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Individuals convicted of committing domestic violence are often court mandated to attend a Batterer Intervention Program (BIP). Evidence of the effectiveness of these programs, however, is inconclusive largely because of the diversity in approaches used by BIPs. In a pre-test/post-test design, the current study assessed outcomes associated with one specific BIP: a counseling-based, non-punitive psychoeducational program designed to treat both male and female domestic violence offenders. A sample of 149 clients completed a comprehensive survey both prior to and upon completion of the BIP. Participation in this BIP fostered attitudes known to be associated with nonviolence, including perceptions of accountability, anger management, indications of safety planning, and reported desire for change. Additionally, self-reported levels of psychological and physical violence decreased from pre- to post-treatment. Theoretical and therapeutic implications for BIPs are discussed., Author(s): Erin E. Crockett[sup.1] , Elizabeth Keneski[sup.2] , Kathryn Yeager[sup.2] , Timothy J. Loving[sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Psychology, Southwestern University, 1001 E. University Avenue, 78626, Georgetown, TX, USA [...]

Using an 18-month longitudinal follow-up of women receiving healthcare at intervention clinics compared to control clinics, the present study tested four hypotheses related to the effectiveness of a systems change intervention on intimate partner violence (IPV) inquiry, violence reduction and the health and wellbeing of women patients in family medicine clinics. The study also examined participants' views of the benefits and harms of IPV inquiry. Results showed that the intervention increased IPV inquiry, discussion, and disclosure compared to usual care. Women in intervention clinics made fewer doctor visits, but also received more prescriptions over time. The groups did not differ in change in physical violence, use of safety plans and strategies, connection to the community, patient satisfaction, or quality of health. Over the course of the study, both the intervention and usual care groups adopted more safety behaviors and experienced less violence, suggesting that participating in research interviews may have constituted an unintentional intervention. Small sample size (N=34), low participation rate (32 %) and attrition (35 %) call for caution in interpreting these results. Keywords Intimate partner violence * Healthcare * IPV screening and inquiry * Systems change, Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common among female medical patients in primary care settings and exacts a heavy toll on their health and well-being. A recent comprehensive review reveals IPV [...]

The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 is one of the most dramatic examples of the adverse multiplicative effects of small errors and a failure to learn [...]

Summary Victims of domestic violence have increased contact with healthcare services, but may not always be identified as experiencing abuse. Guidelines advocate that healthcare professionals should enquire about abuse and [...]

Research on screening for intimate partner violence (IPV) within health care in a sub-Saharan African context is rare. This paper assessed factors associated with the readiness to screen for IPV among care providers (HCP, n = 274) at Kano hospital, Nigeria. Readiness was measured using the Domestic Violence Health Care Providers' survey instrument, which measures grade of perceived self-efficacy in screening for IPV, fear for victim/provider safety, access to system support to refer IPV victims, professional roles resistant/ fear of offending clients, and blaming the victim for being abused victim. Social workers perceived a higher self-efficacy and better access to system support networks to refer victims than peers in other occupation categories. Female care providers and doctors were less likely to blame the victim than males and social workers, respectively. Younger care providers of Yoruba ethnicity and social workers were less likely to perceive conflicting professional roles related to screening than older providers of Hausa ethnicity and doctors, respectively. Implications of our findings for interventions and further research are discussed. Keywords: health care providers; intimate partner violence; screening; Nigeria DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.25.5.689

Intimate partner physical abuse (IPPA) of women is a societal problem with sinister implications on health. IPPA has been integrally linked to social status though the direction of association remains elusive, not the least in sub-Saharan Africa. This article investigated the association between IPPA and social status of women in Zambia. Data comprising 3,969 currently partnered women were retrieved from the 2001 Zambian Demographic and Health Survey and analyzed using chi-square test and logistic regression. IPPA augmented with low education, income-generating activity, access to information, autonomy over household health issues, and having tolerant attitudes toward IPPA. Tolerant attitude toward IPPA and illiteracy were independent risk factors for IPPA. Educational interventions are recommended to prevent IPPA in Zambia. Keywords: women; intimate partner; physical abuse; social status; DHS surveys; Zambia DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.25.2.278

Legal redress can play a critical role in interrupting the pattern of domination and control inherent in intimate partner violence (IPV), yet it remains an infrequent strategy among battered women. The current study employed a contextual framework for investigating the correlates for engagement in the criminal justice system for a sample of 227 sheltered battered women. Results indicated that individual, relational, and system-level factors were all associated with two legal help-seeking behaviors: having a civil protection order and criminal prosecution. In particular, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptomatology, social support, and prior experience with police officers were significant correlates for legal help-seeking. Results highlight the need for a coordinated community response to IPV, addressing both legal needs and psychological needs simultaneously. Keywords: intimate partner violence; criminal justice system; PTSD DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.24.6.771

While literature on elder abuse has expanded, elder abuse by intimate partners has been less investigated. Even less is known about intimate partner violence among older Koreans living in North America. This article identifies important cultural considerations for individuals helping the Korean older adult community, beginning with the definition of intimate partner violence in this community and barriers to leaving that include traditional views of the East Asian self. Current practice interventions are discussed and recommendations for future practice such as healing ban, the accumulated suffering from years of abuse, are suggested. The ultimate goal of this paper is to expand awareness in order to develop the best culturally competent prevention and intervention practice for Korean older intimate partner violence survivors in North America. KEYWORDS elder abuse, domestic violence, intimate partner violence, older battered women, Korean immigrants

Providing an adequate and effective community response to women age 50 and older who experience domestic violence is complicated by the oftentimes disparate goals and expectations of service providers, emergency responders, and victims themselves. This article shares information provided by participants of focus groups designed to understand and identify what women age 50 and older want and need .from agencies that provide services to enhance victim safety. KEYWORDS domestic violence, focus groups, older women

The role played by the Cheshire Domestic Abuse Partnership in the UK in combating violence against women is discussed. The main objective of the project is to increase women's safety and empowerment of women and children, which is carried out in direct and practical ways.

During in-depth, individual interviews, seventeen battered women involved in the public child welfare system discussed the effects of domestic violence on their children, and their strategies for protecting and supporting [...]

The application of cognitive-behavioral strategies to engaging men and boys in violence prevention within a profeminist framework is examined, also discussing three basic components of a cognitive-behavioral therapy approach, namely, goal setting, core beliefs and strategies for change. These promising initiatives suggest that recognizing the role of public action in the transformation of personal ideas and core beliefs provides a strong rationale for encouraging well-meaning men to get involved.

Cet article decrit les tentatives d'un groupe de militantes feministes qui ont tente en vain d'utiliser les roots 'violence faite aux femmes' dans leur bulletin mensuel plutot que << Violence [...]

A study examines whether employment prevents domestic violence against women and their recourse to divorce when abused.

Domestic violence advocacy is a culture unto itself. The themes it addresses, in combination with the dominant frames of discourse (Fairclough, 1989) used in the daily conversations of advocates and their supporters, contribute to the stagnation of domestic violence advocacy as a profession and stunt its ability to address the non-homogenous, culturally diverse group of men, women and children living under the tyranny of violence within their homes. Social and political ties to funding institutions and government agencies reify existing concepts about domestic violence education and allow little opportunity for improvement. This article details the methodology and findings of a qualitative, ethnographic research project conducted at an undisclosed domestic violence agency. Qualitative results were analyzed using methods of grounded theory, discourse analysis and narrative analysis. Results revealed four major discourse themes that contribute to the current culture of domestic violence advocacy: (1) systemic contributions to the normalization of crisis, (2) cultural contradictions between paradigms and practice of domestic violence advocacy, (3) ambiguity over the line between childhood and adulthood and (4) assumptions about 'victimhood.' KEYWORDS. Domestic violence, advocacy, culture, qualitative, discourse analysis, crisis, victim

African American families have experienced principles offered by African-centered social work to develop a culturally competent response to domestic violence. In addition to examining principles of American-centered paradigm, the application used to domestic violence is presented.

Objectives. Exposure to violence, particularly domestic violence (DV), negatively affects children&apos;s physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being, The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends routine DV screening of female caretakers of pediatric patients. Few reports of screening in pediatric practices exist, and none have reported outcomes from a resident-run urban academic center. We set out to determine whether the use of the Partner Violence Screen (PVS) increases detection of DV and to test the mechanics of implementing large-scale DV screening in a busy, pediatric residency training clinic. Methods. Using the PVS, we screened a sample of consecutive female caretakers/guardians of children seen for pediatric care in the general pediatric clinic of Children&apos;s Hospital of Michigan from March 1, 2002, through February 28, 2003. Positive screens obtained during the study period were compared with the number of DV referrals received by the clinic social workers from January 1, 2001, through December 31, 2001, before PVS screening began. To test the mechanics of screening, we also analyzed the number of forms returned blank or marked "no opportunity to screen" in the last 8 months of the study period. Results. In the 12 months before use of the PVS, our social work department received 9 referrals because of DV from the general pediatric clinic, among a total of 5446 caretakers/guardians bringing 6380 children for a total of 13 576 patient care visits. In contrast, the social work department received 164 referrals because of positive screening results among 5445 caretakers/guardians bringing 7429 children for 17 346 patient care visits in the 12-month study period after introduction of the PVS. Fourteen of 164 positive PVSs were found to involve nondomestic violence perpetrated by nonpartners or violence with the patient as the victim, not the mother or female caretaker. A total of 150 PVSs involved true DV. The difference in identification of DV with the PVS, compared with the rate before its introduction, was highly significant. The positive predictive value for the PVS was 91.5%, and the identified prevalence rate was 3.7%. In the last 8 months of the study period, 6301 of 8055 PVS forms (78%) were completed; 1754 of 8055 PVS forms (22%) were left blank, but it was not possible to determine whether these represented duplicate screening forms for instances in which the mother or female caretaker had brought >1 child for care. Conclusions. Formal screening for DV with the PVS in this study setting of a busy, urban, academic, general pediatric clinic appeared to be very successful, in terms of increasing referrals and documentation of previously unrecognized DV situations. This increase signals the need for resources (time and/or social work services) to provide appropriate referral services. The PVS identifies nonpartner violence occasionally. Pediatrics 2004;114: 1253-1257; domestic violence, intimate partner violence, screening, pediatric, outpatient clinic., ABBREVIATIONS. DV, domestic violence; PVS, Partner Violence Screen. Exposure to violence has a negative impact on children's physical, emotional, and cognitive well-being. (1) Domestic violence (DV) exposure has been shown [...]

Results of a study to evaluate the efficacy of an advocacy intervention on improving the mental health of Chinese women survivors of intimate partner violence have revealed that such interventions did not result in a meaningful improvement in depression in the case of such women. The need is for future research to set realistic clinical goals, collect, interpret, and analyze data as dispassionately as one can.

Despite our natural, gut-level response to the thoughts of such violence and the horror for the children involved, our systems are designed to serve adult victims of domestic violence. The […]

Development of national plan to reduce violence against women In late April 2009, the Australian Government released the report, Time for Action, prepared by the National Council to Reduce Violence [...]

Argument on gender issues with respect to women's domestic violence, security, race etc. are discussed. Developing women's organization to control such issues are also studied.