VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN

"You're Never Really Safe": Exploring UK Mothers' and Young Women's Perceptions of Sexual Violence Risk
Wood B and Fabian S
Studies exploring perception-based sexual violence risk across the United Kingdom are limited, but research that examines how mothers consider their daughter's risk is even more uncommon. This interview-based study compared the experiences of 10 mothers with 10 young women based in the United Kingdom to understand their perceived sexual violence risk, and how they manage such risks. Findings indicate conflicting ideas of risk perception, yet similarities across risk management strategies, and concerns over the UK government's ability to respond to sexual violence. Prevalence of sexual violence fear, current flaws within policy, and the importance of further studying the mother-daughter dyad are highlighted.
Love's Paradox: Unraveling the Dynamics of Love and Psychological Intimate Partner Violence Against Women
Ablana C, Raynal P and Séjourné N
This study investigates the connection between psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) and love components in relationships, surveying 1,061 women. Using Sternberg's Triangular Love Scale, participants assessed Intimacy, Commitment, and Passion, revealing four clusters ("Moderate Love," "No Love," "Low Passion," and "Mostly Passion"). ANCOVA (analysis of covariance) analysis, with age as covariate, highlighted significant differences in Intimacy, Commitment, and Passion among clusters, validating the classification. Surprisingly, the "Mostly Passion" cluster exhibited higher severe psychological aggression and specific controlling behaviors than the "Low Passion" group. These findings emphasize the intricate relationship between love components and psychological IPV, suggesting tailored interventions for healthier relationships and victim support.
De-normalizing Obstetric Violence in Italy: Digital Storytelling as Source of Information and Identification
Cersosimo G and Landolfi L
A #MeToo movement ("#" in Italian) gained momentum in Italy in January 2023 in the wake of a newborn's death resulting peak in women's online discussion about obstetric violence. This research explored women's perceptions of obstetric violence as shared online. The ultimate goal was to gain insight and information for improving obstetrical training and help health personnel recognize and reduce obstetric violence. Through the method of digital storytelling the results indicate that medical procedures done without consent, pressure to breastfeed, verbal aggression, and a lack of respect, information, and attention to women's needs may constitute perceived aspects of obstetric violence.
Challenges Identifying Domestic Violence in Chinese Judicial Practice: An Empirical Analysis of Personal Safety Protection Orders
Zheng R, Xie Z and Duan Z
Domestic violence is a global social issue that not only poses a significant threat to the stability of families but also has a profound impact on the physical and mental well-being of family members. In China, due to the broad criteria for defining domestic violence in the Anti-domestic Violence Law, challenges have arisen in the practical handling of domestic violence cases. The study is based on 238 civil protection order rulings available on the China Judgments Online website for the year 2021. In China, the criteria for identifying domestic violence are not only still subject to theoretical debate, but contentious viewpoints have also translated into inconsistencies in judicial practice. This study aims to further assess the underlying reasons for the difficulties in identifying domestic violence in Chinese judicial practice and to propose recommendations for improvement.
Obstetric Violence (OV) Consequences and Coping Strategies: Insights Through the Voices of Arab and Jewish Women in Israel
Sharon D and Alnabilsy R
This qualitative research amplifies the voices of Jewish and Arab women in Israel, illuminating their experiences with obstetric violence, its consequences, and coping strategies. The premise of this study is the feminist approach that aims to eradicate phenomena related to gender and patriarchal structures affecting women, their bodies, and their health. The research was based on the qualitative-constructivist methodology, by means of thematic analysis of 20 in-depth semistructured interviews. Two main themes emerged: first, consequences (e.g., physical, emotional, spousal relationships, and mistrust) and second, women's coping strategies (e.g., repression, avoidance, garnering inner strengths, resilience, and relying on external help).
Between International Policy and Local Practice: Nepali Service Providers' Constructions of Domestic Violence in Context
Willey-Sthapit C, Lindhorst T, Magarati M and Neupane G
The conceptualization of social problems is an important site for examining the extent to which the knowledge and priorities of local practitioners are reflected in international policy. This study employed critical discourse analysis to examine the constructions of domestic violence (DV) used by service providers in Pokhara, Nepal, as compared with two major international women's human rights policy documents. Both constructed DV as a human rights issue that should be contextualized within patriarchal and intersecting oppressions. Service providers additionally emphasized the denial of rights and entitlements of family life as DV. This finding underscores the long-term risks that survivors navigate and suggests that international human rights policymakers should broaden conceptualizations of DV.
Disclosure of Sexual Trauma to Romantic Partners: Examining PTSD Clusters, Partner Reactions, Perceived Partner Responsiveness, and Relationship Satisfaction
Hinnenkamp L and Owens GP
The present study explored the relationship between disclosure of sexual trauma to a romantic partner and relationship satisfaction for individuals who have experienced unwanted or forced sexual contact. We examined whether posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) clusters, partner reactions, and perceived partner responsiveness (PPR) mediated that relationship. Relationship satisfaction was significantly, positively correlated with trauma disclosure, positive partner reactions, and PPR, and significantly, negatively correlated with negative partner reactions and the PTSD clusters of avoidance and negative alterations in cognitions and mood. Trauma disclosure had a significant, indirect effect on relationship satisfaction via positive partner reactions and PPR. Findings from this study can be utilized to inform clinical interventions and guide future research for individuals who have experienced sexual trauma.
Advocates' Perception of the Secondary Victimization of Rape Survivors by Law Enforcement, the Legal System, and Hospital Professionals
Maier SL
Sexual victimization occurs frequently and it remains important to consider rape victim advocates' perceptions of survivors' secondary victimization due to treatment from police, the legal system, and medical professionals working in hospital emergency departments. Data from interviews with 41 U.S. advocates provide a comprehensive perspective of secondary victimization. Most advocates perceive that survivors face secondary victimization because they are doubted or blamed, face repeated questioning, feel left out of the legal processes, experience invasive evidence collection, and do not receive the desired legal outcome. Advocates share their ways to reduce secondary victimization, such as preparing, empowering, and listening to survivors.
Mandatory Reporting: An Exploration of Student Perceptions of University Response to Sexual Misconduct
Poole NQ and Gray MJ
To respond to sexual misconduct many universities have implemented mandatory reporting (MR), which requires university employees to report disclosures of sexual misconduct to university officials. The current study examines student perceptions of three different approaches to MR (universal, selective, and student-directed). Results revealed that most students preferred a student-directed approach to MR over selective or universal approaches. Survivors of sexual misconduct indicated lower intent to report misconduct under the universal approach to MR compared to their nonvictimized peers. Additionally, under the universal approach to MR, LGBQ+ individuals endorsed lower intent to report misconduct compared to heterosexual individuals.
A Qualitative Exploration of the Impact of Increasing Criminalization on Domestic Violence Support Workers: Nonfatal Strangulation as a Case Study
Sharman LS, Douglas H and Fitzgerald R
Specialized nongovernmental domestic violence (DV) services provide critical support to victim/survivors. This research draws on 14 semistructured focus groups with 27 DV support workers to examine how expanded criminalization impacts support workers' roles using a case study of a 2016 nonfatal strangulation offense legislated in Queensland, Australia. Our results describe a lack of governmental support intersecting with increased complexity and higher workload burden resulting from expanded criminalization. Expansions to criminal law need to account for and critically assess the full system impact of new DV legislation and the added burdens placed on the pivotal third sector of DV services.
"My Cross to Bear": Mothering in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence Among Pregnant Women in Mexico
Gilliam HC, Martinez-Torteya C, Carney JR, Miller-Graff LE and Howell KH
Intimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy negatively affects both maternal and infant health, yet gaps remain in understanding factors that maintain violence and/or promote resilience within the context of mothering. Nine focus groups were conducted with pregnant and/or IPV-exposed women ( 17) and service providers ( =  26) working with these women in Nuevo León, Mexico. Thematic analysis of the focus group data revealed the detrimental impact of cultural norms that prioritize the relationship with women's partners, marriage, and family above women's dignity. Participants also identified ways that values regarding motherhood function as motivation for women to pursue a life without violence.
Penal Protection Orders and Intimate Partner Violence in the Netherlands: An Application of the Empowerment Process Model
Cleven IWM
This study analyzed the experiences of 20 survivors of violence by partners with penal protection orders (POs) issued against them to explore the extent to which, how, and when POs (dis)empower. The results show that the extent to which POs result in survivors' enhanced sense of safety and ability to move on with their lives is dependent on specific circumstances and the PO impact on their sense of self-efficacy, including whether they obtain PO-related knowledge, report violations, refrain from contact with the ex-partner, and expect and received support from the criminal justice system and others. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Voluntary Victim Intoxication in Sexual Assault State Statutes: A Content Analysis
Fallik S, Branscum CC and Content C
Recent events, such as the #Metoo movement, have renewed sexual assault victims calls for change. Legal change has, unfortunately, been slow for sexual assault survivors who were voluntarily intoxicated during their victimization. To understand the legal remedies available for voluntarily intoxicated victims', this study explored state sexual assault laws across the United States of America. The results indicate that there exist significant shortcomings in the interpretation of and evidentiary requirements in voluntary victim intoxication cases. Policy implications from these results are discussed in the hopes of providing voluntarily intoxicated sexual assault victims greater access to justice.
"I Didn't Have a Choice": Experiences, Responses and Perceived Motivations for Reproductive Coercion and Abuse in Australian Women
Humphreys T and Sheeran N
This study explored reproductive coercion and abuse (RCA) experiences of community-based victim/survivors, their responses to RCA, and perceived motivations for RCA. One hundred and one female RCA victim/survivors completed an online questionnaire. Intimate partners, family, friends, cultural/religious leaders, and health professionals were RCA perpetrators. Victim/survivors' RCA experiences were heterogeneous, incorporating a range of pregnancy-preventing and pregnancy-promoting RCA tactics. Women's response to RCA depended on how it was experienced; victim/survivors were more likely to reassert control when RCA was verbal and not physical. Finally, control was the primary motivator for RCA, followed by contextual factors, drug use, and religion/culture.
Feasibility Evaluation of a Parenting Group for Latina Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence
Rizo CF, Armora Langoni E, McNaughton Reyes HL, Benavides Q, Radtke SR and Jiwatram-Negron T
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a pervasive concern among Latina women that requires accessible and culturally appropriate services for survivors, including programs to support parenting in the context of IPV. Evaluations of such programs are sparse, limiting understanding of how agencies can best serve Latina survivors who are parents. We conducted a feasibility study of a parenting group for Latina IPV survivors that included an analysis of administrative data, focus groups with program participants (= 17), and interviews with facilitators (= 4). Findings center on demand, acceptability, implementation, and recommendations. Overall, the program was well received, and results include suggestions to enhance the program.
Mistreatment, Abuse, and Gender-Based Violence During Childbirth: A Longitudinal Analysis of Obstetric Violence in México (2011-2021)
Frías SM and Castro R
This longitudinal retrospective study of mistreatment, abuse, and gender-based violence during childbirth uses two population representative samples of Mexican women to analyze the incidence of obstetric violence in Mexico from 2011 to 2021. Our assessment is that there are more continuities than changes in the phenomenon and our study does not find evidence to support the claims of increases in obstetric violence during the 2020-2021 COVID-19 pandemic. Conceptually it differentiates between acts of violence, disrespect, and abuse, based on socially constructed gender differences (gender-based violence), and those more generally related to medical authoritarianism and the biomedical model that confers medical professionals a more powerful and higher status relative to that of their patients.
Silenced Echoes: Revenge Fantasies Toward Unjust Events in Drawings and Narratives of Indian Hindu Women
Girish M and Lev-Wiesel R
The study explored revenge fantasies as a response to perceived injustices among Indian Hindu women amid the prevalent gender-based violence. A mixed-method design with 52 women (18-56 years) was used to collect their drawings and narratives depicting revenge fantasies, demographics, the Traumatic Events Questionnaire, and the Injustice Experiences Questionnaire. Participants highlighted non-family events with strangers as perpetrators, preferring avoidance as the common revenge fantasy. Dominant themes included gender bias, sexual violence, body shaming, and feelings of inferiority. Passive aggression/forgiveness as a drawing indicator correlated negatively with Injustice Experiences Questionnaire, offering insights into revenge fantasies toward unjust events among Hindu women.
Emotion Regulation Within Context: Understanding Buffering Effects on Chronic Pain and PTSD Among Black Women Who've Experienced Sexual Assault and Racism
Packard G, Moyer K, Mekawi Y, Corbett C, Powers A, Bradley B and Carter S
Previous research has found that both racism and sexual assault are related to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms and chronic pain. Black women have unique relationships to these stressors situated within contexts of oppression, and little is known about factors that may exacerbate these associations among Black women. Among Black women experiencing both racism and sexual assault (n = 148), emotion clarity moderated the relation between PTSD and chronic pain, β = .0126,  = 0.0059,  < .05. Our findings support the importance of considering the place that psychological constructs like emotion regulation and traumatic stressors hold in contexts of oppression.
The Bounded Limitlessness of Digital Gender-Sexual Violations: The Implications for Women and Gender-Sexual Relations
Hall M, Lewis R and Hearn J
Developments in digital technologies might provide limitless ways to reshape humanity's very existence, but also open up what we term "bounded limitless" opportunities for digital gender-sexual violations (DGSV). That is, "limitless" opportunities for men to sexually violate women within the inherent "boundedness" of digital technological infrastructures and architectures. Building on the existing interdisciplinary feminist scholarship, we explore the gendered disbenefits, specifically some of the ways in which digital technologies provide men with "bounded limitless" opportunities to perpetrate DGSV in physical and virtual times and spaces, and the implications for women, their bodies, and gender-sexual relations more broadly.
The Social Memory of Sexual Violence: "You Touch One, You Touch Us All"
Velte S
The social imaginary that legitimizes sexual violence is continuously reinforced by discourses that are deployed in the aftermath of physical attacks. These, in turn, nourish a specific type of collective memory from which clear social identities emerge. This article identifies the textual trajectories of social meanings associated with sexual violence and their discursive expressions in media, legal, and political discourses. The examples provided here are related to the Spanish "wolf pack case" and its social and political consequences. It concludes that the case not only generated a conceptual battle about violence but also a mnemonic dispute related to newly interpellated subjectivities.
The Impact of Sexual Violence Victimization on Acculturative Stress and Hazardous Drinking Among North Korean Refugee Women in South Korea
Choi J, Kim S and Lee J
North Korean refugee women face significant risks of traumatic experiences, including sexual exploitation and violence, both in North Korea and during migration. However, there is limited research on the long-term effects of sexual violence among these women. Using data from 245 North Korean refugee women, collected by the National Human Rights Commission of Korea in 2017, we examined the impact of sexual violence victimization during pre-migration and intermediate stages on acculturative stress and hazardous drinking. Our findings revealed that women who experienced sexual violence during the intermediate stage were more likely to engage in hazardous drinking, though no significant effect was found on acculturative stress. This study provides valuable insights for policymakers aiming to reduce negative psychological outcomes in vulnerable populations.