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Revista Paulista de Pediatria : Orgao... 2020Social isolation is currently identified as the best way to prevent the infection by the new coronavirus. However, for some social groups, such as children and...
OBJECTIVE
Social isolation is currently identified as the best way to prevent the infection by the new coronavirus. However, for some social groups, such as children and adolescents, this measure carries a contradiction: the home, which should be the safest place for them, is also a frequent environment of a sad aggravation: domestic violence. This study aims to evaluate the notifications of interpersonal/self-inflicted violence available in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases in the State of Santa Catarina (southern Brazil), for the juvenile age group, before and during the new coronavirus pandemics.
METHODS
Cross-sectional, descriptive study of violence against children and adolescents (from 0 to 19 years) notified by health professionals by completing and entering the occurrence in the Information System for Notifiable Diseases of the State of Santa Catarina in 11 weeks in which the social isolation measure was instituted as mandatory, comparing with the same period before this measure.
RESULTS
During the study period, 136 municipalities in Santa Catarina made 1,851 notifications. There was a decrease of 55.3% of them in the isolation period, and the difficulties encountered in seeking protection and assistance institutions were listed.
CONCLUSIONS
The society needs to be aware of possible cases of violence in the children and adolescent population. It is important to provide accessible, effective, and safe ways for complaints and notifications, as well as a quick response to the cases, aiming at protecting victims and minimizing damages to prevent the perpetuation of the violence.
Topics: Adolescent; Adolescent Health; Betacoronavirus; Brazil; COVID-19; Child; Child Abuse; Child Health; Child Welfare; Coronavirus Infections; Cross-Sectional Studies; Data Collection; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Male; Needs Assessment; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33146295
DOI: 10.1590/1984-0462/2021/39/2020267 -
Sao Paulo Medical Journal = Revista... 2023Specific types of violence such as intimate partner sexual violence and intimate partner homicide occur more frequently in rural areas.
BACKGROUND
Specific types of violence such as intimate partner sexual violence and intimate partner homicide occur more frequently in rural areas.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to systematically review the literature on the knowledge and attitudes of rural healthcare providers regarding cases of domestic violence against women.
DESIGN AND SETTING
Systematic review developed at Universidade Federal de Uberlândia.
METHODS
We conducted an electronic search of six databases, which only included observational studies, regardless of the year, language, or country of publication, except for studies that used secondary data and were exclusively qualitative. Two reviewers performed the selection, data extraction, and risk of bias assessment using a specific Joanna Briggs Institute tool.
RESULTS
Six studies met the inclusion criteria. All the studies had a low risk of bias. Approximately 38% of these professionals identified injuries caused by violence in patients. When asked about knowing the correct attitude to take in cases of confirmed violence, between 12% and 64% of rural healthcare providers answered positively; most of them would refer to specialized institutions and promote victim empowerment and counseling. The number of professionals with an educational background in the field ranged from 16% to 98%.
CONCLUSIONS
The evident disparity across studies shows that some professionals have suboptimal knowledge and require training to adopt the correct attitude when identifying female victims of domestic violence in clinical practice.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
This systematic review was registered in the Open Science Framework Database under the registration http://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/B7Q6S.
Topics: Humans; Female; Domestic Violence; Health Personnel; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 38055422
DOI: 10.1590/1516-3180.2022.0682.R1.180723 -
International Journal of Mental Health... Aug 2022Mental healthcare services have an important role to play in recognizing and responding to domestic and family violence (DFV). This study aimed to evaluate staff...
Mental healthcare services have an important role to play in recognizing and responding to domestic and family violence (DFV). This study aimed to evaluate staff knowledge, confidence, and clinical skills in family violence in an Australian private mental healthcare service. The methodology utilized was a cross-sectional, online survey of clinical staff. In total, 93 clinical staff participated (51 nursing, 37 allied health, and 5 medical), with a 29% response rate. Most clinicians reported working with patients who had disclosed experiencing family violence, but the majority of clinicians (63%) had received no training in the area, with nurses reporting the lowest training levels. Less than 20% reported definitive knowledge of important clinical skills including key family violence indicators, asking about family violence, and responding to disclosures. However, qualitative text response data indicated that many clinicians would provide responses that encompassed best-practice recommendations. Overall, the results indicated suboptimal clinician family violence knowledge, with further training needed, particularly in nursing staff. Stronger knowledge and skills in social workers and psychologists, relative to nurses, paralleled existing research in a medical hospital sample. The data from the study will be utilized to inform the implementation of a hospital-wide quality and service improvement project in the area of DFV clinical response.
Topics: Australia; Cross-Sectional Studies; Domestic Violence; Humans; Mental Health Services; Surveys and Questionnaires
PubMed: 35535637
DOI: 10.1111/inm.13004 -
Violence and Victims Oct 2021Family Justice Centers (FJCs) represent a multi-disciplinary coordinated approach co-located to serve survivors of domestic violence. This study examined the change in...
Family Justice Centers (FJCs) represent a multi-disciplinary coordinated approach co-located to serve survivors of domestic violence. This study examined the change in hope and well-being among 130 survivors receiving domestic violence services through seven FJCs. Using a pretest, posttest design, Analyses of Variance results indicated that survivors exhibited robust increases in hope, emotional well-being, and flourishing. Correlational analyses showed that survivor defined goal success has important relationships with hope and well-being. Finally, hierarchical regression analyses revealed hope contributed unique variance of survivor flourishing over-and-above survivor defined success and emotional well-being. These findings are discussed in the context that hope may be an important coping resource for survivors of domestic violence and offers a common conceptual framework for FJCs.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Emotions; Humans; Social Justice; Survivors
PubMed: 34725267
DOI: 10.1891/VV-D-19-00123 -
International Journal of Public Health Apr 2020To analyse the impact of being affected by domestic and/or relationship violence in early adolescence on indicators of health and well-being.
OBJECTIVES
To analyse the impact of being affected by domestic and/or relationship violence in early adolescence on indicators of health and well-being.
METHODS
Secondary data analysis of a cross-sectional survey of 13-14 year-old pupils attending schools in north-west England, with variables relating to vulnerability, violence and mental and physical health, was performed. The sample of 9626 represented 71% of the eligible population. Chi-squared tests and logistic regression were used to analyse demographic exposure to violence and outcomes.
RESULTS
Pupils affected by domestic and/or relationship violence had significantly worse outcomes and experiences than non-affected peers. Odds ratios demonstrated higher risks of being lonely, being bullied or having deliberately self-harmed. They were also more likely to report an enduring health condition, poorer health practices and worse access to and experiences of health services.
CONCLUSIONS
Exposure to violence in domestic and/or relationships is detrimental to children and young people's mental and physical health and vulnerability. Health risks and inequalities reported by CYP in this study provide compelling intelligence for renewed strategic policy-level consideration in the design and delivery of young peoples' health services.
Topics: Adolescent; Domestic Violence; England; Exposure to Violence; Female; Health Status; Humans; Logistic Models; Male; Mental Health; Odds Ratio; Peer Group; Socioeconomic Factors; Students; Vulnerable Populations
PubMed: 32072204
DOI: 10.1007/s00038-020-01340-3 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Aug 2022Despite increased prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), victimization through DVA often remains undetected in mental health care. To estimate the... (Randomized Controlled Trial)
Randomized Controlled Trial
Despite increased prevalence of domestic violence and abuse (DVA), victimization through DVA often remains undetected in mental health care. To estimate the effectiveness of a system provider level training intervention by comparing the detection and referral rates of DVA of intervention community mental health (CMH) teams with rates in control CMH teams. We also aimed to determine whether improvements in knowledge, skills and attitudes to DVA were greater in clinicians working in intervention CMH teams than those working in control teams. We conducted a cluster randomized controlled trial in two urban areas of the Netherlands. Detection and referral rates were assessed at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after the start of the intervention. DVA knowledge, skills and attitudes were assessed using a survey at baseline and at 6 and 12 months after start of the intervention. Electronic patient files were used to identify detected and referred cases of DVA. Outcomes were compared between the intervention and control teams using a generalized linear mixed model. During the 12-month follow-up, detection and referral rates did not differ between the intervention and control teams. However, improvements in knowledge, skills and attitude during that follow-up period were greater in intervention teams than in control teams: β 3.21 (95% CI 1.18-4.60). Our trial showed that a training program on DVA knowledge and skills in CMH teams can increase knowledge and attitude towards DVA. However, our intervention does not appear to increase the detection or referral rates of DVA in patients with a severe mental illness. A low detection rate of DVA remains a major problem. Interventions with more obligatory elements and a focus on improving communication between CMH teams and DVA services are recommended.
Topics: Crime Victims; Domestic Violence; Humans; Mental Disorders; Mental Health; Referral and Consultation
PubMed: 33866860
DOI: 10.1177/08862605211004177 -
Violence Against Women Jan 2021The year 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of the passage of the landmark legislation, the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As we reflect on the Act, it is...
The year 2019 marked the 25th anniversary of the passage of the landmark legislation, the 1994 Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). As we reflect on the Act, it is important to examine how the VAWA influenced the response to violence against women. This guest editors' introduction provides a preview of five articles devoted to a special issue of . The articles highlight key aspects of VAWA. With H.R. 1585 awaiting consideration by the Senate, we suggest that perhaps now is an appropriate time to assess the Act's impact.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Female; Gender-Based Violence; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Legislation as Topic; Male; Rape; Women's Health
PubMed: 32830588
DOI: 10.1177/1077801220949693 -
International Journal of Environmental... Jan 2023While domestic and family violence against people with disabilities is an ongoing and crucial public health concern, and awareness of the extent of violence against... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE
While domestic and family violence against people with disabilities is an ongoing and crucial public health concern, and awareness of the extent of violence against people with disabilities is growing, research on the field is still limited. Thus, the present review aims to systematically identify and synthesize evidence and effectiveness from intervention strategies to increase the awareness and skills of those with disabilities to reduce and prevent domestic and family violence against them.
METHOD
PRISMA guidelines were followed to perform a systematic search of seven scientific databases to identify the peer-reviewed literature.
RESULTS
A total of 17 eligible studies were identified (14 evaluations and 3 descriptive studies), with most taking place in developed countries. Children and women are the most frequent victims, and they were therefore the most common target audience of the included studies. Sexual, physical, and verbal abuse were the most reported types of abuse, while financial abuse and neglect were studied less often. Interventions also focused on a diversity of disabilities, including learning, intellectual, mental, and physical impairments. Overall, the intervention strategies reflected a substantial homogeneity: focus on training and education as well as setting up channels and facilities for victims to seek help. Nine studies yielded significant positive outcomes using various strategies and techniques, while five studies had mixed results, and three studies only reported on the intervention strategies but did not evaluate the results.
CONCLUSIONS
This review confirms a significant gap in the literature on domestic and family violence against people with disabilities and how to prevent and address the violence through evidence-based interventions. Several recommendations to improve future research and practice are proposed.
Topics: Humans; Female; Child; Domestic Violence; Disabled Persons; Aggression; Learning; Sexual Behavior
PubMed: 36767512
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032145 -
Women's Health (London, England) 2022Survivors of intimate partner violence are at elevated risk for HIV acquisition, yet there is limited research on the best strategies to optimize biomedical HIV...
BACKGROUND
Survivors of intimate partner violence are at elevated risk for HIV acquisition, yet there is limited research on the best strategies to optimize biomedical HIV prevention, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis among this population. Domestic violence agencies are critical collaborating partners and function as potential entry points into HIV prevention services for survivors; however, limited knowledge regarding HIV prevention has been an important barrier to advocate-led discussions. This study aimed to develop, implement, and evaluate an HIV prevention intervention for domestic violence advocates.
SETTING
A nonrandomized, group-based intervention with pre-intervention, immediate post-intervention, and 3-month post-intervention periods were conducted with multiple domestic violence agencies in Mississippi.
METHODS
Overall, 25 domestic violence advocates participated in the two-session intervention. Surveys were administered to assess pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge, self-efficacy, subjective norms, and willingness to provide HIV prevention services to intimate partner violence survivors. Generalized estimating equations were conducted to assess change in behavioral outcomes over time.
RESULTS
Compared to pre-intervention, there were significant increases at immediate and 3-month post-intervention in advocates' intervention acceptability, pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge, and self-efficacy to provide HIV prevention information, discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility criteria, assist pre-exposure prophylaxis-engaged clients, and initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis counseling.
CONCLUSION
This group-based intervention enhanced domestic violence advocates' acceptability, pre-exposure prophylaxis knowledge, and self-efficacy to offer HIV care information, discuss pre-exposure prophylaxis eligibility, assist pre-exposure prophylaxis-engaged survivors, and initiate pre-exposure prophylaxis counseling with intimate partner violence survivors. Efforts should focus on training domestic violence advocates in HIV prevention care for survivors and also include these agencies in collaborative strategies to reduce HIV incidence.
Topics: Domestic Violence; Feasibility Studies; HIV Infections; Humans; Intimate Partner Violence; Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis
PubMed: 35001751
DOI: 10.1177/17455065211070548 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Oct 2023Despite the consequences of physical and emotional sibling violence, which can last into adulthood, research examining this form of family violence is minimal compared...
Despite the consequences of physical and emotional sibling violence, which can last into adulthood, research examining this form of family violence is minimal compared to child abuse, interpartner violence, and elder abuse. One area that has received scarce attention is the connection between physical and emotional sibling violence and attachment in close relationships in adulthood. This research study examines the association between physical and emotional sibling violence and adulthood attachment in a sample of 2,458 individuals who completed a survey on the sub-Reddit platform "/r/SampleSize: Where your opinions actually matter!" Participants completed items on demographics, frequency of physical and emotional behaviors experienced with a sibling in childhood, and adult attachment. Results found physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood to be associated with attachment in close relationships in adulthood. Frequency of physical and emotional sibling violence in childhood was also associated with comfortability with intimacy and closeness, comfortability of depending and relying on others, and concerns of abandonment and rejection by others in adulthood. The findings underscore the need to not only include physical and emotional sibling violence in future research on attachment but also to examine the connection between these phenomena in diverse samples (ethnicity, sexual orientation). Also highlighted is the need for practitioners to assess sibling relationships when working with children, families, and adults experiencing attachment issues throughout the life course.
Topics: Adult; Child; Aged; Female; Humans; Male; Siblings; Child Abuse; Domestic Violence; Emotions; Elder Abuse
PubMed: 37381789
DOI: 10.1177/08862605231179723