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Limited research has examined the symptom sequelae of head injuries in women survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV), despite this community being at increased risk for neurotrauma due to partner abuse. The current study compared post-concussion symptom severity between women with and without IPV-related head injuries. Women were recruited from court jurisdictions in Kentucky, USA, after receiving a protective order for partner abuse. The sample included 268 women with no prior head injuries (age: M[standard deviation (SD)] = 31.8[9.8], 77.2% White) and 251 women with lifetime IPV-related head injuries (age: M[SD] = 31.8[9.8], 88.0% White). Women with IPV-related head injuries were slightly older (t = 2.46, p = 0.014) with lower education (χ2 = 5.81, p = 0.016), were more frequently unemployed (χ2 = 9.23, p = 0.002), and had a higher likelihood of residing in a rural setting (χ2 = 30.16, p < 0.001). Women with IPV-related head injuries were also more often White (χ2 = 10.47, p = 0.001), but this group difference was almost entirely related to rural versus urban residence. Women with IPV-related head injuries reported a higher severity of lifetime physical IPV (t = 7.27, p < 0.001, d = 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [.46,.82]) and sexual IPV (t = 4.65, p < 0.001, d = 0.41 [0.24, 0.59]). A three-factor model of post-concussion symptoms, inclusive of cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms, fit well (χ2 = 368.99, p < 0.0001, comparative fit index [CFI] = 0.974, Tucker-Lewis index [TLI] = 0.968, root mean square error of approximation [RMSEA] = 0.079 [0.071, 0.087]), and showed evidence for strong measurement invariance across women with and without IPV-related head injuries. The subscale and total scores each had acceptable reliability: cognitive (ω = 0.88 [0.86, 0.90]), physical (ω = 0.74 [0.70, 0.77]), and emotional (ω = 0.88 [0.86, 0.89]), and total score (ω = 0.93 [0.92, 0.95]). Women with IPV-related head injuries reported all individual post-concussion symptoms at a significantly higher frequency, with medium group differences in cognitive (t = 7.57, p < 0.001, d = 0.67 [0.50, 0.85]) and physical symptoms (t = 7.73, p < 0.001, d = 0.68 [0.51, 0.86]) and large group differences in emotional (t = 8.51, p < 0.001, d = 0.75 [0.57, 0.93]) and total symptoms (t = 9.07, p < 0.001, d = 0.80 [0.62, 0.98]). All sociodemographic characteristics were independently associated with post-concussion symptoms, as were physical IPV (total score: r = 0.28 [0.19, 0.35], p < 0.001) and sexual IPV severity (total score: r = 0.22 [0.13, 0.30], p < 0.001). In hierarchical regression analyses, controlling for sociodemographic characteristics (i.e., age, race/ethnicity, education, unemployment, and rural/urban residence) and physical and sexual IPV severity, IPV-related head injury was independently significant and accounted for significant additional variance when predicting cognitive (ΔR2 = 0.05, p < 0.001), physical (ΔR2 = 0.03, p < 0.001), emotional (ΔR2 = 0.07, p < 0.001), and total symptoms (ΔR2 = 0.06, p < 0.001). Negative-binomial regression resulted in similar findings. This study demonstrates that multiple sociodemographic and IPV history variables are related to post-concussion symptom severity, but IPV-related head injury was independently associated with greater symptom severity. Women with IPV-related head injuries may be at increased risk for unaddressed health problems spanning cognitive, physical, and emotional domains. Future research is needed to psychometrically evaluate assessment instruments for this population and to assess efficacy of interventions to address their unique health care needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study surveyed a national sample of victim service professionals (N = 222) and compared rural versus urban/suburban participants' perceptions of a variety of issues, such as the impact of the pandemic on gender-based violence victimization and safety advice for isolated victims. Increased interference with victim employment and the abuser monitoring of online activities were reported by participants across all communities. However, urban/suburban participants rated the magnitude of all victim challenges as greater, while more rural participants noted child abuse as a particular problem in their communities. The results highlight the importance of community context for improving coordinated responses to gender-based violence (n = 101). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined stalking prevalence, patterns, and harm among 210 women with civil protective orders (PO) against violent male partners or ex-partners. Results suggest that stalking is associated with PO violations and almost every other type of partner violence. Also. women who have been stalked by violent partners report significantly more distress and harm than even women who experience PO violations but not stalking. Results of key informant perceptions suggest many victim service (n = 116) and criminal justice professionals (n = 72) do not seem to understand the extent or gravity of the harms caused by partner stalking especially, when contrasted with victim reports of harm. Furthermore, key informant reports of their advice to women being stalked by an ex-partner were not consistent with recommendations for stalking victims in general Keywords: partner violence: partner stalking; coercive control: abuse; domestic violence: stalking DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.25.4.440

Many victims, victim advocates, and even law enforcement believe that protective orders are 'just a piece of paper,' suggesting that they do not work or are not effective. This study examined protective order effectiveness by following 210 women for 6 months after obtaining a protective order. There are four main themes that were identified from the study results. First, protective orders were not violated for half of the women in the sample during the 6-month follow-up period. Second, even among those who experienced violations, there were significant reductions in abuse and violence. Third, overall, women were less fearful of future harm from the PO partner at the 6-month follow-up, and a vast majority felt the protective order was fairly or extremely effective. Fourth, stalking emerges as a significant risk factor for protective order violations, sustained fear, and lower perceived effectiveness of the protective order. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. Keywords: partner violence; stalking protective orders; protection order; domestic violence DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.25.3.332

K-means clustering techniques were used to identify four cluster profiles characterized by unique patterns of victimization and psychological distress and further differentiated by distinct patterns of risk and protection across multiple life domains among a sample of 149 crack-using women. Results of this study suggest that important differences exist in patterns of victimization and psychological distress among drug-involved women. Identification of this variation can be used to tailor intervention strategies to the particular needs of different subgroups within the population of crack-using women. Keywords: cluster profiles; women; lifetime victimization; psychological distress; crack cocaine DOI: 10.1891/0886-6708.25.1.62

This study examined protective order (PO) outcomes for a period of 12 months for 698 women from multiple jurisdictions. Overall, results indicate that 2 out of 5 women did not experience violence after the PO was issued; however, 3 out of 5 women did experience ongoing violence. Two key risk factors were associated with PO violations and are examined. Further, only 9% of women dropped the order, and the vast majority of women perceived the PO was effective and that they felt safe. Results from this study suggest that POs are an important avenue for women's safety. However, results also suggest that PO effectiveness can be increased by attending to specific risk factors, crafting POs to meet individual needs, and by appropriate enforcement. Keywords: domestic violence; stalking; separation; protective orders; criminal justice outcomes

Previous research indicates that many individuals who perceive themselves to be at no risk of HIV have recently engaged in risky sexual behaviors (Klein et al., 2003; Schroder et al., 2001). Because HIV risk has been associated with partner violence (Maman et al., 2000), it is important to examine self-perceived risk and actual sexual risk behaviors among partner violence victims. Findings are from a study of adult women (N = 569) who were recruited from courts after they had obtained a protective order against a male intimate partner. Two groups were developed on the basis of self-reported perceptions of risk of HIV at the time of the interview (n = 341, no chance; n = 228, some to high chance). Three main findings from this study are discussed: (1) The number of sexual partners and illicit drug use were associated with women's self-perceived risk of HIV; (2) sexual behaviors within the relationship with the abusive partner were not associated with self-perceived risk; and (3) severity of physical violence and frequency of threatened or forced sex in the abusive relationship were not associated with self-perceived risk of HIV. Implications for social work practice are discussed. KEY WORDS: abusive partner; domestic violence; heterosexual; risky sexual behavior, The rate of AIDS diagnoses for women has been increasing at a greater rate than for men (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2005). Specifically, from 2000 to 2004 [...]

This article is one of the first to extensively compare characteristics of women who do and do not report stalking by a violent partner or ex-partner using a large sample of women with civil protective orders. Specifically, the purpose of this study was to examine similarities and differences in relationship and victimization history characteristics, mental health symptoms, help-seeking, and protective order violations for women who report being stalked in the past year (n = 345) by the partner they received a protective order against compared to women who received a protective order against a violent partner but who report no stalking by that partner ever in the relationship (n = 412). Results indicate that women who report partner stalking have more severe partner violence victimization, histories, increased distress, greater fear, and more protective order violations, suggesting that partner stalking victimization warrants more research and practice attention. Keywords: stalking; intimate partner violence; abuse; mental health; protective orders

The goals of this article are to examine stalking victimization over time among a large sample (n = 662) of women who received a protective order against a violent partner and to examine the impact of stalking on mental health and protective order outcomes. Findings suggest that stalking is a significant risk factor for other forms of partner violence (e.g., psychological, physical, and sexual violence) and that the experience of being stalked by a violent partner contributes uniquely to women's perceptions of psychological distress, personal safety, and perceptions of protective order effectiveness. Both the criminal justice system and victim service representatives need to be vigilant in educating women about the increased risk of stalking to their safety and mental health. Further, study findings suggest that stalking must be addressed to prevent future physical and psychological harm in partner violence cases. Keywords: partner stalking; stalking persistence; postprotective order violence

Partner violence may have significant consequences on women's employment, yet limited information is available about how women cope on the job with perpetrators' tactics and the consequences of her coping methods on employment status. This article investigates whether there is an association between workplace disclosure of victimization and current employment status; and whether there is an association between receiving workplace support and current employment status among women who disclosed victimization circumstances to someone at work. Using a sample of partner victimized women who were employed within the past year (N = 485), cross-tabulation and ANOVA procedures were conducted to examine the differences between currently employed and unemployed women. Binary logistic regressions were conducted to examine whether disclosure and receiving workplace support were significantly associated with current employment. Results indicate that disclosure and workplace support are associated with employment. Implications for clinical practice, workplace policies, and future research are discussed. Keywords: partner violence and employment: partner violence and work; workplace violence

In general research suggests partner violence has a negative impact on women's employment. However, there has been limited examination of partner stalking and consequences for employment. The purpose of this study was to examine partner stalking and employment consequences among two samples of women. One sample was women who had obtained a protective order against a violent partner and had worked in the prior year (n = 482), about one half of these women were stalked by their violent partner and one half were not. The second study examined qualitative information from women recently stalked (n = 62) by a violent partner. Results from both studies suggest that women who were stalked by a violent partner were significantly more susceptible to on-the-job harassment and problems. Also, women reported that stalking by a partner interfered in their work through on-the-job harassment, work disruption, and job performance problems. Implications for policy and research are discussed. Keywords: partner stalking; women's employment

Although partner sexual abuse is clearly an important dimension of partner violence, it has received less research attention than partner physical and psychological abuse. This article contributes to the literature by examining similarities and differences in coercive and degrading sexual tactics experienced by women who do (n = 31) and women who do not (n = 31) report forced sex using quantitative and qualitative data. The women in the sample had all been recently (within the past 6 months) stalked by a violent intimate partner. Results suggest that both women who do and women who do not report forced sex experience various coercive and degrading tactics within the context of sexual activity. Results also suggest that multiple sexual abuse dimensions should be considered within the context of partner psychological abuse, physical abuse, and stalking and that more research on understanding the outcomes associated with dimensions of sexual abuse within the context of physical and psychological abuse is needed. Keywords: sexual assault; partner violence; women's health; sexual coercion

Intimate partner violence is a significant health problem for women, with consequences extending to work as well as society at large. This article describes workplace interference tactics, how women cope with violence at work, and workplace supports for a sample of recently employed women with domestic violence orders (DVO; n = 518). Results indicate that violent partners used a wide range of work interference tactics, that women were more likely to tell someone at work about the victimization than they were to hide the information, and that coworkers and supervisors provided a range of supports to women who did disclose their situation. Implications for further research and practice are discussed. Keywords: partner violence; work stress; workplace violence; workplace supports; coping on the job

Police attitudes are important in facilitating a sense of safety and comfort in women seeking justice-system support for protection from partner violence. This study examined police attitudes toward sanctions and treatment for domestic violence offenders compared with other violent and nonviolent offenders. In addition, police attitudes toward domestic violence offenders who do and do not use substances were examined. Officers from one city police department (n = 315) participated in a survey. Results indicate there is a trend toward attitudes that treatment, rather than sanctions, was more appropriate for domestic violence offenders. In addition, officers rated the use of sanctions higher for domestic violence offenders who abuse alcohol or drugs compared with domestic violence offenders who did not abuse alcohol or drugs. Understanding police attitudes toward domestic violence offenders may have implications for police training and victim services in facilitating the use of the justice system in protecting women from partner violence. Keywords: domestic violence offenders; police attitudes; justice system; victim safety

Women experiencing intimate partner violence may use a variety of help-seeking resources and coping strategies. The purpose of this study was to examine rural (n = 378) and urban (n = 379) women's help seeking, coping, and perceptions of the helpfulness of resources used in dealing with partner violence. Overall, results suggest that women from both areas utilized a variety of help-seeking resources and coping strategies in significantly different ways. Urban women used more help-seeking resources than rural women. Urban and rural women used different types of resources. Rural women perceived the justice system services as less helpful than urban women. Coping strategies and help seeking are related, with problem-focused coping associated with the use of more formalized help-seeking resources. Implications for research and practice are discussed. Keywords: partner violence; resource use; coping; perceptions of help

Research suggests that partner stalking is associated with reassault and lethality as well as increased psychological distress for victims. However, there is a significant gap in information about stalking interventions and the responses of health, mental health, law enforcement, social services, and criminal justice professionals to women experiencing partner stalking. The purpose of this study is to examine the ideas about appropriate and effective responses to stalking victims from professionals in victim services and the justice system. The study also examined differences among rural and urban representatives because prior studies have shown significant differences between rural and urban areas on experiences and responses to partner violence. A total of 152 key informants (38 urban and 114 rural) were interviewed. Study results suggest a need for more training for victim services and justice system professionals on stalking and service needs of women who experience stalking in the context of partner violence. Keywords: stalking: violence against women; criminal justice and stalking; domestic violence

Intimate sexual violence was examined among a sample of women who had recently obtained protective orders against male partners using three groups: no sexual victimization (n = 368), sexual insistence (n = 114), and threatened and/or forced sex (n = 117). Differences in childhood sexual abuse as well as types of partner psychological abuse, stalking, and severe physical violence experiences were found across the groups. Multivariate analysis showed that women with no sexual victimization had significantly fewer mental health problems than women who had experienced sexual insistence and women who had been threatened or forced to have sex. Findings from this study underscore the importance of health, mental health, and criminal justice professionals assessing for a range of sexually abusive acts when working with victims of partner violence. Keywords: partner violence; sexual coercion; sexual abuse; sexual assault

A significant proportion of survivors of rape do not utilize formal services to cope with the aftermath of rape. Understanding victimization experiences in environments that differ on resources, such as rural versus urban areas, may be an important dimension to consider in understanding barriers. Thirty women (18 rural and 12 urban) were recruited from rape crisis centers to participate in focus groups. Study results suggest that (a) survivors of rape experience many barriers to service utilization, (b) there were some differences in barriers to service utilization that were mentioned only in rural areas and some that were mentioned only in urban areas that may suggest that community context is important to consider in understanding barriers to service use, and (c) barriers to health and mental health services overlap with barriers to criminal justice system services. Keywords: barriers; rural; women; rape survivors

The counties in the state of Kentucky are examined to determine the need and feasibility for a Drug Court treatment program. The authors, assessing 107 counties, conclude 12 require further assessment, 4 were ready to implement a drug program, and half the counties have adequate community resources, whereas the other half have limited resources for a drug program.

Research into the connection between testosterone levels, carbon monoxide levels, current and adolescent nicotine use, and histories of pubertal onset in 30 young women smokers is presented. It is concluded that testosterone levels are connected with nicotine use in adult females.

Research presented concerns the effectiveness of prison-based drug and alcohol treatment programs, and how these programs are developed, planned, implemented, changed, and terminated. Findings suggest that these treatment programs are effective for prisoners who are committed to changing their behavior.

Stalking is discussed as a form of intimate violence. Topics include stalking prevalence, the role of alcohol use, victimization experiences, and perpetration.

Crack users are a critical group on which to focus, given their potential for both violence and HIV risk behavior. However, tittle is known about specific interpersonal acts of violence perpetrated by male and female crack users or the association of HIV risk behavior with interpersonal violence among male and female crack users. The purpose of this paper is to examine drug use and HIV risk behavior among three groups of crack users (those reporting no violence, those reporting a moderate rate of interpersonal violence, and those reporting a high rate of interpersonal violence) and to examine gender differences among crack users who are and are not involved in violence. Results indicate that violence is associated with higher HIV risk behavior and that there were no gender by violence group differences.

The present study examined the impact of Project DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education), a widespread drug-prevention program, 10 years after administration. A total of 1,002 individuals who in 6th grade had either received DARE or a standard drug-education curriculum, were reevaluated at age 20. Few differences were found between the 2 groups in terms of actual drug use, drug attitudes, or self-esteem, and in no case did the DARE group have a more successful outcome than the comparison group. Possible reasons why DARE remains so popular, despite the lack of documented efficacy, are offered.

This article reviews the recent literature on health services use by drug abusers. A revised Andersen-Newman model is posited as a theoretical orientation for health service initiatives focused on drug abuse. The model highlights specific predisposing factors, historical health factors, current illness factors, and enabling/mediating factors associated with drug abuse. The limited number of cost-effectiveness studies have demonstrated that publicly funded drug treatment can produce savings by reducing selected health care costs and decreasing crime. However, short-term costs related to drug abuse can be greater to realize than long-term savings. The criminal justice system can serve as a point of contact and provides a concentrated reservoir of drug users. However, drug-abusing offenders are more likely to present a variety of health problems including hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. From a managed care and health services use perspective, drug abuse treatment in the criminal justice system should minimize long-term health care- and crime-related costs., Bringing drug treatment services into the mainstream of health services and targeting drug abusers have been priorities of the National Drug Strategy (Office of the National Drug Control Policy [ONDCP], [...]

Malley-Morrison, Kathleen and Denise Hines. FAMILY VIOLENCE IN A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE: DEFINING, UNDERSTANDING, AND COMBATING ABUSE. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE, 2004. The consideration of context, especially cultural context, in family […]

The severity of partner violence on women's mental health and help seeking as well as perceptions of safety and protective-order effectiveness was examined considering three groups based on partner violence victimization. Results suggest that stalking has a unique impact on victims' and perceived safety, and that protection given by protective orders might not be adequate for women experiencing stalking.

The protective order process, barriers and outcomes are examined by combining qualitative and quantitative research in rural and urban areas. The results indicate that the process of obtaining protective orders varies depending on community context and differences exist in victimization of experiences protective order stipulations, violations, and perceived effectiveness among rural and urban women.