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JAMA Network Open Sep 2021Domestic violence (DV) has become a growing public health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic because individuals may be sheltering in place with abusers and facing...
IMPORTANCE
Domestic violence (DV) has become a growing public health concern during the COVID-19 pandemic because individuals may be sheltering in place with abusers and facing mounting economic and health-related stresses.
OBJECTIVE
To analyze associations of the 2020 COVID-19 stay-at-home (SH) order with DV police reporting and resource availability, including differences by community area racial/ethnic composition.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This longitudinal cohort study assessed DV police reports (January-June 2020) obtained from the Chicago, Illinois, Police Department and DV resource availability (March and August 2020) obtained from the NowPow community resource database, both for 77 community areas in Chicago. Data were analyzed July through December 2020.
EXPOSURES
The COVID-19 SH order effective March 21, 2020.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
Monthly rates of DV police reports and DV resource availability per 100 000 persons.
RESULTS
Of 77 community areas in Chicago, 28 (36.4%) were majority Black, 19 (24.7%) majority Hispanic/Latinx, 18 (23.4%) majority White, and 12 (15.6%) a different or no majority race/ethnicity, representing an estimated population of 2 718 555 individuals. For each community area, the SH order was associated with a decrease in the rate of DV police reports by 21.8 (95% CI, -30.48 to -13.07) crimes per 100 000 persons per month relative to the same months in 2019. Compared with White majority community areas, Black majority areas had a decrease in the rate of DV police reports by 40.8 (95% CI, -62.93 to -18.75) crimes per 100 000 persons per month relative to the same months in 2019. The SH order was also associated with a decrease in DV resource availability at a rate of 5.1 (95% CI, -7.55 to -2.67) resources per 100 000 persons, with the largest decreases for mental health (-4.3 [95% CI, -5.97 to -2.66] resources per 100 000 persons) and personal safety (-2.4 [95% CI, -4.40 to -0.41] resources per 100 000 persons). The Black majority south side of Chicago had a larger decrease in resource availability (-6.7 [95% CI, -12.92 to -0.46] resources per 100 000 persons) than the White majority north side.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
In this longitudinal cohort study, the rate of DV police reports decreased after the SH order was implemented in Chicago. This decrease was largely observed in Black majority communities, whereas there was no significant change in White majority communities. These findings may reflect decreased DV incidence but may also reflect an exacerbation of underreporting. In addition, DV resource availability decreased disproportionately on the predominantly Black south side of Chicago.
Topics: Adult; COVID-19; Chicago; Communicable Disease Control; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Middle Aged; Pandemics; Police; Residence Characteristics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34473260
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.22260 -
BMC Public Health Nov 2022Reported cases of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) have increased since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. Understanding the general public's...
BACKGROUND
Reported cases of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) have increased since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. Understanding the general public's view about DVA is vital, as it would help develop targeted interventions and effective public policies to tackle this rising problem in society. Our qualitative study investigated the public awareness, attitudes and perceptions towards DVA, and explored mechanisms to tackle DVA in the community setting in the UK.
METHODS
The research team conducted personal interviews with 29 community dwelling adults who responded to study invitations and adverts on social media. We used a topic guide to ensure consistency across the interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically to detect emergent themes concerning DVA.
RESULTS
All respondents were aware of the concept of abuse. Thirty-eight percent declared either having experienced DVA directly or that they knew someone close to being abused. More than half of the respondents were not aware of existing DVA supportive services in the UK. Overarching themes generated from the contextual analysis included contributing factors for DVA, challenges and barriers facing victims and proposals for future interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
Community dwelling adults have a good understanding of the impacts of DVA, but many fail to recognise specific instances or events in their daily lives contributing to DVA. Raising public awareness, particularly in children through the school curriculum, highlighting existing support services and introducing the routine use of short screening tools for DVA in health and social care settings can increase awareness, early identification and signposting to effective interventions. Sustained, multi-level community facing interventions are recommended to reduce stigma and fear associated with DVA.
Topics: Adult; Humans; Child; Pandemics; COVID-19; Communicable Disease Control; Domestic Violence; United Kingdom
PubMed: 36348298
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-022-14426-9 -
Journal of the American Pharmacists... 2020To examine and describe the reporting requirements for pharmacists related to interpersonal violence and abuse in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To examine and describe the reporting requirements for pharmacists related to interpersonal violence and abuse in the United States.
METHODS
A comprehensive search of state laws related to mandatory reporting of intimate partner violence and domestic violence (IPV), child abuse, and elder abuse was conducted. Identified statutes were reviewed to determine if pharmacists were mandatory reporters for each type of violence.
RESULTS
Pharmacists are specifically identified as mandatory reporters of intimate partner violence in 10 states, of child abuse in 11, and of elder abuse in 20. They may also have reporting requirements in more states as statutes sometimes identify health care providers as mandatory reporters, but do not specify which types of providers. Additionally, many states require reporting of child and elder abuse by anyone who is aware of or suspects abuse. IPV statutes mainly require reporting when treating wounds from gunshots, stabbings, and burns.
CONCLUSIONS
Pharmacists are accessible health care providers who should be aware of reporting requirements for their practice location and setting. They have mandatory reporting requirements in much of the United States, especially for child and elder abuse. They should seek specific guidance about their reporting requirements and reporting methods, as well as identify educational and local referral resources for victims they may encounter in practice.
Topics: Aged; Child; Child Abuse; Domestic Violence; Elder Abuse; Humans; Mandatory Reporting; Pharmacists; United States
PubMed: 32778517
DOI: 10.1016/j.japh.2020.07.014 -
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Domestic violence is sequential, developmental and dynamic. The aim of this study was to examine whether, in the perceptions of students in Poland and Belarus, there is...
Domestic violence is sequential, developmental and dynamic. The aim of this study was to examine whether, in the perceptions of students in Poland and Belarus, there is a relationship between involvement in violence and the legal and social consequences for the perpetrators. A total of 482 university students took part in the study, including 251 students from Poland and 231 students from Belarus. Statistically, Polish respondents were more frequently involved in domestic violence as witnesses and victims, which was confirmed by χ test. Based on the 95% confidence interval (CI), it can be concluded that the largest number of respondents from both countries surveyed who have been involved in violence as witnesses (85.2-94.8) indicated that an adequate punishment for perpetrators of violence is imprisonment. Students who have never been involved in domestic violence indicated social consequences as appropriate punishment for the use of violence more often than those who have been involved in violence as witnesses, victims or perpetrators. Witnesses and victims were not found to be in favour of more severe punishment or more serious moral and social consequences than perpetrators. The largest number of respondents indicated that the appropriate consequence of using violence should be imprisonment, followed by a restraining order and eviction from the place of residence.
Topics: Humans; Domestic Violence; Morals; Poland; Republic of Belarus; Students; Criminals; Sociological Factors; Punishment; Universities; Male; Female
PubMed: 36981855
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20064947 -
Brain and Behavior Nov 2019Domestic violence places woman as the victim and man as the aggressor in the family environment. There is limited consistent and clear information based on empirical...
INTRODUCTION
Domestic violence places woman as the victim and man as the aggressor in the family environment. There is limited consistent and clear information based on empirical evidence on the dynamic functioning of the victims.
OBJECTIVE
To further understand the psychodynamics of women in the cycle of violence taking into account the aspects of psychological trauma. It is transversal research design. The sample was composed of ten women victim of domestic violence. Data collection was based on the OPD-2 Clinical Interview. Content analysis was performed from categories created by a posteriori: (a) Previous history; (b) Behavioral aspects; (c) Emotional aspects; (d) Reason for being in the relationship; (e) Type of violence and explanation for the reason of violence; (f) Support network and daily activities; and (g) Clinical and legal referral.
RESULTS
Constant violence causes changes in the structural functioning and psychological conflict of the victims: difficulties in mentalization, instability in relationships, emotional dependence, abandonment of her own life for her partners, difficulty in having a sense of identity. Victims presented difficulties in making significant changes in daily life to break the cycle of violence.
CONCLUSION
The research sought to collaborate with more evidence on the subject, suggesting a reformulation on forms of encounter to break the cycle of violence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Brazil; Crime Victims; Domestic Violence; Emotions; Employment; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parents; Qualitative Research; Referral and Consultation; Sex Offenses; Social Support; Spouse Abuse; Women; Young Adult
PubMed: 31588692
DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1430 -
International Journal of Environmental... May 2021Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global epidemic which 30% of women experience world-wide. Domestic violence has serious health consequences, with an estimated cost...
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global epidemic which 30% of women experience world-wide. Domestic violence has serious health consequences, with an estimated cost of 1.7 billion annually to the NHS. However, healthcare professionals remain uncertain on how to manage IPV. In 2007, the Identification and Referral to Improve Safety (IRIS) was introduced within primary care to address this shortcoming. The aim of this project is to analyse the impact of IRIS, whilst discussing the extension into secondary care. A literature review was conducted using PubMed, Cochrane Library and Google scholar. The official IRIS publication list for randomized controlled trial data. General practices with IRIS displayed a threefold increase in the identification of IPV and sevenfold increase in referrals. IRIS is cost-effective and under the NICE threshold of GBP 20,000 per quality-adjusted life year gained. Additionally, a systematic review illustrated that one in six women presenting to the fracture clinic experienced IPV within the last year. The implementation of IRIS into general practice proved to be cost-effective. Orthopaedic fracture clinics are at the forefront of dealing with IPV, and therefore an adapted IRIS programme within this setting has potential in the prevention of IPV.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; General Practice; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Primary Health Care; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 34070518
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18115653 -
Reproductive Health Mar 2022Domestic violence during pregnancy is a severe public health problem. Abused pregnant women are confronted with the threats posed by domestic violence. Pregnancy and...
BACKGROUND
Domestic violence during pregnancy is a severe public health problem. Abused pregnant women are confronted with the threats posed by domestic violence. Pregnancy and protection of the unborn child could affect maternal strategies for managing violence. The purpose of this study was to explore Iranian women's strategies for managing domestic violence during pregnancy.
METHODS
This qualitative study was conducted in October 2019 to June 2021 in Mashhad, Iran. Data were collected through individual semi structured interviews with 13 women who experienced perinatal domestic violence, two relatives and 24 related specialists as well as two focus group discussions with attendance of 20 abused mothers until the data saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed by the conventional content analysis approach of Graneheim and Lundman.
RESULTS
The main themes "escape strategies" and "situation improvement strategies" were emerged as the result of data analysis. Escape strategies was comprised of three categories including concealment, passive dysfunctional behaviors and neutral behaviors to control maternal emotional distress. Situation improvement strategies was comprised of three categories including active self-regulation, protecting family privacy and help seeking to control violence.
CONCLUSION
Understanding the experience of managing domestic violence among pregnant women is essential to design evidence based violence prevention programs, which enable supportive healthcare and social systems to encourage abused mothers to use more effective strategies and seeking help to overcome domestic violence.
Topics: Child; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Iran; Parturition; Pregnancy; Pregnant Women; Qualitative Research
PubMed: 35236396
DOI: 10.1186/s12978-021-01276-8 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2023Integrative community therapy (ICT) is a methodology used in the public health arena to deal with problems facing communities such as depression, substance abuse, and...
Integrative community therapy (ICT) is a methodology used in the public health arena to deal with problems facing communities such as depression, substance abuse, and stress. This approach is unique as it builds on critical pedagogy, cultural anthropology, communication, resilience, and systems theory. Additionally, creative arts therapies point to the utility of music as a therapeutic tool. This study employed ICT and a music workshop with domestic violence survivors in Quito, Ecuador, via a pre-post comparison group design. A total of 87 women completed the six-week study-49 in the intervention group and 38 in the comparison group. Measures were taken on self-esteem, general health, resilience, dating violence attitudes, and social support. Additionally, the intervention group answered open-ended questions about their experience, and some participated in a focus group ( = 21). The quantitative results indicated that there was improvement in the domains of general health, self-esteem, and social support for the intervention group compared to the comparison group. Themes from the qualitative responses indicated changes in the relationship with the aggressor, psychological and emotional changes, changes in feelings of social support, and changes for the future. The study found promising results for this approach with domestic violence survivors, possibly leading to a community-grounded, non-hierarchical, culturally-responsive intervention for this population.
Topics: Humans; Female; Ecuador; Domestic Violence; Intimate Partner Violence; Self Concept; Survivors
PubMed: 37107774
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085492 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2022The phenomenon of violence against children is a very complex one. There are many types of child abuse, and they are culturally dependent to a significant degree.... (Review)
Review
The phenomenon of violence against children is a very complex one. There are many types of child abuse, and they are culturally dependent to a significant degree. Although studies show that children generally only suffer from mild COVID-19 infection, some social restrictions introduced during the pandemic, such as home isolation, may have many severe consequences on the population's mental health. Studies on this topic suggest that violence against children increased during lockdown due to the COVID-10 pandemic. This narrative review summarizes this available literature on the subject and discusses the different forms of violence against children, their cultural aspects, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the phenomenon of violence, the long-term consequences of the above, and forms of assistance for abused minors.
Topics: Child; Humans; COVID-19; Pandemics; Communicable Disease Control; Domestic Violence; Child Abuse
PubMed: 36360840
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113958 -
Cadernos de Saude Publica Aug 2019Research on violence in indigenous communities refers to traditional practices of competition for scarce goods and clashes with other populations over their territories....
Research on violence in indigenous communities refers to traditional practices of competition for scarce goods and clashes with other populations over their territories. Violence against children is not described, and authors of some studies state a tradition of good treatment towards them. In our study we shows that the situation has changed and new forms of violence are affecting 725,000 inhabitants from 51 indigenous groups of Venezuela, especially those composed of children and adolescents. The method used was interviews with key informants and for secondary census, civil society data and journalists' reports. Results describe the existence of four types of violence: (a) structural violence, derived from the shortage of food and medicines that have caused deaths due to malnutrition and lack of medical attention, prostitution, girl trafficking and forced emigration; (b) violence of organized crime, which exercise control of illegal mining and affect the Yanomami and Pemón peoples, as workforce for the production of coca and drug trafficking with the Yupka people; and contraband of gasoline in the Wayúu people; (c) domestic violence due to cultural changes derived from new patterns of alcohol consumption or the use of physical punishment of children between Piaroa and Yekuana peoples; and (d) the illegal violence of the State for the imposition of mining with the Pemón people or the repression for the protests with the Warao and Inga peoples. In the article we show the great difference between the official discourse of protection of indigenous peoples and the realities of violence, criminal exploitation and violation of rights suffered by indigenous children and adolescents.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Censuses; Child; Child, Preschool; Coal Mining; Domestic Violence; Ethnic Violence; Female; Humans; Indians, South American; Indigenous Peoples; Infant; Male; Social Conditions; Venezuela; Violence; Young Adult
PubMed: 31433034
DOI: 10.1590/0102-311X00084718