Intimate Partner Violence among South Asian Women in the United States: Prevalence and Help-Seeking Behaviors

Data suggests that over 35% of women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime and have reported significant short and long-term impacts, such as post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms and injury (Breiding et al., 2011). Ethnic/minority women are especially vulnerable to IPV with rates ranging from 44% for African American women to 46% for American Indian/Alaska Native women (Breiding et al., 2011). Although South Asians are some of the most recent immigrants, they are one of the fastest growing ethnic groups in the United States, with a current population of 3.4 million (US Census, 2010). The World Health Organization (2013) estimates that South Asia has the highest regional prevalence of IPV worldwide at approximately 40 percent. Community-based studies conducted in the United States have similarly indicated that South Asian women experience IPV at rates ranging from 40 percent (Mahapatra, 2012; Raj & Silverman, 2002) to 60 percent (Adams, 2000). In contrast, national studies conducted in the United States have found that Asian women have the lowest IPV prevalence rates compared to their White and non-White counterparts (Breiding et al., 2011). In order for social work practitioners, policy makers, and researchers to effectively attend to the needs of this rapidly growing population in the United States, it is imperative to understand their experiences with violence and service utilization. Due to the fact that most South Asians in the United States are Indian immigrants (US Census, 2010), this dissertation study utilized secondary data from the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3) from India to understand the landscape of violence and help-seeking among women in India and to provide a contextual basis to understand the experiences of South Asian (immigrant) women in the United States. The knowledge and insight gained from the secondary data analyses were utilized to inform the design, collection, and analyses of primary mixed methods data examining IPV among South Asian women in the United States. Qualitative data comprising of interviews with service providers identified cultural values that perpetuate and sustain IPV among South Asians and barriers and facilitators to service utilization among survivors. Implications for practice, research, and policy are discussed

Nordhaus-Gaddum Type Relations on Open Support Independence Number of Some Path Related Graphs Under Addition and Multiplication

في هذا البحث ، تمت دراسة العلاقات من نوع نوردهاوس - جادوم في عدد استقلالية الدعم المفتوح لبعض الرسوم البيانية المشتقة من الرسوم البيانية المتعلقة بالمسار تحت الجمع والضرب.In this paper, Nordhaus-Gaddum type relations on open support independence number of some derived graphs of path related graphs under addition and multiplication are studied

Coding of sexual assault by emergency physicians: A nationally representative study

INTRODUCTION: Sexual assault is a public health problem that affects many Americans and has multiple long-lasting effects on victims. Medical evaluation after sexual assault frequently occurs in the emergency department, and documentation of the visit plays a significant role in decisions regarding prosecution and outcomes of legal cases against perpetrators. The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends coding such visits as sexual assault rather than adding modifiers such as alleged. METHODS: This study reviews factors associated with coding of visits as sexual assault compared to suspected sexual assault using the 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample. RESULTS: Younger age, female gender, a larger number of procedure codes, urban hospital location, and lack of concurrent alcohol use are associated with coding for confirmed sexual assault. CONCLUSION: Implications of this coding are discussed

Crisis Work Embedded in a Global Crisis: The Early Phase Impact of COVID-19 on Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence and Service Provisions

COVID-19, as a global pandemic, was a public health inflection point for individuals affected by intimate partner violence (IPV) and those who provide IPV services. Public health guidelines that were intended to reduce risk of exposure to the virus impacted vulnerability factors for IPV survivors and associated systems of services. We aimed to (1) explore the effect of COVID-19 on survivors of IPV; (2) assess the effect of COVID-19 on IPV-related service provisions and service providers; and (3) explore challenges and opportunities in the wake of COVID-19 on broader IPV services and advocacy. Method: Twelve directors of IPV shelter, criminal justice, and other advocacy services within a diverse, Midwestern metropolitan area were recruited to participate in in-depth, semi-structured interviews in June–August 2020. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using Dedoose. Data were coded and analyzed through thematic analysis. Results: Four major themes, contextualized by COVID-19 and racial injustice, emerged from the data analysis: (1) IPV-related trends; (2) impact on IPV survivors, services, and agency morale; (3) inter-agency collaborations; and (4) future opportunities for innovative service delivery. Gaps and opportunities for developing culturally congruent, trauma-informed services were identified. Conclusion: Findings suggest that responsive and accessible IPV resources and associated advocacy services can make the difference between life and death for survivors

Acceptability Of A Social Support Intervention For Re-Entering Prisoners

A relatively unexplored area of prisoner reentry programs involves actively engaging the prisoner’s naturally occurring social support in the reentry interventions. Most reentering prisoners rely on loved ones for social support, but that support is often fragile. Interventions that strengthen the sustainability of social support are crucial to a successful reentry. This study evaluates the acceptability of a social support intervention for male prisoners with substance-use disorders who are reentering the community. The manualized, community-based Support Matters intervention is delivered to dyads comprised of a reentering prisoner and a support partner through 10 weekly group sessions. Support Matters teaches cognitive and relational skills that reduce the likelihood of relapse to substance abuse and crime. This acceptability evaluation pilot tested Support Matters with a sample of 30 prisoner-support person dyads and 7 program facilitators to assess the recipients’ and intervention deliverers’ perceptions of the suitability and satisfaction with the program and to gather recommendations for refining Support Matters. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through semi-structured assessments, individual interviews, and focus groups. Intervention deliverers and recipients indicated the model was satisfactory and appraised Support Matters as highly suitable for this audience. Recipients expressed appreciation for the skills training and the group format. Recommendations for improvements included extending the program length, expanding the content, and incorporating engagement strategies before release from prison. Findings regarding this promising intervention approach will help guide the growing number of scholars and practitioners seeking to improve reentering prisoners’ engagement with positive social supports

Coding of Sexual Assault by Emergency Physicians: A Nationally Representative Study

Introduction: Sexual assault is a public health problem that affects many Americans and has multiple long-lasting effects on victims. Medical evaluation after sexual assault frequently occurs in the emergency department, and documentation of the visit plays a significant role in decisions regarding prosecution and outcomes of legal cases against perpetrators. The American College of Emergency Physicians recommends coding such visits as sexual assault rather than adding modifiers such as “alleged.”Methods: This study reviews factors associated with coding of visits as sexual assault compared to suspected sexual assault using the 2016 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample.Results: Younger age, female gender, a larger number of procedure codes, urban hospital location, and lack of concurrent alcohol use are associated with coding for confirmed sexual assault.Conclusion: Implications of this coding are discussed