unique vignette describing a hypothetical case of IPVAW. Slightly over one in four respondents (28.1%) indicated that they would report the aggression. It was also found that willingness to report was influenced by both the characteristics of the vignettes and certain personal ones of the respondents. Practical implications are proposed that may contribute to preventing IPVAW.

Understanding the Components and Determinants of Police Attitudes Toward Intervention in Intimate Partner Violence Against Women: A Systematic Review

Police officers are society’s first interveners in intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and are essential for victim safety. Despite IPVAW laws, police attitudes influence their real actions during IPVAW intervention. However, the fuzzy conceptualization of the construct deters the pursuit of conclusive evidence. This systematic review sought to identify the components of police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW and their determinants. A search was conducted through several databases (e.g., Web of Science). Papers were included if they (a) provided original empirical findings or were review studies, (b) were published between 1990 and 2019, (c) were written in Spanish or English, (d) alluded to police officers, and (e) focused on police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW or their determinants. Fifty-seven papers were included. The studied components of police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW extracted from the literature were tolerance of IPVAW, minimal police involvement, unsupportive and supportive attitudes toward the legal system and legislation against IPVAW, understanding of the complex nature of abuse, and IPVAW intervention as an important police task. Moreover, the central role of individual and situational determinants in police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW was confirmed, whereas organizational and societal determinants were studied scarcely. This review proposes a framework upon which to build operational definition of police attitudes toward intervention in IPVAW and includes remarks on police backgrounds and the situational characteristics of IPVAW events that are essential in shaping police procedures for managing them. Empirical evidence should be transferred to police training and standard operating procedures.