Screening for IPV in Formal and Informal Settings

Overview Within the last 20 years, gender-based violence (GBV) has gained increased attention globally. GBV is defined as types of violence that primarily women/girls experience, including physical violence (e.g., hitting, punching, kicked, slapped, choked, hurt with a weapon, or otherwise physically hurt), sexual violence (e.g. unprotected forced sex, coercive behaviors, including sexual slavery and coerced abortion), and psychological harm (e.g. controlling behaviors, stalking, threats of violence). These acts of violence are perpetrated by members of women/girl’s family, acquaintances, and/or strangers in the home, community and/or during armed conflict. Globally, an estimated 35% of women experience physical and/or sexual violence in their lifetime, including partner and non-partner violence.(Bott, Guedes, Goodwin, & Mendoza, 2012; WHO, 2013) Refugees fleeing conflicts and natural disasters are vulnerable to sexual violence; a recent systematic review and meta-analysis generated a pooled estimate of 21.4% (95%CI: 14.9 – 29.7%) sexual violence prevalence based on 19 studies meeting eligibility criteria and totaling 8,398 participants.(Vu et al., 2013) Global efforts often focus on GBV in recognition of the range of likely perpetrators; within the US, intimate partners are the dominant perpetrators of GBV,(Black, 2011) hence the domestic focus on IPV. Nationally an estimated one in three women experience IPV, i.e., physical or sexual violence by a current or former spouse or boyfriend, with youth and young adult women at highest risk. (Black, 2011) Gender differences persist in the nature and impact of IPV. Nationally, physical IPV prevalence is comparable for women (33%) and men (28%);(Black, 2011) however, women experience significantly more sexual IPV (9% vs. too small to report among men),(Black, 2011) more IPV with resulting fear, injury, or other health or social issues (29% vs. 10%),(Black, 2011) and IPV homicide.(Cooper & Smith, 2011; Stockl et al., 2013) There is substantial evidence indicating under-reporting of GBV both globally(Tia Palermo, Bleck, & Peterman, 2013) as well as in diverse humanitarian settings where women and girls can be particularly vulnerable.(T. Palermo & Peterman, 2011; Wirtz et al., 2013) To date, prevention and response efforts continue to be insufficient to make a significant difference in the lives of survivors and their families

The Evolution of Same-Sex Marriage in Canada: Lessons the U.S. Can Learn from Their Northern Neighbor Regarding Same-Sex Marriage Rights

The broad differences between the United States and Canadian cases raise important questions about the social, political and legal factors that have promoted the extension of marriage rights in Canada while retarding similar efforts in the U.S. This article will compare the recent history of same-sex marriage laws in the United States and Canada. We argue that proponents of same-sex marriage as well as lawmakers could learn important lessons from the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada. Section II develops a framework for comparing the U.S. and Canadian experience with same-sex marriage law. The next section traces Canada\u27s recent history of marriage law amendments. Section IV provides a parallel legal history of same-sex marriage rights in the U.S., including the recent introduction of the Marriage Protection Act (MPA). Section V systematically compares the two cases to illuminate those factors that have supported the extension of same-sex marriage rights in Canada and hindered the extension of equivalent rights in the United States. The article concludes that the Canadian experience presents several important lessons the U.S. could learn in order to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples and therefore uphold the Constitutional right to equal protection

The Evolution of Same-Sex Marriage in Canada: Lessons the U.S. Can Learn from Their Northern Neighbor Regarding Same-Sex Marriage Rights

The broad differences between the United States and Canadian cases raise important questions about the social, political and legal factors that have promoted the extension of marriage rights in Canada while retarding similar efforts in the U.S. This article will compare the recent history of same-sex marriage laws in the United States and Canada. We argue that proponents of same-sex marriage as well as lawmakers could learn important lessons from the recent legalization of same-sex marriage in Canada. Section II develops a framework for comparing the U.S. and Canadian experience with same-sex marriage law. The next section traces Canada\u27s recent history of marriage law amendments. Section IV provides a parallel legal history of same-sex marriage rights in the U.S., including the recent introduction of the Marriage Protection Act (MPA). Section V systematically compares the two cases to illuminate those factors that have supported the extension of same-sex marriage rights in Canada and hindered the extension of equivalent rights in the United States. The article concludes that the Canadian experience presents several important lessons the U.S. could learn in order to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples and therefore uphold the Constitutional right to equal protection

Research and Action on Intimate Partner Violence: Interdisciplinary Convergence of Cultural Community Psychology and Cross-Cultural Psychology

An analysis of the respective organizational histories, missions, and scholarly activity of the International Association for Cross-cultural Psychology (IACCP) and the Society for Community Research and Action (SCRA) indicates many points of shared values and actions, as well as some important differences. Both scholarly organizations developed out of a similar historical and cultural zeitgeist in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Our missions emphasize the role of culture/diversity in psychological phenomena, adopting an interdisciplinary orientation, the value of collaboration, the importance of research methods and ethics, and the value of action research. However, community psychology generally lacks an adequate treatment of cultural phenomena, while cross-cultural psychology often fails to draw on community and participatory methods useful for understanding culture in context. In this chapter, we examine these common roots and differences and then briefly present a study1 of intimate partner violence (IPV) in a community of Latinos in the United States that illustrates the benefits of an interdisciplinary, cultural community psychology. Finally, we propose several actions to develop further an interdisciplinary collaboration between the two fields

Collaboration between Canadian Grantmaking Foundations: The Expression of an Increasingly Ambitious and Strategic Philanthropic Sector?

This article critically discusses the practice of foundation collaboration in Canada and describes the context, vehicles, and forms that it takes. It is based on data from interviews with 23 key informants and a literature review of over 100 publications from grey and scholarly literature. Over the last decade, Canadian grantmaking foundations appear to be working together more often, motivated by goals of information sharing, coordination, impact, and risk mitigation. In Canada, as elsewhere, this growing practice is closely related to the trend toward strategic philanthropy, in which foundations position themselves as agents of change. The article raises cautions and criticisms about foundation collaboration, related to considerations of strategic and cultural fit as well as to existing challenges concerning philanthropy’s power and legitimacy in society.L’article propose de faire un examen critique des pratiques de collaboration entre fondations subventionnaires au Canada, qui représentent un domaine jusqu’ici peu exploré dans la recherche scientifique. À partir d’entretiens avec 23 informateurs clés et une recension d’écrits scientifiques et non scientifiques, l’article décrit le contexte, les chemins d’émergence et les formes que prennent ces pratiques de collaboration. Au cours de la dernière décennie, les pratiques de collaboration entre fondations subventionnaires semblent afficher une progression au Canada. Des fondations participantes indiquent être motivées par le désir de soutenir le développement des connaissances, de mieux coordonner leurs efforts, d’accroitre l’efficacité ou l’impact de leurs interventions et d’en atténuer les risques. Au Canada comme ailleurs, le développement des pratiques de collaboration entre fondations est lié à l’influence du courant de la philanthropie « stratégique » qui incite les fondations à assumer une posture plus affirmée d’agent de changement. L’article partage également des réflexions critiques au sujet de ces pratiques. Entre autres, il arrive que les organisations participantes doivent composer avec des défis de compatibilité culturelle et stratégique. De plus, ces pratiques se confrontent à des débats existants concernant le pouvoir exercé par les fondations philanthropiques et leur légitimité en tant qu’acteurs sociaux

Knowledge, Awareness, Perceptions, and Use of Emergency Contraceptives among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

The study examines emergency contraception (EC) knowledge, awareness, perceptions, and prior use and identifies predictors of EC use among a sample of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). The majority (66.2%) of 154 survivors at risk of pregnancy reported EC awareness, only 15.3% reported prior EC use. Logistic regression identified perceived abusive intimate partner approval (OR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.15–4.41) and lack of moral/religious objections (OR = 12.83; 95% CI = 5.48–30.03) as the strongest predictors of EC use. Health care provider interventions acknowledging barriers to EC use, such as partner approval, and education that improves awareness of and knowledge about EC, may have the impact of empowering survivors in their reproductive choices, reducing unwanted pregnancies

Employers\u27 Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence among a Diverse Workforce

Objectives Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant global public health concern, affecting 5.3 million US individuals annually. An estimated 1 in 3 women globally are abused by an intimate partner in their lifetime, and the effects carry over into the workplace. This article examines employers\u27 perceptions of IPV in the workplace, targeting supervisors of Latina employees. Methods Fourteen employers and supervisors of small service-sector companies in Oregon were interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Interpretive description was used to identify themes. These qualitative interviews preceded and helped to formulate a larger workplace intervention study. Results The following themes were found and are detailed: (1) factors associated with recognizing IPV in the workplace, (2) effects of IPV on the work environment and (3) supervisors\u27 responses to IPV-active vs. passive involvement. Also, supervisors\u27 suggestions for addressing IPV in the workplace are summarized. Conclusion These findings demonstrate the need for more IPV-related resources in the workplace to be available to supervisors as well as survivors and their coworkers. The needs of supervisors and workplaces vary by site, demonstrating the need for tailored interventions, and culturally appropriate workplace interventions are needed for Latinas and other racially and ethnically diverse populations

A Congolese community-based health program for survivors of sexual violence

Many survivors of gender based violence (GBV) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) report barriers to access health services including, distance, cost, lack of trained providers and fear of stigma. In 2004, Foundation RamaLevina (FORAL), a Congolese health and social non-governmental organization, started a mobile health program for vulnerable women and men to address the barriers to access identified by GBV survivors and their families in rural South Kivu province, Eastern DRC. FORAL conducted a case study of the implementation of this program between July 2010-June 2011 in 6 rural villages. The case study engaged FORAL staff, partner health care providers, community leaders and survivors in developing and implementing a revised strategy with the goal of improving and sustaining health services. The case study focused on: (1) Expansion of mobile clinic services and visit schedule; (2) Clinical monitoring and evaluation system; and (3) Recognition, documentation and brief psychosocial support for symptoms suggestive of anxiety, depression and PTSD. During this period, FORAL treated 772 women of which 85% reported being survivors of sexual violence. Almost half of the women (45%) reported never receiving health services after the last sexual assault. The majority of survivors reported symptoms consistent with STI. Male partner adherence to STI treatment was low (41%). The case study demonstrated areas of strengths in FORAL’s program, including improved access to health care by survivors and their male partner, enhanced quality of health education and facilitated regular monitoring, follow-up care and referrals. In addition, three critical areas were identified by FORAL that needed further development: provision of health services to young, unmarried women in a way that reduces possibility of future stigma, engaging male partners in health education and clinical care and strengthening linkages for referral of survivors and their partners to psychosocial support and mental health services. FORAL’s model of offering health education to all community members, partnering with local providers to leverage resources and their principal of avoiding labeling the clinic as one for survivors will help women and their families in the DRC and other conflict settings to comfortably and safely access needed health care services

Celebrating 40 Years of the Midwest Nursing Research Society

The Midwest Nursing Research Society (MNRS) recently held its 40th annual conference and celebrated four decades of nursing research in the Midwest. MNRS continues to be one of the largest nursing research societies in the United States. Over the years, a vast majority of programmatic initiatives included education and tangible support for novice and experienced nurse researchers. In this article, the background for development of MNRS is reviewed with examination of driving forces that led to its creation. Three past presidents, Dr. Joyce Fitzpatrick, the first President of MNRS (1980- 1981); Dr. Nancy Bergstrom, the eighth President (1993-1995); and Dr. Sally Lusk, the 14th President (2005-2007), discuss challenges, opportunities, and the exceptional progress made toward fostering excellence in nursing research for the Midwest and contributing to nursing science on a national and global scale. Lessons from the past as well as opportunities for the future are addressed