-
International Journal of Environmental... Mar 2023Smartphone applications or apps are increasingly being produced to help with protection against the risk of domestic violence. There is a need to formally evaluate their... (Review)
Review
UNLABELLED
Smartphone applications or apps are increasingly being produced to help with protection against the risk of domestic violence. There is a need to formally evaluate their features.
OBJECTIVE
This study systematically reviewed app-based interventions for domestic violence prevention, which will be helpful for app developers.
METHODS
We overviewed all apps concerning domestic violence awareness and prevention without language restrictions, collating information about features and limitations. We conducted searches in Google, the Google Play Store, and the App Store (iOS) covering a 10-year time period (2012-2022). We collected data related to the apps from the developers' descriptions, peer reviewed research articles, critical reviews in blogs, news articles, and other online sources.
RESULTS
The search identified 621 potentially relevant apps of which 136 were selected for review. There were five app categories: emergency assistance ( = 61, 44.9%), avoidance ( = 29, 21.3%), informative ( = 29, 21.3%), legal information ( = 10, 7.4%), and self-assessment ( = 7, 5.1%). Over half the apps ( = 97, 71%) were released in 2020-22. Around a half were from north-east America ( = 63, 46.3%). Where emergency alerts existed, they required triggering by the potential victim. There was no automation. Content analysis showed 20 apps with unique features, including geo-fences, accelerometer-based alert, shake-based alert, functionality under low resources, alert auto-cancellation, anonymous communication, and data encryption. None of the apps deployed artificial intelligence to assist the potential victims.
CONCLUSIONS
Apps currently have many limitations. Future apps should focus on automation, making better use of artificial intelligence deploying multimedia (voice, video, image capture, text and sentiment analysis), speech recognition, and pitch detection to aid in live analysis of the situation and for accurately generating emergency alerts.
Topics: Mobile Applications; Artificial Intelligence; Domestic Violence; North America; Smartphone
PubMed: 37047862
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20075246 -
Health & Social Care in the Community Nov 2022Within the United Kingdom, domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is the most commonly identified factor within child in need assessments, with rates increasing in recent... (Review)
Review
Within the United Kingdom, domestic violence and abuse (DVA) is the most commonly identified factor within child in need assessments, with rates increasing in recent years in addition to 'lockdown'-related spikes. This article examines the representation of DVA in local child safeguarding policies using Bacchi's (2009) 'What is the problem represented to be?' approach. Policies were collected from the websites of all the child safeguarding partnerships of England in July 2021. In total, we identified 59 policies. These policies are designed to guide local responses to DVA across services and thus have potential for substantial impact on practice across health and social care. Our results suggest that local DVA policy in England exists within a conceptual framework which spotlights the individual and lacks attention to their context. We argue that these policies focus on adults, neglecting attention to children within their own safeguarding policies. This is through children being peripheralized within the conceptualisation of 'victim' and the assessed adult risk being used as a proxy measure for the risk to child. Demographic discussions build an image of DVA as an issue that can affect anyone, but with little acknowledgement of the vulnerabilities facing proportions of the population and their complexities - when such vulnerabilities are discussed, they are individualised and viewed in absence of their societal causes, potentially eclipsing critical elements of a child's experience of DVA. The implications of our results are wide-ranging but suggest a need to refocus on children and their context within local DVA policy.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Domestic Violence; Child Abuse; United Kingdom; Social Support; Policy
PubMed: 36282145
DOI: 10.1111/hsc.14086 -
International Journal of Environmental... Oct 2019There are no data about the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy in Greece. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and the associated...
There are no data about the prevalence of domestic violence during pregnancy in Greece. The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence and the associated factors of domestic violence in a representative population of pregnant women in Greece. Five hundred and forty-six consecutive women, in outpatient clinics of two Public General Regional Hospitals in Athens, agreed to answer anonymously the Abuse Assessment Screen (AAS) questionnaire, translated into the Greek language. Five hundred and forty-six questionnaires were returned (100% response rate), revealing that the prevalence of domestic violence in pregnancy is 6%, with 3.4% of the sample having being abused since the beginning of pregnancy, mainly by their husband/partner. The factors associated with higher risk of abuse during pregnancy were nationality, socio-economic background, and educational level. Foreign women or women with a foreign partner, unemployed individuals, housewives, and university students faced a higher risk of being abused. A substantial age difference (≥10 years) in the couple, a history of abortions, and an undesired pregnancy also increased the risk of violence in pregnancy. These findings suggest that prenatal care is an important period for discussing abuse and, in the end, encouraging women to seek help.
Topics: Abortion, Spontaneous; Adolescent; Adult; Domestic Violence; Ethnicity; Female; Greece; Humans; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Prenatal Care; Prevalence; Risk Factors; Surveys and Questionnaires; Young Adult
PubMed: 31683512
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16214222 -
Psychiatry Research Jun 2021
Topics: Adolescent; COVID-19; Colombia; Domestic Violence; Exposure to Violence; Humans; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 33845249
DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2021.113925 -
Violence Against Women Mar 2023To assess COVID-19 information and services available to domestic violence service providers, survivors, and racially and culturally specific communities in the U.S., a...
To assess COVID-19 information and services available to domestic violence service providers, survivors, and racially and culturally specific communities in the U.S., a content analysis of 80 national and state/territorial coalition websites was performed in June 2020. COVID-19 information was available on 84% of websites. National organizations provided more information for survivors related to safety and mental health and for racially and culturally specific communities. State/territorial coalitions provided more information for providers on COVID-19 and general disaster preparedness. COVID-19 and social distancing measures implemented to control it diminished help-seeking in unique ways. Greater online access to information and resources may be needed to address changing needs of survivors during disasters and emergencies.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Domestic Violence; Disasters; Organizations; Survivors
PubMed: 35799497
DOI: 10.1177/10778012221092469 -
International Journal of Mental Health... Aug 2021Disasters including public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic are known to increase instances of family violence against women, children, and other diverse...
Disasters including public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic are known to increase instances of family violence against women, children, and other diverse populations. This paper discusses and provides evidence of disaster-related vulnerability of and violence towards specific groups of people. We argue that the COVID-19 pandemic presents the 'perfect storm' for family violence, where a set of rare circumstances combine, resulting in a significant aggravation of the resulting event. Given the mental health implications of family violence, mental health professionals need to be aware of this issue during the pandemic and ready to assist with the development of strategies to overcome the situation where possible. To provide protection and prevent violence, there is a need to include at-risk groups in disaster response and community planning. Such a plan could involve gender and disaster working groups at the local community, state, and national levels.
Topics: COVID-19; Child; Disasters; Domestic Violence; Female; Humans; Pandemics; SARS-CoV-2
PubMed: 34008291
DOI: 10.1111/inm.12876 -
International Journal of Environmental... Apr 2022Domestic violence is a threat to human dignity and public health. Mounting evidence shows that domestic violence erodes personal and public health, spawning issues such... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Domestic violence is a threat to human dignity and public health. Mounting evidence shows that domestic violence erodes personal and public health, spawning issues such as lifelong mental health challenges. To further compound the situation, COVID-19 and societies' poor response to the pandemic have not only worsened the domestic violence crisis but also disrupted mental health services for domestic violence victims. While technology-based health solutions can overcome physical constraints posed by the pandemic and offer timely support to address domestic violence victims' mental health issues, there is a dearth of research in the literature. To bridge the research gap, in this study, we aim to examine technology-based mental health solutions for domestic violence victims amid COVID-19.
METHODS
A literature review was conducted to examine solutions that domestic violence victims can utilize to safeguard and improve their mental health amid COVID-19. Databases including PubMed, PsycINFO, and Scopus were utilized for the literature search. The search was focused on four themes: domestic violence, mental health, technology-based interventions, and COVID-19. A reverse search of pertinent references was conducted in Google Scholar. The social ecological model was utilized to systematically structure the review findings.
RESULTS
The findings show that a wide array of technology-based solutions has been proposed to address mental health challenges faced by domestic violence victims amid COVID-19. However, none of these proposals is based on empirical evidence amid COVID-19. In terms of social and ecological levels of influence, most of the interventions were developed on the individual level, as opposed to the community level or social level, effectively placing the healthcare responsibility on the victims rather than government and health officials. Furthermore, most of the articles failed to address risks associated with utilizing technology-based interventions (e.g., privacy issues) or navigating the online environment (e.g., cyberstalking).
CONCLUSION
Overall, our findings highlight the need for greater research endeavors on the research topic. Although technology-based interventions have great potential in resolving domestic violence victims' mental health issues, risks associated with these health solutions should be comprehensively acknowledged and addressed.
Topics: COVID-19; Domestic Violence; Humans; Mental Health; Pandemics; Technology
PubMed: 35409967
DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19074286 -
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 -
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Aug 2023The objective of this article is to assess the effect of domestic violence on abortion and investigate the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy. A secondary analysis was...
The objective of this article is to assess the effect of domestic violence on abortion and investigate the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy. A secondary analysis was conducted on the National Family Survey data. This survey was a cross-sectional study conducted across Iran in 2018. The association between domestic violence and abortion was analyzed using the Partial Least Square-Structural Equation Model (PLS-SEM) with WarpPLS version 8.0. From among 1,544 married women (mean age 42.8 years) who participated in this survey, 27% (418 women) reported experiencing at-least one-lifetime of abortion. Overall, two in three women (67.3%) experienced at least one form of domestic violence. Almost half of the women with experience of abortion (49.3%) reported at least one unwanted pregnancy in their life course. The bivariate analysis showed a significant positive relationship between domestic violence and abortion, and there was a positive direct effect of domestic violence on unwanted pregnancy. Moreover, age had a negative direct and indirect effect on unwanted pregnancy and abortion. Although, the direct effect of domestic violence on abortion was not significant in the Structure Equation Model, a positive indirect effect of domestic violence on abortion through unwanted pregnancy was confirmed. The effect of unwanted pregnancy on abortion was particularly strong (β = .395, < .01). These results have some implications for prevention of abortion through interventions against unwanted and unplanned pregnancy and domestic violence. This study makes a unique theoretical contribution to the literature through assessing the mediating role of unwanted pregnancy between domestic violence and abortion by using the SEM model.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Adult; Cross-Sectional Studies; Iran; Abortion, Induced; Domestic Violence; Abortion, Spontaneous
PubMed: 37102584
DOI: 10.1177/08862605231168824 -
BMC Public Health Mar 2023Child laborers are often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental...
BACKGROUND
Child laborers are often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. Child laborers are one of the most vulnerable groups in domestic violence. Domestic violence severely affects the physical and mental health, and consequently affects substance dependence and resilience to suicide of these children. Accordingly, it is essential to examine domestic violence, substance dependence, and suicidal ideation in working children.
OBJECTIVES
the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and substance dependence and suicide resilience on the other among child laborers in Iran.
METHODS
This study employed cross-sectional research. 600 child laborers were selected via convenience and snow ball sampling from one rehabilitation and welfare center and three charity organization societies in the west of Iran, from January to August 2022. They completed questionnaires. Data were analyzed by SPSS software version 22 and with using descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation) and ANOVA, independent t-test and the multiple linear regression model with a backward strategy.
RESULTS
Findings showed that exposure to domestic violence has a strong and direct correlation with substance dependence (r = 0.94, p < 0.001) and strong and indirect correlation with suicide resilience (r =- 0.91, p < 0.001). Also substance dependence has a strong and direct correlation with suicide resilience (r = -0.87, p < 0.001) in child laborers. Variables of substance dependence, suicide resilience, gender, guardian's disease status, living status and age can predict 76.51% of the variance in domestic violence in these children.
CONCLUSION
Child laborers experience a lot of domestic violence, which severely affects their suicide resilience and substance dependence in them. Therefore, there is an urgent need for systematic support programs with content (teaching self-care behaviors, stress management, avoiding tense and violent environments) in order to support of these children and reduce domestic violence against them and subsequently reduce substance improve abuse resilience to suicide in these children.
Topics: Humans; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Domestic Violence; Child Abuse; Substance-Related Disorders; Suicidal Ideation
PubMed: 36899324
DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15367-7