Search

Purpose In 2020 the England and Wales Office for National Statistics commissioned the research reported here to review the current questions on domestic abuse in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW) and to establish how better data for policy and practice might be produced. The CSEW is a representative population survey that since the early 2000s has provided ongoing measurement of domestic abuse via a dedicated domestic abuse module, with regular publication of headline prevalence and other descriptive data. At the same time the measurement of domestic violence in the CSEW has also been the subject of ongoing debate and critique, in particular whether it is appropriate to use catch-all prevalence measures in the context of policy, practice and commissioning of services. Method The research included analysis of CSEW user survey data (N = 39), focus group and individual interviews with male and female victims/survivors (N = 11), consultation with core stakeholders (N = 18), and consideration of international surveys and recent legislation. Results Current CSEW questions do not capture domestic abuse accurately or reflect lived experience, coercive control needs to be seen at the core of domestic abuse, and while physical assault is an important part of measuring domestic abuse establishing frequency through counting events is probably impossible. Conclusion A fundamental rethink of the current CSEW self-completion module is required, with a wider set of questions about domestic abuse and impact. A revised module should identify and provide estimation of prevalence for different 'abuse profiles' that would complement improved headline measures and better inform policy and practice., Author(s): Marianne Hester [sup.1] , Sarah-Jane Walker [sup.1] , Andy Myhill [sup.2] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.5337.2, 0000 0004 1936 7603, University of Bristol, , Bristol, United Kingdom (2) grid.450668.9, 0000 [...]

This systematic review assessed whether studies on the outcomes of perpetrator programs comply with the model recommendations for outcome evaluation. Three databases (PsycINFO, Medline, and Scopus) were used to identify perpetrator program outcome studies from 1988 to 2021. The inclusion criteria were as follows: empirical studies with no time restriction; published in English or Spanish; evaluated interventions aimed at male perpetrators of any type of abuse toward women; evaluated the effectiveness of the intervention in a follow-up post-intervention; and provided an indicator of recidivism. The search and selection process resulted in 46 original studies. The results showed that studies did not include a thorough description of the study sample. Many approaches to psychological intervention are used, with cognitive behavioral therapy being the most widely used. Most studies did not describe the program content. Dropout rates varied greatly from one study to another (from 0% to 64%) and only eight studies provided dropout rates specified by each type of perpetrator. The follow-up period ranged from 3 months to 9 years. The recidivism rates (ranging from 5% to 72.5%), and their assessments were also very different. Only 12 of the 46 studies (26.1%) used more than one source to obtain recidivism rates. In terms of outcomes, few studies considered (ex-) partner accounts. Some studies had other measures of outcome, whereas a few included a pretest–posttest. In summary, these studies do not follow the recommendations of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous research highlighted that a fundamental rethink of the measurement of domestic abuse was needed in the Crime Survey for England and Wales (CSEW). The research reported here aimed to develop and test new questions on domestic abuse for the CSEW to improve the headline prevalence measure, including frequency of abuse, to develop a way of measuring controlling or coercive behavior within the overall prevalence measure, and to develop a measure of the impact of abuse. The research included focus groups and interviews with victims (n = 27) to assess a set of draft questions and cognitive testing of revised questions with victims and the general public (n = 42). A final set of 24 questions was developed for use with victims of both intimate partner and family abuse, with an additional question for family abuse. The new questions were found to echo victim experiences and were deemed acceptable and reliable measures by victims and the general public for domestic abuse, including controlling and/or coercive behavior and impact. An analytical approach was recommended to improve the headline prevalence measure of domestic abuse by establishing 'high' and 'low' abuse profiles using measures of both behavior and impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a public health and widespread problem, and perpetrator programmes are in a unique position to prevent it. Research on the outcomes of perpetrator programmes has advanced in recent years, but still some challenges remain. These challenges include the absence of measures related to survivor safety and wellbeing as well as the impact on the victim. Additionally, other contextual measures, such as motivation to change or taking responsibility, are typically not included in outcome studies. The Impact Outcome Monitoring Toolkit was developed to help overcome these challenges. The participants were 444 men enrolled in a perpetrator programme and their (ex-)partners (n = 272). The results showed that all types of violence were reduced significantly in terms of both frequency and presence, as reported by both the men enrolled in the programme and their (ex-)partners. The impact of violence had been reduced for (ex-)partners, but some still suffered impacts and felt afraid. The results on the impact of violence on children and improved parenting were quite concerning. The Impact Toolkit makes it possible to measure the outcomes of perpetrator programmes in a contextualised manner and has shown promising results, supporting the inclusion of survivor-centric outcome measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study extends existing scholarship on coercive control within an intimate relationship by exploring how some perpetrators use spiritual abuse as part of their control repertoire and how others harness belief and doctrine to exercise a totalising 'religious coercive control' over their victims. The analysis in this article draws on two multi-faith datasets: secondary data analysis of 27 semi-structured interviews and primary data collected through an online anonymous survey eliciting 24 qualitative responses, supplemented by 4 follow-up interviews with victim-survivors. Thematic analysis demonstrates the experience and longer-term impact of coercive control on victim-survivors and the barriers to help-seeking, including complicity at familial, community and leadership levels. We articulate their recommendations for change within places of worship and the implications for criminal justice practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a PhD thesis by Nicole Ovesen on intimate partner violence (IPV) in lesbian and queer relationships. Ovesen's research focuses on the experiences of IPV, help-seeking processes, and community responses in Sweden. The thesis highlights the importance of understanding the specific Swedish context and its impact on IPV experiences and help-seeking. Ovesen's work uses qualitative interviews with 25 individuals who have experienced IPV, and she analyzes the data thematically. The thesis also draws on relevant literature and theoretical concepts to frame the research. Ovesen concludes by emphasizing the need for improved support services and training for professionals in addressing IPV in LGBT relationships. [Extracted from the article]

Perpetrator programmes have been widely developed in recent years. Despite this, their outcomes remain controversial. The main challenge in evaluating perpetrator programmes is the lack of suitable tools. The "Impact Outcome Monitoring Toolkit" was developed to overcome this challenge. This study analyses the outcomes of a perpetrator programme in Italy. Forty-four participants were included; twenty-two were enrolled in a perpetrator programme, while the remaining twenty-two were their (ex-) partners. Results showed that emotional abusive behaviour was more prevalent than physical and sexual abusive behaviour, especially according to (ex-) partners. Consistency in the men's and (ex-)partners' reporting of physical violence was demonstrated. Psychological abuse was reduced according to both, albeit in different ways. These results suggest that the men's views about their physical abusive behaviour are more reliable than expected. The impact of violence on victims decreased by the end of the programme, although some emotional impact remained. Perpetrator programmes need to pay particular attention to psychological violence and coercive control, as they might remain difficult to detect for the men while still having an impact on the victims/survivors. Victims' safety and well-being increased by the end of the programme. These results are promising in terms of reduction of violent behaviour and suggest further steps for perpetrator programmes to increase victim safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we present the case for those entering/considering same-sex relationships to be included in sex and relationship education in schools. The Government's Guidance on Sex and Relationship Education provides a rationale for including same-sex relationships when it says that schools should meet the needs of all their pupils "whatever their developing sexuality." Research on sex education and domestic violence prevention for schools has highlighted issues of gender, power, the importance of understanding context in providing skills and knowledge for safer sex and non-abusive relationships. However, both tend to assume the context is heterosexuality. Results from our Economic & Social Research Council-funded study of domestic violence in same-sex and heterosexual relationships indicates that those aged under 25 years of age and those in first same-sex relationships are particularly vulnerable to experiencing domestic violence. Four themes arise from the qualitative data that provide a rationale for the provision of sex and relationship education to these young people: first same-sex relationships as an affirmation of identity; and lack of knowledge about what to expect in same-sex relationships; of embeddedness in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer friendship networks; and of resources to seek help. (Contains 2 notes.)