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We aimed to analyse the trends of interpersonal violence (IV) in Latin America (LA) between 1990 and 2019 for females and males at a national level. Cross-sectional descriptive study. Following the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study we report IV mortality, premature mortality, years lived with disability and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) in LA by sex. To estimate the DALYs trends, we conducted a Joinpoint regression analysis. Across all LA countries, IV burden was higher among males. Most of the IV burden was attributable to premature death, with a higher percentage in men than women. The burden of IV was most pronounced within the 15 to 39 age-groups in the majority of countries. Physical violence (PV) by firearm was the main cause of IV in LA, followed by PV by other means. Women in LA experienced at least twice as many sexual violence DALYs as men. IV in LA exhibited heterogeneous trends, with certain countries witnessing a significant decline in the IV DALYs rate, while others displayed a significant increase. Our results show the great heterogeneity of IV burden present in the region as the trends varied from one country to another. Policing and criminal justice institutions in LA have failed to reduce crime and violence. Thus, tailored preventive measures and public policies that account for the specific context and geographical areas where this phenomenon is prevalent are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Racial discrimination targeting Asians in the United States has increased sharply since the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite a well-established link with mental/physical health outcomes, little is known about how racial discrimination relates to interpersonal violence, particularly in adolescents. To address this gap in knowledge, we examined cross-sectional and longitudinal (1-year follow-up) associations between racial discrimination and interpersonal violence perpetration and victimization in Asian American adolescents in a large US city. Data from Waves 3 (2020) and 4 (2021) of a randomized clinical trial of a school-based violence prevention program were examined. We limited our sample to participants who identified as Asian American (n = 344; 48.3% female; Mean age = 14.6 years at Wave 3). At Wave 3, 26.5% of the adolescents reported experiencing some form of racial discrimination, including 18.3% experiencing verbal harassment due to race and 16.0% reporting inequitable treatment due to race. Relative to their nonvictimized counterparts, adolescents who experienced racial discrimination were more likely to report being a victim of bullying and teen dating violence cross-sectionally and being a bullying victim longitudinally. Moreover, those who experienced racial discrimination reported more bullying and teen dating violence perpetration concurrently, as well as more dating violence perpetration 1 year later. In the understudied population of Asian American adolescents, we found that experiencing racial discrimination contributes to both interpersonal violence victimization and perpetration. Youth violence prevention could include strategies addressing racial discrimination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal violence is a leading cause of adolescent deaths and disability. This study investigates sex differences in burden of interpersonal violence for adolescents and explores associations with gender inequality. Using data from the 2019 Global Burden of Disease study, we report numbers, proportions, rates of interpersonal violence deaths and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) for all ages, and rate of change (from 1990 to 2019) in adolescents aged 10–24 years disaggregated by sex and geography. We explored associations with gender inequality using gender inequality index. One in four (24.8%) all-age interpersonal violence deaths are in adolescents. In 2019, the rate of deaths in adolescent males was almost six times higher than females (9.3 vs. 1.6 per 100,000); and since 1990, the rate of decline in DALYs for females was double than that for males (−28.9% vs. −12.7%). By contrast, the burden of sexual violence is disproportionately borne by adolescent females, with over double the rate than males (DALYs: 42.8 vs. 17.5 per 100,000). In countries with greater gender inequality, the male-to-female ratio (deaths and DALYs) was increased among older adolescents, pointing to benefits for males in more gender equal settings. Social identities, relationships, and attitudes to violence are established in adolescence, which is an inflection point marking the emergence of disproportionate burdens of interpersonal violence. Our findings affirm that global agendas must be expanded to address interrelated factors driving multiple forms of interpersonal violence experienced by adolescents and reverberating to the next generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the reporting of sexual and dating violence among high school students using a standard gender identity question. Using data from the 2017 and 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Surveys, multivariable regression models estimated the association between gender identity and four measures of sexual and dating violence, adjusted for confounding by race/ethnicity, grade, and reported sex. Of the 198,900 teenagers, 1.8% identified as transgender, 1.6% were not sure, and 1.9% responded that they did not know what question was being asked. Across all measures of violence, transgender, "unsure" and "don't understand" students were significantly more likely than cisgender students to report having been victimized. Standard analysis practices of eliminating unsure and/or don't understand responses to gender identity questions may underestimate at-risk youth. Researchers seeking to understand disparities in youth violence by gender identity will need to ensure that they employ inclusive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major global concern, and IPV victim-survivors are at an increased risk of brain injury (BI) due to the physical assaults. IPV-BI can encompass both mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and non-fatal strangulation (NFS), but IPV-BI often goes undetected and untreated due to a number of complicating factors. Therefore, the clinical care and support of IPV victim-survivors could be enhanced by BI screening and assessment in various settings (e.g., first responders, emergency departments, primary care providers, rehabilitation, shelters, and research). Further, appropriate screening and assessment for IPV-BI will support more accurate identifications, and prevalence estimates, improve understanding of health implications, and have the potential to inform policy decisions. Here we overview the seven available tools that have been used for IPV-BI screening and assessment purposes, including the BISA, BISQ-IPV, BAT-L/IPV, OSU TBI-ID, the HELPS, and the CHATS, and outline the advantages and disadvantages of these screening tools in the clinical, community, and research settings. Recommendations for further research to enhance the validity and utility of these tools are also included. • Seven publicly available screening and assessment tools have been previously used for intimate partner violence-related brain injury (IPV-BI). • Clinical and community-based screening methods are often abbreviated questionnaires. • Research tools involve a more comprehensive IPV-BI history. • Identifying gold standards for different settings may improve clinical care/support, research, and awareness. • Future validation, consensus, and implementation efforts are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low resting heart rate (RHR) is a well-replicated biological correlate of interpersonal violence (i.e., violence against others). However, there is limited research examining the relationship between RHR and intrapersonal violence (i.e., violence against oneself). Using Swedish population-based data, this study examined the relationship between RHR and suicide, an extreme form of intrapersonal violence, among individuals with no convictions (n = 458,785), violent convictions only (n = 8,694), non-violent convictions only (n = 187,138), and both violent and non-violent convictions (n = 37,745). Cox regression analyses indicated that low RHR lowered the risk of suicide by 22% among non-convicted individuals. High RHR increased the risk of suicide by 25% among individuals with non-violent convictions. RHR was not associated with the risk of suicide among individuals with violent convictions only or both violent and non-violent convictions. Research into shared and distinct etiological mechanisms and risk/protective factors for interpersonal and intrapersonal violence may provide valuable insights for treatment and prevention efforts. • Low RHR lowers suicide risk by 22 % among non-convicted individuals. • High RHR increases suicide risk by 25 % among persons with non-violent convictions. • RHR is not associated with suicide risk among individuals with violent convictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to describe interpersonal violence-related injury patterns in the pediatric trauma population and to identify predictors of recidivism. In this retrospective analysis from a single institution, we included pediatric patients (≤17 years) treated (2006–2020) for traumatic injury related to interpersonal violence (IPV). Patient characteristics were compared among mechanism types and between recidivists and non recidivists using two sample t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, and Pearson's chi-squared. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression to identify predictors of repeat injury. We identified 635 pediatric patients who sustained injuries owning to IPV: firearm (N = 266), assault (stab/blunt; N = 243), and abuse (N = 126). The average age of the firearm, assault, and abuse groups was 15.5, 14.7, and 1.1 years (SD = 2.2, 3.4, 2.4 years), respectively. Majority of the overall cohort was male (77.5%) and publicly- or un insured (67.8%), with 28.0% being Black. Of the 489 firearm and assault patients who survived the first injury, 30 (6.1%) had repeat injury owning to IPV requiring treatment at our center with a median time of 40 months (IQR 17-62 months) between first and second injury. The majority of recidivists (83.3%) were victims of gun violence whereas the distribution between assault and firearm in the non recidivists was more even at 51 and 49%, respectively (p < 0.001). Eighteen (60.0%) of the recidivist patients had the same mechanism between the first and second injury. In the logistic regression analysis, Black race and firearm injury were associated with greater than 3-fold higher likelihood of repeat injury compared to white race after adjusting for age, sex, insurance, and child opportunity index. We found that survivors of firearm injuries and assault comprise a vulnerable patient cohort at risk for repeat injury, and Black race is an independent predictor of repeat injury owning to IPV. These findings provide guidance for developing violence prevention programs. Retrospective Comparative Study Level III [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic had numerous negative effects on the US healthcare system. Many states implemented stay-at-home (SAH) orders to slow COVID-19 virus transmission. We measured the association between SAH orders on the injury mechanism type and volume of trauma center admissions during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: All trauma patients aged 16 years and older who were treated at the American College of Surgeons Trauma Quality Improvement Program participating centers from January 2018-September 2020. Weekly trauma patient volume, patient demographics, and injury characteristics were compared across the corresponding SAH time periods from each year. Patient volume was modeled using harmonic regression with a random hospital effect.Results: There were 166,773 patients admitted in 2020 after a SAH order and an average of 160,962 patients were treated over the corresponding periods in 2018-2019 in 474 centers. Patients presenting with a pre-existing condition of alcohol misuse increased (13,611 (8.3%) vs. 10,440 (6.6%), p <0.001). Assault injuries increased (19,056 (11.4%) vs. 15,605 (9.8%)) and firearm-related injuries (14,246 (8.5%) vs. 10,316 (6.4%)), p<0.001. Firearm-specific assault injuries increased (10,748 (75.5%) vs. 7,600 (74.0%)) as did firearm-specific unintentional injuries (1,318 (9.3%) vs. 830 (8.1%), p<0.001. In the month preceding the SAH orders, trauma center admissions decreased. Within a week of SAH implementation, hospital admissions increased (p<0.001) until a plateau occurred 10 weeks later above predicted levels. On regional sub-analysis, admission volume remained significantly elevated for the Midwest during weeks 11-25 after SAH order implementation, (p<0.001). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in rape survivors is considerably higher than the prevalence in non-sexual trauma survivors. Few studies have investigated risk and protective factors in survivors early-after-rape in a prospective longitudinal design.Methods: In a sample of 639 rape-exposed women who were assessed within 20 days of rape and over 6 months, baseline data were used to predict PTSD symptom severity scores up to 6 months post-rape.Results: The incidence of PTSD at 3 months was 48.5% and the cumulative incidence at 6 months post-rape was 54.8%. Baseline experience of rape stigma (guilt, shame, self-blame, social devaluation and discredit) and depression were significant predictors of PTSD symptom scores over time, in mixed linear regression models. Higher levels of depression and rape stigma were associated with higher PTSD scores. Assault-related factors were not associated with PTSD scores.Limitations: We could not measure PTSD symptom trajectories in all rape survivors, some of who may be at greater risk for PTSD e.g. non-disclosing rape survivors, those who declined participation and those who were extremely distressed at the time of recruitment.Conclusion: Addressing internalised and externalised stigma and resultant mental health effects on women who present to rape clinics may reduce the long-term adverse effects of rape on mental health outcomes, such as PTSD. Rape survivors who present with high levels of depression soon after a rape should be carefully monitored and appropriately treated in order to reduce PTSD severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Community assault is an interpersonal violence frequently seen in the emergency centres around South Africa. Its aim is to inflict serious injuries to a suspected perpetrator. Data has not been published in Mamelodi Regional Hospital setting whereas the cases have been observed in the emergency centre (EC). The study objectives were to determine the incidence and factors associated with being a victim of community assault in the EC in a regional hospital in Pretoria and clinical outcomes. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of adult patients who were treated for assault in the EC of Mamelodi Regional Hospital between 5 March 2017 and 5 March 2018. EC electronic registries and medical file were used to identify all patients who presented with body injuries due to assault. Only 807 of 1070 medical records had complete data on the exposure variables of study interest. Of the 807 participants who presented with body injury due to assault, 77 (9.544% (95% CI 7.52 to 11.57)) were due to community assault. The majority of the victims were young adults, of male gender and not married. More than half of the participants were unemployed. Young adult age doubled the odds of being a victim of community assault odds ratio (OR) 2.19 (95% CI 1.02 to 4.70). The odds of being a victim of community assault for males were 11 times the odds of females OR 11.30 (95% CI 2.74 to 46.49). Of the 77 victims of community assault, 45 (58%) were admitted, 25 (32%) were discharged after receiving treatment, 6 (8%) refused treatment and 1 (1%) died. We describe the incidence of, and factors associated with, community assault in the EC of Mamelodi Regional Hospital in Pretoria. Our findings suggest that a modest incidence rate of being a victim of community assault. Young adult males are mostly the target victims of community and non-community assault. Further research is needed to understanding factors precipitating community assault and to test potential community and non-community assault prevention interventions, targeting young adult males. • Our study describes the prevalence and factors associated with being a victim of community assault. • Community assault in African settings contributes significantly to morbidity and mortality. • Study findings may inform the allocation of resources, development of targeted interventions to mitigate community assault. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A 20-year medico-legal retrospective study of femicide cases in Milan. • Perpetrators are for the most part intimate/ex-intimate partners. • Femicides most frequently occur in the domestic setting. • Women under 50 years of age are mostly killed by sharp force trauma. • Women over 50 years of age are mostly killed by blunt force trauma. Femicide constitutes a leading cause of premature deaths for women, yet it has been the subject of limited research until recently. Enhanced data collection and analysis on killings of women and girls are necessary to understand and address this unrelenting phenomenon. This study examines all cases of female homicide encountered at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan (Italy) spanning from 1999 to 2019; data from 2020/2021 were shown separately given the bias that the forced cohabitation and stay at home during the lockdowns of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic may represent regarding violence against women and femicide. In this study, specific factors were considered, including the age and nationality of the victims, the place of recovery of the bodies, the victim's relationship to the perpetrator and the injuries they suffered. As a result, 200 female killings were found among the over 15,000 autopsies and 535 homicides investigated at the Institute of Legal Medicine of Milan from 1999 to 2019, representing an average of 9.5 femicides yearly. The majority of victims were Italian (74%) and half were aged between 18 and 49 years old. The killings were overwhelmingly committed in the domestic setting (78.5%) by male perpetrators (at least 85%), related to the victims as intimate or ex-intimate partners and members of the family (73.5%). The homicides were mainly perpetrated with sharp (32%) or blunt instruments (21.5%), shooting (18.5%) and asphyxiation (16.5%). This study is part of a growing effort to enhance data collection and analysis on femicide. Studying and monitoring the rates of femicide (or "femicide watch") will permit to better understand, reduce, and finally end femicide globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New York City (NYC) was the global epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020. A "shelter in place" mandate was issued in March 2020. The effect on vulnerable populations of adolescent and young adult females has not been well documented. We administered a monthly online survey between May and November 2020 to adolescent and young adult females participating in a longitudinal study at Mount Sinai Adolescent Health Center. Surveys asked about death of loved ones, financial impacts, social interactions, exposure to dangerous situations, and mental health impacts. Differences in responses by age, race/ethnicity, and living situation were assessed, and compared to data obtained on the same cohort prior to the pandemic. Four hundred seventeen females aged 15–28 years completed at least one survey, 94% of whom were youth of color. A third of responders (33%) had lost relatives or other people they were close to (loved ones). Most (68%) reported one or more financial losses, and 21% reported food insecurity, with those not living with parents or a guardian experiencing significantly higher rates. One in 10 reported experiencing sexual abuse or interpersonal partner violence during the "shelter in place" period. Over a third (37%) reported symptoms of clinical depression, which represented a significant increase compared to before the pandemic (p =.01). The negative financial impacts and higher proportion of patients with depressive symptomatology remained elevated for adolescents without support at home. The COVID-19 pandemic had unprecedented negative short-term financial and psychosocial health impacts on inner-city female youth with potential long-term negative impacts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among 9th-to 12th-grade students who completed an anonymous health risk and protective behavior survey (n = 2346), positive future orientation was significantly and inversely associated with multiple forms of interpersonal violence including youth, community, and sexual/relationship violence. Designing interventions to promote future orientation holds promise as a cross-cutting violence prevention strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance use is associated with anger and violence, however the extent of substance use among stalkers has not yet been systematically mapped. The aim of this scoping review was to identify substance use behaviour among stalkers who have been charged or convicted for stalking behaviour. A scoping review was conducted, and nine studies met the inclusion criteria. Substance use among stalkers was inconsistently defined and therefore the percentage of stalkers who used substances ranged from 0 % to 64 %. Substance use was most commonly defined by a psychiatric diagnosis while substance use immediately before or during the stalking offence was reported infrequently. Studies defining substance use more stringently reported lower proportions of substance use among stalkers. Few studies differentiated between alcohol and drug use or considered comorbidity. Overall, this review identified stalkers' substance use as a research gap; few studies met the inclusion criteria, contemporary evidence was sparse, and there was an absence of research underpinned by addiction or non-forensic clinical perspectives. Future research should consider the temporal proximity of stalkers' substance use with their stalking behaviour as this may have greater relevance to intervention than the presence of a diagnostic history. • Only nine studies met the inclusion criteria of stalking as a charge or conviction. • The most common definition of substance use was a substance-use disorder diagnosis. • Stalkers' prevalence of substance use spanned 0–64 % across the studies. • Alcohol and drug use were often reported as a single aggregate of substance use. • Contextual factors, such as the timing of the substance use, were rarely considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal Violence (IV) against children in sports is a prevalent problem and has a major impact on their well-being. However, the causal relationship and the costs for society remain unclear. The aim of this study is to estimate the causal effect of severe IV in sports on Subjective Well-Being (SWB) and to monetize the collective loss for society. The study used survey data from 4003 respondents in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium). The questionnaire included current SWB as well as 41 items to assess experiences with psychological, physical and sexual IV in sports before the age of 18. Severity was quantified by experts and reported frequency. By using the number of sports that someone participated in during their youth as an instrumental variable to control for confounding, the study estimates the causal effect of severe IV on SWB. The Three-Stage Well-Being Valuation Approach was used to monetize the loss in SWB in terms of income compensation. The results show that experiencing severe IV in sports results in significant lower SWB levels (b = −0.45, p <.01). The lower SWB is comparable to an annual loss of income of 9672 euro per person. We have found evidence for a causal effect of severe IV in childhood on the SWB later in life. The results highlight the long-term, extensive impact of experiencing severe IV in sports that exceeds direct physical and psychological health outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal trauma is a risk factor for a wide array of adverse mental health outcomes, including substance use. Research has begun investigating the role of shame in the intersection between substance use and interpersonal trauma. The current systematic review summarizes the existing literature documenting the relation among shame, substance use, and interpersonal trauma. Articles were collected using a Boolean search strategy of terms related to interpersonal trauma, substance use, and shame across six databases. Independent search and screening by three researchers led to a final review of 27 articles, 15 of which were qualitative studies. Findings highlight robust associations among shame, interpersonal violence, and substance use across varied samples. Findings emphasize that increased shame is associated with greater substance use among survivors of interpersonal violence and elevated shame and greater interpersonal violence are present among individuals who use substances given the high prevalence rates. Burgeoning research suggests that shame mediates the relationship between interpersonal violence and substance use. Results from our review suggest that shame may be an important treatment target for individuals presenting with substance use and a history of interpersonal violence. Future studies, with longitudinal designs, are needed to parse out the temporal relation among shame, substance use, and interpersonal violence. • High levels of shame and substance use are present among individuals who experience interpersonal trauma. • Elevated shame and greater levels of interpersonal trauma are present among individuals who use substances. • Individuals may use substances to cope with shame following experiences of interpersonal trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reconstruct the etiology of a perimortem injury observed on a Neolithic – Chalcolithic cranium (5060 – 4400 yrs cal. BP). A cranium of an old adult male individual belonging to a collective burial from Cova Foradada site (Calafell, Tarragona, Spain). The cranium was analyzed macroscopically and microscopically using micro-CT scan. The fracture on the right parietal bone presents characteristics of perimortem trauma. The morphology of the point of impact allows for the interpretation of this fracture as a result of impact by an object with a straight and sharp edge. In addition, the same cranium presents two healed antemortem injuries. The object that most likely caused the cranial fracture was a stone adze. The blow occurred from behind the individual, possibly by a right-handed attacker. The potential to link cranial fractures with specific tools increases our understanding of interpersonal violence during the Neolithic. It is not possible to infer if this cranial injury was related to a large-scale intergroup confrontation or an intragroup violent event. To investigate additional similar sites in the northeastern Iberian Peninsula to better characterize the fracture pattern caused by stone axes and adzes as well as other objects used as weapons during the Neolithic – Chalcolithic ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Covid-19 pandemic triggered unprecedented nationwide regulations aimed primarily at slowing the spread of the virus. The objective of this study was to describe the effect of these regulations on the number and severity of trauma presentations to a regional emergency department in Kwa-Zulu Natal. A retrospective cohort study of the triage register at Edendale Hospital Emergency Department was conducted, comparing all trauma presentations in the month of April 2020 with those from the preceding two years. The number of patients, mechanism of trauma and severity of illness were recorded and compared. A 47% reduction in the number of trauma cases was recorded for April 2020. The proportion of severe cases did not change. The categories showing a major decrease were motor vehicle accidents, pedestrian vehicle accidents, assault and gunshot wounds. The incidence of dog bite wounds and burns remained unchanged. This study shows that the burden of trauma presenting to the emergency department was decreased in the month of April 2020 by the regulations implemented in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a new method for recording nasal fracture in skeletonized individuals, suitable for use in biocultural studies of violence and fracture in past societies. The method consists in recording the 'side of fracture', 'side of deviation', 'type of fracture', 'other facial fractures', and stage of 'bone remodeling'. A lateral impact force to the facial area is typical of interpersonal violence. This may result in a unilateral nasal fracture and/or a laterally deviated nose. Given the predominance of right-handedness in human populations, side of fracture and, especially, side of deviation, may be useful indices of interpersonal violence. As regards fracture type, although a distal fracture of the nasal bones is the most common type, their comminution may be associated with higher impact forces. The presence of other facial fractures may also be an indicator of high-energy impacts. Different patterns of nasal trauma may be consistent with different etiologies. The method is focused at improving our ability to distinguish the direction and type of impact that caused the injury and, in particular, whether, at a population or sub-group level, such injuries are likely to be predominantly due to violence or to other causes. Well healed fractures of the nasal bones or injury to the septum may be difficult to identify. Also, it is not possible to confirm if nasal and other facial fractures are temporally concurrent. To test this method using skeletal collections with known trauma history or 3D prints of modern nasal injuries of known etiologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are few reported cases in the literature of spinal injuries from the past, and all of them resulted in the death of the individual or led to severe health consequences. From the historical record, it is well known there were no cures or treatments for spinal lesions in the past. Given the paucity of historical documents focused on this topic, anthropological research on spinal injuries can contribute with important information regarding the medical history of this kind of trauma. Moreover, skeletal trauma and occupational markers may be crucial for the reconstruction of habitual behaviors and the identification of causes and timing of death. We report results of an anthropological study of a case of vertebral injury discovered in an individual from the Italian Iron Age that highlights this important topic. The aim of this study was to assess the habitual activity pattern and manner of death of an ancient inhabitant of Spina in Padanian Etruria (northeastern Italy). We performed a detailed anthropological and paleopathological analysis of skeletal remains. The unknown individual was identified as a middle-aged man characterized by a particular trauma to the spine. Lesion analysis revealed a perimortem injury at the L2-L3 level. Characteristic markers on the bones indicated intense physical activity carried out during his life. This Etruscan, in all likelihood a sailor according to the occupational markers, did not survive a stabbing attack with a bladed weapon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Domestic violence continues to be a global public health issue, and facial injuries in these cases are common with a reported incidence of up to 94%. Our aims were to identify patients with facial injuries caused by domestic violence, and to find out how confident members of the oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMFS) team were at assessing them. In this 18-month retrospective study of patients seen at King's College Hospital we identified 18 and obtained details on sex, age, nature of maxillofacial injury, mechanism of injury, time to presentation, and alleged assailant, from their electronic records. Most of the patients were female and the mean (range) age was 28 (16-44) years. In 10 cases, the alleged assailant was the patient's current partner. A total of 15 patients presented on the same day as their injury, and only 3 the following day. Punching was the most common mechanism (n = 13) followed by use of a weapon. We also circulated a questionnaire among the OMFS team to gain an insight into their attitudes regarding screening for domestic violence. Most OMFS clinicians were only "somewhat confident" at recognising and asking about domestic violence, and few were "very" or "extremely confident". Targeted training for frontline staff in OMFS teams is likely to increase their confidence to identify and manage these patients, and to refer them appropriately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masculine honor beliefs are the idea that masculinity needs to be earned, defended, and maintained, often by disparagement and aggression toward women and individuals perceived as feminine. Previous research has shown that a perceived loss in relational power (such as through intimate partner rejection) may lead to aggressive behavior as a reaction to feeling threatened. Because people higher in masculine honor beliefs have greater endorsement of traditional gender roles in a relationship (i.e., feminine women and masculine men), we examined whether men and women in intimate partner relationships deviating from these roles (less masculine men and/or less feminine women) might lead to less negative perceptions of intimate partner aggression. We further examined if this was impacted by individual endorsement of honor ideology. Consistent with previous research and our hypotheses, higher levels of masculine honor beliefs were associated with greater endorsement of verbal and physical aggression toward a woman generally. Further, aggression was generally perceived as less negative toward a more masculine wife and by a more feminine husband. Taken together, our findings highlight how adherence to traditional gender roles and norms impact the perceptions of aggression, especially by those endorsing masculine honor-based ideologies. • Honor ideology relates to more endorsement of intimate partner violence (IPV). • IPV perceptions are affected by characteristics of the target and perpetrator. • Participant gender interacts with many of these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine whether women with a history of intimate partner violence (IPV) and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have greater exposure to lifetime trauma relative to women with TBI and no IPV history and to determine the effects of lifetime trauma and community violence on psychological outcomes following TBI. Secondary data analysis of prospective cohort study. Clinical TBI programs at academic medical centers and community-based settings. 72 female participants (age M = 50.5 years, SD = 15.4 years) who sustained at least one complicated mild-severe TBI. Not applicable. The Brain Injury Screening Questionnaire (BISQ) assessed lifetime history of TBI, and the BISQ-IPV module characterized head trauma secondary to IPV. Lifetime trauma exposure was examined with self-report questionnaires assessing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and exposure to community violence (CV). Psychological functioning was assessed with the Primary Care Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Screen for DSM-5 and the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QOL) Anxiety and Depression scales. Women with IPV and TBI (n = 19) experienced more ACEs (t(23.21) = 3.99, p <.001) and greater CV (t(25.18) = 4.58, p <.001) compared to those with TBI and no IPV history (n = 53). Exposure to CV partially mediated (43.8%) the relationship between ACEs and IPV exposure (indirect effect OR = 1.26, 95% CI= 1.24-1.28). ACEs (β = 0.19, 95% CI = 0.01-0.36) and CV (β = 0.06, 95% CI= 0.00-0.12) predicted worse PTSD symptoms following TBI (F(5, 64) = 8.41, p <.001), while IPV alone did not. The results highlight the need to address lifetime trauma in TBI assessment and treatment, which may aid in improving psychological outcomes. CV may be a key factor in the relationship between ACEs and IPV exposure. Addressing CV could potentially reduce the risk of IPV. The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• There is growing evidence for dissociation as a causal factor for ongoing interpersonal violence. • Dissociation is predictive of becoming a victim later in life. • Dissociation decreases the information processing from the limbic system. • An evolutionary approach seems to be the best for understanding the connection between dissociation and ongoing violence. • The evidence is too limited to draw general conclusions, revealing an important research gap. To identify evidence for dissociation as a cause of ongoing interpersonal violence. A systematic review of the literature retrieved from ten databases. Fifteen studies yielded from our search strategy have been included in the review; eleven of these were longitudinal and four were experimental. The evidence indicates that pathological dissociation may contribute towards enduring interpersonal violence. Thus, dissociation may account for instances of repeated victimisation. There are similar indications concerning offenders, but study designs in this area allow one to draw fewer causal conclusions. There is some evidence that dissociation decreases information processing from the limbic system, which may be one underlying neurofunctional mechanism of persistent violence. There is growing evidence for dissociation as a cause of interpersonal violence. However, the available evidence is still limited, and our review rather reveals an important research gap. Future longitudinal and experimental studies aimed at clarifying the role of dissociation in the context of violence should take into account the theoretical and empirical complexity around the concept of dissociation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animal cruelty has been a growing concern worldwide, and is broadly defined as all socially unacceptable behaviors that are intentionally perpetrated to cause unnecessary pain, suffering, distress, and/or death to an animal. This review synthesizes more than 87 research studies identified through online databases and manual search of specific studies. Findings denote that beating, hitting, or kicking, shooting, strangling or smothering, stabbing, and sexual abusing are reported to be the commonly used methods in abusing animals. In addition, children and adolescents abused animals for different reasons; and those who exposed to domestic violence are likely to have higher rates of animal cruelty, which in turn increases their subsequent propensity to engage in delinquent behavior. Male children and adolescents are more likely than their female counterparts to commit acts of animal cruelty. It is noteworthy that early onset of animal cruelty acts is suggested to be predictive of subsequent violent or antisocial behavior. Arguably, bestiality is an act of animal abuse, or specifically as interspecies sexual abuse. More importantly, this review has noted a strong support for the increased risk of children and adolescents who commit animal cruelty to perpetrate interpersonal violence against human victims in later life. Five key theoretical models (i.e., social learning theory, frustration theory, deviance generalization hypothesis, graduation hypothesis, and sexual polymorphous theory) are discussed to explain the link between childhood and/or adolescent animal cruelty and subsequent violence against human victims in adulthood. Implications for research and future research are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe the demographics, circumstances, burn wound characteristics and current tertiary centre management of interpersonal violence (IPV) burn victims in the Northern Territory Top End. It is anticipated that such knowledge gained will be of benefit to key stakeholders across the spectrum of injury prevention and management in this region.Methods: All adult admissions to the Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) during 2010-2015 were identified through the Burns Registry of Australia and New Zealand. Demographic and burn characteristics were compared between those classified as IPV and non-IPV. Case note review provided supplementary data for the IPV subset.Results: Fifty-three patients met IPV criteria, comprising 7.4% of admissions to the RDH Burn Service. IPV burn victims were 2.3 times more likely to be female than those with non-IPV burn (95% CI: 1.2-4.3), and 17 times more likely to be Indigenous (95% CI: 7.9-35). Approximately half (53%) of IPV burns were classified as family or domestic violence; scalding was the most common mechanism in this group. Ten patients (19%) had incomplete burn care through self-discharge, all identified as Indigenous. Twenty percent of patients had no documented inpatient psychosocial support.Conclusions: Female and Indigenous persons are at increased risk of IPV burn. The challenges of providing care to the IPV burn population extend beyond burn wound closure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spy Cave is one of the most iconic Pleistocene sites yielding two adult Neanderthal skeletons recovered in the 19th century. The cave is located in Belgium and is one of the most important sites for human evolution in European context. The remains of Spy definitively influenced the concept of Neanderthals as archaic fossil humans in relation to modern human populations. This paper shows the results of the taphonomic study of these human remains to investigate the cause of death of the two individuals, and why they occurred at this site, specifically whether they were buried. Excavation in the 19th century lacked some of the present-day methodology of excavation, and there is little information about context, but we have examined the taphonomic modifications of the bones of the two skeletons in comparison with the putative faunal remains found in the cave. Several hypotheses have been proposed for the Spy human remains, from human cannibalism to intentional funerary burials. We will try to clarify the possible cause of death and propose the most congruent hypothesis in the taphonomic context of these human remains, from accidental death due to falling limestone blocks to interpersonal violence. • Spy Cave is one of the most iconic Neanderthal sites with two adult skeletons. • Discovered in 1866, various hypotheses were proposed: burial, cannibalism, accident. • We clarify the possible cause of death based on taphonomic and forensic criteria. • The most feasible: interpersonal violence followed by accidental falling blocks. • This case may appear as the first perfect crime naturally hidden. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of patients with assault-related sharp force injury has declined in recent years in Scotland. This study aimed to determine the incidence of these injuries over time and to explore their key socio-demographic determinants. Routinely collected coded hospital admission data for the time period 2001–2013 were used to calculate annual incidence rates by age-group, gender, geographical region, and area-based Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation using midyear population estimates. A Poisson regression analysis model was developed including the variables: age-group, gender, year, geographical region, and deprivation quintile. The data were compared with available published crime data. The incidence of sharp force injury showed an ongoing decline between 2001 and 2013. The fall was greatest among young people and in the West of Scotland and mirrored the reduction in weapons and knife related offences. The relative risk of sustaining a sharp force injury was greatest for younger age-groups, among males, and in those resident in the West of Scotland and in areas of socioeconomic deprivation. There already exist a range of violence prevention measures in Scotland, but in order to further reduce the inequality associated with sharp force injury, interventions should be further targeted to working with younger men from deprived communities of Scotland. • Regression based analyses show that the incidence of assault-related sharp force injury in Scotland fell significantly between 2001-2013. • Although the incidence fell most among young people in the West, young males from areas of social deprivation in the West remained most at risk. • From 2001-2014 trends in weapons offences in the West of Scotland mirrored the trend in assault-related sharp force injury • The fall in assault–related sharp force injury was examined in the context of violence reduction measures introduced during that time period. • Targeted interventions are needed to further reduce assault-related sharp force injury among the most at risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The following study is a systematic review of the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence. The systematic literature review following PRISMA guidelines and combined with the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, enabled us to locate 32 studies published between 1995 and July 2017. Overall, the results show that episodes of animal cruelty during childhood and adolescence tend to co-occur alongside other forms of violent and antisocial behaviors. Cruelty to animals was associated with bullying, behavioral problems, experiences of abuse (emotional, physical and sexual), and juvenile delinquency. Furthermore, recurrent animal cruelty during childhood and adolescence was a significant predictor of the future adult perpetration of interpersonal violence. Specifically, drowning animals or committing sexual acts with them predicted future adult violence directed against other humans. These findings lend empirical support to the progression, or graduation, hypothesis and the deviance generalization hypothesis. The implications of these results for clinical practice and future research are discussed. Finally, since this review has found significant limitations in the literature analyzed, methodological recommendations are provided and discussed. • This is a systematic review of the relationship between animal cruelty and interpersonal violence • Episodes of animal cruelty during childhood and adolescence tend to co-occur alongside other forms of violent behaviors • Cruelty to animals was associated with bullying, behavioral problems, experiences of abuse and juvenile delinquency • Recurrent animal cruelty was a significant predictor of the future adult perpetration of interpersonal violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious social problem that is often hidden, unnoticed or ignored. However, few studies have explored the effects of partner violence onset and/or persistence on the mental health of individuals. Thus, we aimed to investigate the association between IPV onset and depressive symptoms in both married men and women.Methods: In this study, nationally representative data from the Korea Welfare Panel Study were employed to track 1040 men and 3732 women for a period of six years (2010-2015). Depressive symptoms were scored according to the 11-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D-11).Results: Of our study population, 415 men (39.9%) and 866 women (23.2%) suffered from continuous intimate partner violence, meaning that they reported experience of IPV in both the previous and current year of investigation. Such subjects had significantly higher CES-D-11 scores (men β: 1.745, p ≤  0001; women β: 1.970, p  ≤  0001) as did subjects whose partners turned violent from non-violent (men β: 1.623, p  ≤  0001; women β: 1.594, p  ≤  0001) than those with continuously non-violent partners (reference group). Subjects whose partners turned non-violent from violent continued to be more depressed (men β: 0.312, p  ≤  009; women β: 0.880, p  ≤  000) than those with continuously non-violent partners. Through subgroup analysis, we also found that lower SES, as a covariate relative to educational attainment, household income, and economic status, was associated with worsened depression following IPV onset. Unemployed women with consistently violent partners (β: 2.957, p  ≤ .0001) and unemployed men with newly violent partners (β: 3.010, p  ≤ .0001) were more depressed than the employed or self-employed.Conclusion: Our findings reveal that continuous IPV, as well as its onset, can have serious consequences for the mental health of its victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Women with histories of interpersonal violence (IPV) experience high levels of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), problematic substance use, and repeat victimization. Previous systematic reviews considering the effectiveness of integrated trauma-specific treatments to address PTSD and substance use have lacked sub-group analysis by gender or trauma type. Furthermore, mindfulness-based interventions for treating both issues together are under-researched. It is unclear what treatment components and contextual factors impacting implementation work best for women with IPV experiences. This narrative review examines a range of quantitative and qualitative data to explore: for which groups of women do integrated interventions work (subgroups)? How (mechanisms of action), and/or under what contexts (factors external to the intervention)?Methodology: A two-staged search strategy identified eligible studies. This process identified 20 controlled trials reporting on the effectiveness of psychological or mindfulness-based interventions for PTSD and substance use and 39 relevant supplementary information related to the trials. Narrative synthesis using thematic analysis was conducted on manuscripts identified in both stages.Findings: Safe social support and ongoing risks of violence were identified as contextual factors which may affect treatment outcomes, requiring attention by researchers and treatment providers. Whilst there was some evidence that reduced PTSD correlates with substance use decrease, there may be more than one pathway to substance use reduction among women with PTSD, requiring a focus on emotional regulation. Other 'active mechanisms' included different modalities of coping skills and support to rebuild connection with self and others. Lack of supplementary studies for trials involving past-focused treatment precluded detailed discussion of these models.Conclusions: Integrated PTSD and substance use treatment which teaches extensive coping skills to promote external safety, symptom stabilisation, and emotional regulation, combined with access to safe social support and external advocacy, may be particularly useful for women with more severe PTSD, or for those experiencing ongoing victimization for whom past-focused treatments are contraindicated. Long-term support and organisational trauma-informed practice in substance use treatment services should also be promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective this study was to investigate the relative contributions of gender, common mental health symptoms, and experiences of interpersonal violence to the presence of sleep disturbances in Youth in Care under Child Welfare Society admitted to residential facilities.Methods: A sample of 315 teenagers (14-18 years old) completed a self-reported questionnaire upon admission, followed by a medical consultation with a nurse and a physician. Information regarding experiences of interpersonal violence, mental health symptoms, and sleep disturbances was collected using a standardized questionnaire.Results: Anxiety, ADHD symptoms, and sexual abuse were associated with sleep disturbances, F(10, 264) = 5.95, p < 0.001. Results from hierarchical regression analyses revealed that experiences of interpersonal violence, more specifically sexual abuse, were associated with sleep disturbances over and beyond gender and the presence of mental health symptoms.Conclusions: These results highlight practical implications for health professionals in terms of assessment and intervention for vulnerable youth exposed to interpersonal violence. Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder were found to be risky and protective factors for DUI. • Individuals with history of DUI presented higher impulsivity scores than those who did not. • Individuals with childhood trauma were 66% more likely to engage in DUI behaviors. • Individuals with history of interpersonal violence 57% more likely to engage in DUI behaviors. • There seems to be heterogeneous clusters of DUI subjects that perhaps could be identified by multidimensional assessment. Abstract The incidence of driving under the influence of psychoactive substances (DUI) and its recidivism can be curtailed by the proper identification of specific and predictive characteristics among drug users. In this sense, interpersonal violence (IV), psychiatric comorbidity and impulsivity seem to play an important role in DUI engagement according to previous studies. There are, however, limited data originated from low and middle income countries. In the present study, drug-using Brazilian drivers reporting DUI (n = 75) presented a higher prevalence of bipolar disorders (BD; DUI: 8% vs. non-DUI: 0%, p < 0.001), lower prevalence of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD; DUI: 0% vs. non-DUI: 12.6%, p < 0.001), and higher prevalence of childhood trauma (DUI: 65.3% vs. non-DUI: 46.8%, p = 0.022) than those not reporting DUI (n = 79). The evaluation of impulsivity though the Barratt Impulsivity Scale, which give impulsivity scores ranging from 30 to 120, showed higher impulsivity scores in the DUI group (80.4 ± 8) than in the non-DUI group (77.2 ± 10, p = 0.045). In general, subjects were young adults (mean age of 36 ± 9 years), Caucasians (58.4%), not married (61.0%), and with elementary schooling (40.3%) with no significant differences in demographic characteristics between drivers with and without DUI behavior. A multiple Poisson regression model showed that individuals reporting IV as perpetrators and history of childhood trauma were more likely to report DUI (PR: 1.66, 95%CI 1.22–2.7; PR: 1.57, 95%CI 1.02–2.42, respectively). The overlapping of violent situations (childhood trauma, IV and DUI) in some individuals presented here corroborates literature data suggesting that DUI can be an externalizing expression of a range of risky behavior, such as impulsiveness and aggressiveness. Moreover, while BD and higher impulsivity scores seem to act as risk factors for DUI, OCD was shown as a protective factor. These results corroborate the hypothesis that individuals with high risk for DUI could probably be identified by multidimensional assessment of cognitive, risky taking, and personality traits, which perhaps could facilitate the development of focused interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Violence against women is a global public health concern, with high levels of prevalence and debilitating consequences for victims, including a higher risk of revictimization. Quantitative evidence shows a strong association between previous experiences of sexual victimization, particularly in childhood, and future victimization. However, there is limited rigorous qualitative scholarship that advances understanding about revictimization experienced from childhood into adulthood. In this study, we address this gap offering a novel contribution to qualitative insights on revictimization using a life-course perspective. We conducted a rigorous qualitative secondary analysis, adopting a feminist narrative approach, to explore how individuals make sense of their experiences of abuse. Findings showed five main themes about survivors' experiences of repeat victimization across the life-course including: abuse experiences in childhood and adolescence; mental health and 'risky' coping mechanisms; naming abuse in early adulthood; seeking support in adulthood; surviving and a life beyond abuse. Most participants experienced multiple incidents of sexual abuse in childhood, which led to helplessness, shame, blame, and normalization of their experiences, creating a vulnerability to repeat victimization. Childhood abuse had later mental health impacts. Many participants used risky coping mechanisms, such as substance use. Survivors tended to be seen through the lens of their mental health diagnosis and addiction rather than through the lens of how abuse caused complex trauma. To address the impacts of revictimization and complex trauma affecting women across the globe, healthcare policy and services need a narrative and trauma-informed approach, over the short-, medium- or longer-term, enabling survivors to make sense of the connected nature of their experiences and accumulated vulnerability resulting from the abuse by others, rather than factors associated with the individual (their mental ill health, for example, or substance use). This is important as women's individual understanding is critical to processing trauma and abuse, and to longer-term recovery. • Experiences of childhood sexual abuse increases vulnerability to revictimization. • Feminist narrative methodology enables women to make sense of repeat victimization. • Normalization is a powerful mechanism that links individual abuse events. • Abuse survivors need long-term, continual (not timebound) support. • Specialist support is needed to address complex trauma to promote self-efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigating prevalence of child abuse in sport is a relatively new field of research, born from the need for credible data on this phenomenon. To establish prevalence rates of interpersonal violence against children in sport in six European countries. The sample (N = 10,302) consists of individuals aged 18–30 who had participated in organized sport prior to age 18 (49.3 % male, 50 % female). A self-report questionnaire was developed (the Interpersonal Violence Against Children in Sport Questionnaire or IVACS-Q) to measure prevalence of five categories of interpersonal violence (neglect, psychological violence, physical violence, non-contact sexual violence, and contact sexual violence) against children who participate in sport. Validation testing (published separately) showed reasonable levels of convergent and divergent validity. Prevalence rates are calculated by national context, whether inside or outside sport, and by sex (male/female). Prevalence of IVACS inside sport differed by category: psychological violence (65 %, n = 6679), physical violence (44 %, n = 4514), neglect (37 %, n = 3796), non-contact sexual violence (35 %, n = 3565), and contact sexual violence (20 %, n = 2060). Relatively small geographical differences were found. Across all categories, males (79 %, n = 4018) reported significantly more experiences inside sport than females (71 %, n = 3653) (χ2(1) = 92.507, p <.000). Strong correlations were found between experiencing violence inside and outside sport. Interpersonal violence against children in sport is widespread. The sector's approach to prevention must recognize the risks to female and male children (and all children) and the additional vulnerabilities of abused children. Further comparative and longitudinal research within sport is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpersonal violence cases make up a significant portion of the trauma cases seen in emergency centres in South Africa. Community assaults are extremely violent attacks on suspected perpetrators by members of the community aimed at inflicting serious injury. The aim of this study was to profile the major interpersonal violence cases at Kalafong Hospital with emphasis on the community assaults and how this group compares with non- community assaults regarding demographics, surgical intervention and mortality. A retrospective analysis was conducted of the major interpersonal violence cases seen over a one-year period (1 January 2016 to 31 December 2016) at Kalafong Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa. Data was manually collected and entered into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet. The Stata 13 statistical program was used for data analysis. During the study period, a total of 578 cases were analysed. Penetrating trauma accounted for 446 (77.2%) cases and blunt trauma for 132 (22.8%) cases. The number of community assault cases was 75 (12.9%). A total of 28 deaths were recorded during this period. Community assaults accounted for 13 (46.4%) of these deaths. Community assault cases had a significantly higher mortality compared to non-community assault cases with 17.3% versus 3%; Odds ratio 6.82 (95% CI 3.04–15.33, p < 0.001). The community assault group also showed a statistically significant difference in the intensive care admission rate with 15.3% compared to 6.9% in the interpersonal violence cases; Odds ratio 2.41 (CI 1.07–5.43, p = 0.028). Community assault cases may present with similar demographics when compared to non-community assault cases, but the difference in disposition and outcome was highlighted in this study with a higher intensive care unit admission rate and a higher mortality rate. A multi-centre follow-up study is recommended to compare demographics across Pretoria and to monitor trends in this subgroup of interpersonal violence cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Teen dating violence is a pervasive issue in adolescence and has been linked to maladjustment (Temple, Shorey, Fite et al., 2013). Physical dating violence is a particularly significant problem with one in five adolescents reporting experiencing physical teen dating violence (TDV; Wincentak et al., 2017). Acceptance of violence has been suggested to increase the risk of TDV; however, most studies to date have been cross-sectional. The purpose of the current study is to examine patterns of acceptance of dating violence and TDV victimization across time. Participants were ethnically diverse teenagers (N = 1042; ages 13–18) who were followed over a four-year period. Multivariate latent growth curve modeling techniques were used to determine trajectories of physical TDV victimization and attitudes accepting of dating violence. Results showed two trajectories for physical TDV victimization, linear and quadratic, and two trajectories for acceptance of dating violence, non-linear and quadratic. Parallel models investigating the interplay between TDV victimization and acceptance demonstrated two possible trends; however, we did not find any evidence for a longitudinal relationship between the two variables, suggesting that change in acceptance was not related to change in physical TDV victimization. Instead, our results suggest a significant amount of heterogeneity in these trajectories. These findings suggest studies are still needed to further explore longitudinal patterns of TDV to better understand how to reduce the risk of teen dating violence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Violence is a burdensome problem in daily psychiatric practice, even though the diagnosisof a mental disorder is not sufficient to determine a violent behavior; therefore, other factors are involved. We predicted that the participants could be distributed in two groups (e.g. high versus low violence-maltreatment groups) because this grouping would better describe specific patterns of associations in a clinical sample. We aimed to investigate the relation between interpersonal violence and maltreating experiences in childhood. Affective states and personal functioning were also explored as meaningful outcomes. Consecutive patients (N = 101) admitted to a psychiatric unit were evaluated with the Risky Families Questionnaire, the Psychological Maltreatment Review, the Karolinska Interpersonal Violence Scale (KIVS), the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule and the Personal and Social Performance Scale. Single, with average education and unemployed individuals showed significantly higher KIVS scores. High levels of interpersonal violence (IV) in childhood correlated with a harsh family climate in early life. Moreover, IV correlated with perceived parental maltreatment and did not with parental support. The cluster analysis identified two clusters of patients. The first (n = 41) showed negative dysfunctional experiences; the second (n = 60) showed a more positive perception of parental support.The impairment of social functioning and emotions regulation are both involved in this complex relation. The study supports the hypothesis of a clustering of patients that needs tailored management of violence causes and consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the theme stalking was only being given attention in the final decades of the 20th century, the truth is that this phenomenon has always existed. It consists in a series of persistent harassment behaviour of which one person is the victim of another, there may exist or have existed a relationship between them or they may be unknown to each other. This behaviour may be of the most varied nature and, frequently, if seen in an isolated form, may appear to be simple acts of courtship and demonstrations of affection, which are not taken very seriously by society. One of the first countries that criminalized stalking was the United States of America, more specifically the State of California, in 1990. Several European countries also included stalking in their legal systems, making it independent of other crimes, especially the crime of domestic violence. In Portugal, this behaviour was criminalized in 2015, described in article 154-A of the Criminal Code, under the heading persecution. The aim of this work is to make a juridical analysis of the article 154-A of the Portuguese Criminal Code, to understand if there was truly the need to create a new type of crime for the behaviour of stalking, or if other previously typified legal measures would have been sufficient to protect the victims' interests. This study is also intended to indicate alternative forms of punishment for this phenomenon under the Portuguese jurisdiction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early studies examining parenting in the setting of intimate partner violence (IPV) often focus on abuse by the IPV perpetrator or effects of long term exposure. This review addresses how intimate partner violence impacts victim parenting. Seven databases were searched for the time period 1970–2015. Included were comparative studies involving children 11 years or younger. Quality ranking was based on: confirmation of victim status, consideration of co-perpetration, heterogeneity of the population, and standardization of measurements. Of 13,038 studies reviewed, 33 included studies showed that victimization is associated with negative parenting practices. Based on data presented within individual studies, 21 studies were eligible for meta-analysis which demonstrated modest effect sizes with high levels of heterogeneity. There was a negative correlation between IPV and positive parenting (r = -0.08; 95% CI: −.12, − .04); positive correlation between IPV and physical aggression (r = .17; 95% CI: .11, .23) and neglect (r = .12; 95% CI: .01, .23); and a trend toward positive correlation between IPV and psychological aggression (r = .23; 95% CI: −.94, .47). A synthesis of studies unsuitable for meta-analysis reinforced these findings. The review demonstrated ongoing methodological issues with extant literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Approximately 25% of the world's population consists of young people. The experience of violence peaks during adolescence and the early adult years. A link between personal experience of violence and mental health among young people has been demonstrated but rural-urban differences in these associations are less well known in low to middle income countries. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between interpersonal violence and psychological distress among rural and urban young women.Methods: Data on experiences of violence and psychological distress were collected from a total of 926 non-pregnant young women aged between 18 and 22 years of age in rural and urban sites in South Africa. The General Health Questionnaire-28 was used to assess psychological distress as an indicator of mental health. Generalised structural equation models were employed to assess potential pathways of association between interpersonal violence and psychological distress.Results: Thirty-four percent of the urban young women (n = 161) reported psychological distress compared to 18% of rural young women (n = 81). In unadjusted analysis, exposure to interpersonal violence doubled the odds of psychological distress in the urban adolescents and increased the odds 1.6 times in the rural adolescents. In adjusted models, the relationship remained significant in the urban area only (OR 1.84, 95% CI 1.13-3.00). Rural residence seemed protective against psychological distress (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.24-0.69). Structural equation modelling did not reveal any direct association between exposure to interpersonal violence and psychological distress among rural young women. Stressful household events were indirectly associated with psychological distress, mediated by violence among young women in the urban area.Conclusion: The relationship between violence and psychological distress differs between urban and rural-residing young women in South Africa, and is influenced by individual, household and community (contextual) factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Suicide attempt (SA) rates in the U.S. Army increased substantially during the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. This study examined associations of family violence (FV) history with SA risk among soldiers. Using administrative data from the Army Study to Assess Risk and Resilience in Servicemembers (Army STARRS), we identified person-month records of active duty, Regular Army, enlisted soldiers with medically documented SAs from 2004 to 2009 ( n = 9650) and a sample of control person-months ( n = 153,528). Logistic regression analyses examined associations of FV with SA, adjusting for socio-demographics, service-related characteristics, and prior mental health diagnosis. Odds of SA were higher in soldiers with a FV history and increased as the number of FV events increased. Soldiers experiencing past-month FV were almost five times as likely to attempt suicide as those with no FV history. Odds of SA were elevated for both perpetrators and those who were exclusively victims. Male perpetrators had higher odds of SA than male victims, whereas female perpetrators and female victims did not differ in SA risk. A discrete-time hazard function indicated that SA risk was highest in the initial months following the first FV event. FV is an important consideration in understanding risk of SA among soldiers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to increasing internet and mobile penetration, children in India are at risk of cyberbullying. A survey of 174 middle graders in Delhi showed that, of total, 8% indulged in cyberbullying and 17% reported being victimized by such acts. However, prevalence of in-person bullying, fighting and victimization by either was 16%, 12% and 17% respectively. Males were more likely to bully and fight in-person than females. They were also more likely to be victims of both online and offline aggression. Interwoven modes of bullying along with safe use of technology need to be understood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methylation of the serotonin 3A receptor gene ( HTR3A ) has been linked to child maltreatment and adult psychopathology. The present study examined whether HTR3A methylation might be associated with mothers' lifetime exposure to interpersonal violence (IPV), IPV-related psychopathology, child disturbance of attachment, and maternal neural activity. Methods Number of maternal lifetime IPV exposures and measures of maternal psychopathology including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), major depression and aggressive behavior (AgB), and a measure of child attachment disturbance known as “secure base distortion” (SBD) were assessed in a sample of 35 mothers and children aged 12–42 months. Brain fMRI activation was assessed in mothers using 30-s silent film excerpts depicting menacing adult male-female interactions versus prosocial and neutral interactions. Group and continuous analyses were performed to test for associations between clinical and fMRI variables with DNA methylation. Results Maternal IPV exposure-frequency was associated with maternal PTSD; and maternal IPV-PTSD was in turn associated with child SBD. Methylation status of several CpG sites in the HTR3A gene was associated with maternal IPV and IPV-PTSD severity, AgB and child SBD, in particular, self-endangering behavior. Methylation status at a specific CpG site (CpG2_III) was associated with decreased medial prefrontal cortical (mPFC) activity in response to film-stimuli of adult male-female interactions evocative of violence as compared to prosocial and neutral interactions. Conclusions Methylation status of the HTR3A gene in mothers is linked to maternal IPV-related psychopathology, trauma-induced brain activation patterns, and child attachment disturbance in the form of SBD during a sensitive period in the development of self-regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scholars have long been interested in understanding conflict in prehistoric times. Skeletal lesions attributable to interpersonal violence constitute the most direct evidence available to make inferences on the diachronic changes in the frequency, scale, and motivation for conflict among human communities. It has been proposed that evidence of violence becomes more common among Early Holocene Mesolithic hunter-gatherers; however, the skeletal record becomes increasingly fragmentary in more ancient periods, making the finding of new evidence of great importance. We present here a case of traumatic recidivism in a Mesolithic female from the site of Mezzocorona-Borgonuovo (MBN-1) in the northeastern Italian Alps (Trento). This female displays a perimortem perforating defect in the frontal bone, as well as healed cranial and forearm fractures. Although it is possible to interpret these injuries as resulting from falls from height, we propose that they are most compatible with MBN-1 being victim over time of multiple episodes of interpersonal violence. In addition, probably a few months before death, MBN-1 suffered another traumatic injury of the ankle, and in this case the fall from height appears the most likely scenario. We further propose that the attacks leading to the cranial and forearm fractures were presumably perpetrated by individuals coming from outside MBN-1's group. Conversely, her group most likely cared for her through medical treatment – as suggested by the successful healing of forearm and ankle fractures – and by according her a formal burial. The traumatic history of MBN-1 provides rare glimpses into the life experience of a Mesolithic female from northeastern Italy, a context where human remains are extremely rare. However, being a single case, more findings are needed to understand whether or not MBN-1 can be viewed as emblematic of the overall exposure to interpersonal or accidental trauma for Mesolithic groups in the area, and to explore issues of frequency, origin, and motivation for ancient conflict. • We describe multiple healed and unhealed trauma in a Mesolithic female from Italy. • Certain lesions are compatible with multiple episodes of interpersonal violence. • The attacks may have originated from outside the foraging group of this female. • The successful healing of complex fractures suggests that cures were received. • Mezzocorona adds evidence of violence in a scarcely documented area and period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to describe changes in annual incidence rates and the severity of deliberate interpersonal violence based on hospital and forensic data in a Danish urban population 2003–2021. Included in the study were local victims of violence admitted to Odense University Hospital and/or subjected to medico-legal autopsy at the Institute of Forensic Medicine, University of Southern Denmark from 2003 to 2021. Based on population counts, we estimated overall and gender specific annual incidence rates in different age groups. For the 14,788 victims included in the study, the gender-specific incidence rates were 5.7 for males and 2.4 for females per 1000 population/year. The incidence rates decreased almost fourfold for both genders in all age groups. In both gender, the incidence rate of violence involving mild injuries decreased significantly, whereas incidence rate of violence involving severe injuries remained unchanged over the study period. The proportion of superficial lesions decreased and the proportion of wounds, bone fractures, and deep lesions increased. The proportion of victims with injuries from knifes increased from 3.0 to 5.4% in the study period. Overall, 0.3% died from their injuries. The present study showed a significant decreased in the incidence rate of violence based on hospital and forensic data. The decrease involved solely victims with less severe injuries. We recommend studies combining hospital, forensic, and police data. • The study analysed data from an A&E department and a forensic institute on 14,788 victims of interpersonal violence. • The incidence rates were 5.7 for males and 2.4 for females per 1000 population/year. • The incidence rates decreased almost fourfold for both genders in all age groups. • The incidence rate of victims with severe injuries was unchanged from 2003 to 2021. • The incidence rate of victims with mild lesion decreased significantly from 2003 to 2021. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is meant to put a focus on the prevalence of emotional abuse in low-income states like the Sub-Saharan region. Searching PubMed, Google scholar, and web of science during February and April 2021 a total of 2264 articles were identified, 27 met the inclusion criteria. We added the results of 13 VAC (Violence Against Children and Youth) studies, conducted by UNICEF capturing information about experienced sexual, physical, or emotional violence in 13–24-year-olds, as well as 56 MIC (Multiple Indicator Cluster) studies, conducted by the CDC to research the disciplinary methods used with children aged 1–14 years in the past month by older household members. Finally, in a meta-analytic approach, we aimed to calculate a pooled estimate of the prevalence. The included studies depicted a wide range in prevalence rates across countries. For example, while the VAC study in Lesotho in 2018 showed low incidence rates of emotional violence (6.9 % Females, 3.8 % Males), the average prevalence recorded by the MIC study was as high as 57.8 % for females and 59.2 % for males. On average, the MIC studies displayed a higher incidence and the discrepancy of prevalence of emotional abuse between females and males was small. Calculating a pooled estimate of the prevalence was not possible, due to the heterogeneity of the data. In general countries displayed a high prevalence. A standardized use of a uniform definition of emotional abuse might help to display a more homogenous data set in the future, giving the opportunity for pooled estimates of prevalence. • Emotional abuse was not main focus of previous studies, rather other forms like sexual, physical abuse • Emotional abuse can lead to poor health in later life (higher prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes, obesity, smoking and alcohol abuse etc.) • There are no overall estimates about prevalence of emotional abuse in Sub-Saharan Africa so far [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Little is known about gender differences in aetiology and management of acute burns in resource-constrained settings in South Africa.Method: This cross-sectional study is based on burn case reports (n=1915) from eight emergency centres in Western Cape, South Africa (June 2012-May 2013). Male/female rate ratios by age group and age-specific incidence rates were compiled for urban and rural areas along with gender differences in proportions between children and adults for injury aetiology, burn severity, length of stay and patient disposition.Results: Children 0-4 years in urban areas had the highest burn incidence but only among adults did male rates surpass females, with fire burns more common among men 20-39 years and hot liquid burns among men 55+ years. Men had a higher proportion of burns during weekends, from interpersonal violence and suspected use of alcohol/other substances, with more pronounced differences for hot liquid burns. Despite similar Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) scores, men were more often transferred to higher levels of care and women more often treated and discharged.Conclusion: Burns were far more common among children although gender differences arose only among adults. Men sustained more injuries of somewhat different aetiology and were referred to higher levels of care more often for comparable wound severity. The results suggest different disposition between men and women despite similar AIS scores. However, further studies with more comprehensive information on severity level and other care- and patient-related factors are needed to explore these results further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Existing research suggests that various forms of family violence such as domestic violence and child abuse tend to coexist or cluster. Although the link between animal cruelty and domestic violence is well publicized, little research has examined various forms of animal abuse and possible links between corresponding forms of interpersonal offenses. The present study examined a subsample obtained from the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. (BAU) III — Crimes Against Children, which included the criminal histories of 150 adult males arrested for animal cruelty, neglect or sexual abuse in the U.S. between 2004 and 2009. The sample was described in terms of demographic and criminal characteristics. Results indicated that 41% of the offenders in the sample were arrested for interpersonal violence at least once, 18% were arrested for a sex offense such as rape or child molestation, and 28% were arrested for another interpersonal crime such as violating a restraining order or harassment. Significant relationships were discovered between Active animal cruelty (such as beating or stabbing) and both interpersonal violence and substance abuse as well as between sexually abusing animals and sexual offending against humans. These results point to the need for increased collaboration between animal welfare agencies and the social service and legal entities responsible for protecting domestic violence victims, children, elders, and others at risk groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]