Sibling violence: validating a two-factor model of severity in nonoffender populations

Objective: Despite a recent surge of academic and clinical interest in sibling violence (SV), valid measures of severity have not been psychometrically established using non-offender populations. This study examined the factor-structure of intentional SV severity in a non-forensic sample considered to be not at ‘high-risk’ for violence, using the only existing empirically-driven model of severe SV committed with intent (Khan & Cooke, 2013). The prior model was established in a high-risk for violence, young offender sample (N=111; mean age=14.53) and revealed two underlying factors: ‘SV with weapon use’ and ‘SV without weapon use’. Method: This study examined data from an older, mixed community and student sample (N=899; mean=22.53) to test the factor structure and reliability of the existing severity model. Results: Participants reported a wide range of violent acts against their sibling(s) with aim of injuring them, including weapon use. Using exploratory factor analyses and confirmatory factor analyses, the prior 2-factor model was empirically supported using this non-correctional population. The new model comprised Factor 1 (potentially lethal SV) and Factor 2 (non-life threatening SV). Conclusion: The generalizability of the original 2-factor model, established using an offender sample, was demonstrated in this non-offender sample designated not at ‘high risk’ for violence

Risk Factors for Severe Inter-Sibling Violence: A Preliminary Study of a Youth Forensic Sample

The perpetration of severe inter-sibling violence (SISV) remains a largely unexplored area of family violence. This article describes an investigation of risk factors for intentional SISV perpetration. A sample of 111 young people under the care of the Scottish criminal justice or welfare systems was studied. A SISV perpetration interview schedule was developed to measure the influence of 43 potential predictor variables. The Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire and Levenson's Self-Report Psychopathy Scale were also employed in this exploratory analysis

Attitudes towards ‘honor’ violence and killings in collectivist cultures: Gender differences in Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian (MENASA) and Turkish populations

This chapter reviews recent research on gender differences in attitudes towards ‘honor’ based violence and killings in collectivist cultures. A divergent pattern is emerging from these studies that do not align fully with the established attitudinal research into victim blame attributions for other forms of violence against women. While these more recent studies confirm that females are less approving of violence compared to their male counterparts, it is notable that a proportion of females endorsed the abuse and killing of women in the name of ‘honor’. The chapter concludes by discussing psychosocial explanations for these findings, including sexism and religiosity

[Infographic] Harmful Traditional Practices - Workplace Awareness

Infographic poster supplementary to Harmful Traditional Practices in the Workplace: Guidance for Best Practice 2020

Urgent Response to COVID-19. Harmful Traditional Practices in the Workplace: GUIDANCE FOR BEST PRACTICE.

The first two-weeks of the COVID-19 lockdown saw an alarming global surge in domestic abuse reports. In multiple incidents across the UK, 9 women and children were murdered by a family member. Hidden in these figures are incidents of ‘honour’ abuse and other forms of domestic violence commonly referred to as ‘harmful traditional practices’. We urge organisations across the UK to take clear and direct action to support employees at risk of all forms of domestic harm during the COVID-19 lockdown in a way that is inclusive, and recognises and respects the cultural and ethnic diversity of their workforce. We have published this urgent response to COVID-19 to help organisations safeguard their employees effectively. Our recommendations are practical measures to support employees, working remotely during the coronavirus pandemic, who may be affected by ‘honour’ abuse and other forms of domestic violence

Emotional resilience and event centrality mediate posttraumatic growth following adverse childhood experiences

Research has long established that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to a range of negative psychological consequences, including post-traumatic stress (PTS) symptoms. It is also increasingly recognized that ACEs can serve as a catalyst for positive changes, such as post-traumatic growth (PTG). The mechanisms by which people report negative or positive changes are less well known. This study explored whether emotional resilience and event centrality could determine the degree of negative or positive changes reported following ACEs. Participants (N = 167; 54.5% female; aged 19-95 years) completed an online survey measuring experiences of childhood adversity, resilience, event centrality, PTS symptoms and PTG. Mediation analyses indicated that resilience and event centrality explained PTG only, exerting significant medium negative and small positive indirect effects on PTG, respectively. These findings indicate that following ACEs, the treatment and management of emotional resilience and event centrality could lead to positive effects on psychological well-being

Domestic Abuse Policy Guidance for UK Universities.

This policy guidance was funded by Research England (QR-SPF). Dr Roxanne Khan, Director of HARM, was Research Lead and is author of this report. This report was produced in consultation with a multidisciplinary Expert Advisory Panel internationally renowned for their work to raise awareness of, and to combat domestic abuse in its many forms (see Appendix 1 for full biographies). This evidence-based guidance was written to support university policymakers, enabling them to feel confident, motivated, and empowered to develop competent, pragmatic, and inclusive domestic abuse policies. The report contains 5 main sections: 1. Domestic abuse: overview 2. Policy business case 3. Policy considerations 4. Developing domestic abuse policy 5. Making it work It is vital that universities acknowledge that domestic abuse is not a problem that only happens ‘behind closed doors’. Universities are in a fortunate position to have in their grasp this opportunity to support staff and students by developing policy and, in so doing, enhance their reputation and business operations

Introduction to the Special Issue on Domestic Abuse and Family Violence in the UK: the Impact of COVID 19

In recognition of the many efforts made to increase our knowledge about experiences of domestic abuse during the pandemic, the Journal of Aggression, Conflict, and Peace Research (JACPR) is publishing this Special Issue on Domestic Abuse and Family Violence in the UK: the Impact of COVID-19. This collection of papers is published three years after the first national lockdown and stay-at-home orders in March 2020. This unprecedented governmental response, to restrict the spread of virus, had a devastating impact on innumerable people, for myriad reasons

Introduction to the special issue on honour-based abuse, violence and killings

In acknowledgement of the many efforts made to increase our knowledge on honour crimes, the Journal of Aggression, Conflict, and Peace Research (JACPR) is publishing this special edition on Honour Based Abuse, Violence, and Killings