Exploring the Impact of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Its Relationship with Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Study on Experts' Perceptions.
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SUBMITTER: Fiolet R
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8246499 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan-Dec
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Exploring the Impact of Technology-Facilitated Abuse and Its Relationship with Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Study on Experts' Perceptions.
Fiolet Renee R Brown Cynthia C Wellington Molly M Bentley Karen K Hegarty Kelsey K
Global qualitative nursing research 20210101
Technology-facilitated abuse can be a serious form of domestic violence. Little is known about the relationship between technology-facilitated abuse and other types of domestic violence, or the impact technology-facilitated abuse has on survivors. The aim of this interpretative descriptive study is to understand domestic violence specialist service providers' perspectives on the impact of technology-facilitated abuse, and the link between technology-facilitated abuse and other forms of domestic ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundReported cases of Domestic Violence and Abuse (DVA) have increased since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns. Understanding the general public's view about DVA is vital, as it would help develop targeted interventions and effective public policies to tackle this rising problem in society. Our qualitative study investigated the public awareness, attitudes and perceptions towards DVA, and explored mechanisms to tackle DVA in the community setting in the UK.MethodsThe research team conducted personal interviews with 29 community dwelling adults who responded to study invitations and adverts on social media. We used a topic guide to ensure consistency across the interviews, which were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically to detect emergent themes concerning DVA.ResultsAll respondents were aware of the concept of abuse. Thirty-eight percent declared either having experienced DVA directly or that they knew someone close to being abused. More than half of the respondents were not aware of existing DVA supportive services in the UK. Overarching themes generated from the contextual analysis included contributing factors for DVA, challenges and barriers facing victims and proposals for future interventions.ConclusionsCommunity dwelling adults have a good understanding of the impacts of DVA, but many fail to recognise specific instances or events in their daily lives contributing to DVA. Raising public awareness, particularly in children through the school curriculum, highlighting existing support services and introducing the routine use of short screening tools for DVA in health and social care settings can increase awareness, early identification and signposting to effective interventions. Sustained, multi-level community facing interventions are recommended to reduce stigma and fear associated with DVA.
| S-EPMC9643966 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionTechnology-facilitated sexual violence and abuse (TFSVA) refers to a range of behaviours in which digital technologies are used to facilitate both virtual and face-to-face sexual harm. The proliferation of smartphone usage and increasing internet penetration rates across the world have made it easier for individuals to become perpetrators and victims of TFSVA. Since empirical studies of TFSVA remain limited in the academic arena, and there is an absence of evidence to support the development of a standardised TFSVA measurement, this review aims to explore what TFSVA measurements are currently available and their potential use in measuring TFSVA.Methods and analysisThis scoping review will be structured according to the Joanna Briggs Institute recommended framework. Keywords related to 'technology', 'sexual violence' and 'measure' will be used. Any paper related to measurements of TFSVA will be included without limitation to any population or setting. A search will be conducted from database inception until May 2024 for published literature in English and Chinese electronic databases, which included PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Scopus, ProQuest, Web of Science, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, SinoMed, Index to Taiwan Periodical Literature and Ariti Library. Screening and study selection will be conducted by two independent reviewers. Data will be extracted and reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews Checklist. The PAGER (Patterns, Advances, Gaps, Evidence for practice and Research recommendations) Framework will be used to report the findings.Ethics and disseminationSince the scoping review methodology consists of reviewing and collecting data from publicly available materials, this study does not require ethics approval. This scoping review has the potential to serve as the most appropriate way to explore existing evidence related to this emerging phenomenon. The results of this review are expected to highlight various types of TFSVA measurement developed in different settings. Further work is required to develop measurements adapted for specific populations and tested to ensure acceptability and cultural competence. The results will be disseminated through a peer-reviewed publication and conference presentations.Review registrationThe protocol of this review was registered within the Open Science Framework (https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Q5ETW) on 13 March 2024.
| S-EPMC11683985 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Health practitioners play an important role in identifying and responding to domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Despite a large amount of evidence about barriers and facilitators influencing health practitioners' care of survivors of DVA, evidence about their readiness to address DVA has not been synthesised. This article reports a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies exploring the research question: What do health practitioners perceive enhances their readiness to address domestic violence and abuse? Multiple data bases were searched in June 2018. Inclusion criteria included: qualitative design; population of health practitioners in clinical settings; and a focus on intimate partner violence. Two reviewers independently screened articles and findings from included papers were synthesised according to the method of thematic synthesis. Forty-seven articles were included in the final sample, spanning 41 individual studies, four systematic reviews and two theses between the years of 1992 and 2018; mostly from high income countries. Five themes were identified as enhancing readiness of health practitioners to address DVA: Having a commitment; Adopting an advocacy approach; Trusting the relationship; Collaborating with a team; and Being supported by the health system. We then propose a health practitioners' readiness framework called the CATCH Model (Commitment, Advocacy, Trust, Collaboration, Health system support). Applying this model to health practitioners' different readiness for change (using Stage of Change framework) allows us to tailor facilitating strategies in the health setting to enable greater readiness to deal with intimate partner abuse.
| S-EPMC7297351 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundDomestic violence and abuse (DVA) is common and damaging to health. UK national guidance advocates a multi-agency response to DVA, and domestic homicide reviews consistently recommend improved information-sharing between agencies. Identification of patients experiencing DVA in general practice may come from external information shared with the practice, such as police incident reports and multi-agency risk assessment conference (MARAC) reports. The aim of this study was to explore the views of general practitioners (GPs) and the police about sharing reports about DVA with GPs.MethodsQualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted with GPs, police staff and a partnership manager. Participants were located across England and Wales. Thematic analysis was undertaken.ResultsInterviews were conducted with 23 GPs, six police staff and one former partnership manager. Experiences of information-sharing with GPs about DVA varied. Participants described the relevance and value of external reports to GPs to help address the health consequences of DVA and safeguard patients. They balanced competing priorities when managing this information in the electronic medical record, namely visibility to GPs versus the risk of unintended disclosure to patients. GPs also spoke of the judgements they made about exploring DVA with patients based on external reports, which varied between abusive and non-abusive adults and children. Some felt constrained by short general practice consultations. Some police and GPs reflected on a loss of control when information about DVA was shared between agencies, and the risk of unintended consequences. Both police and GPs highlighted the importance of clear information and a shared understanding about responsibility for action.ConclusionGPs regarded external reports about DVA as relevant to their role, but safely recording this information in the electronic medical record and using it to support patients required complex judgements. Both GPs and police staff emphasised the importance of clarity of information and responsibility for action when information was shared between agencies about patients affected by DVA.
| S-EPMC7313185 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundTechnology-facilitated sexual violence and abuse (TFSVA) encompasses a range of behaviors where digital technologies are used to enable both virtual and in-person sexual violence. Given that TFSVA is an emerging and continually evolving form of sexual abuse, it has been challenging to establish a universally accepted definition or to develop standardized measures for its assessment.ObjectiveThis study aimed to address the significant gap in research on TFSVA within the Chinese context. Specifically, it sought to develop a TFSVA measurement tool with robust content validity, tailored for use in subsequent epidemiological studies within the Chinese context.MethodsThe first step in developing the measurement approach for TFSVA victimization and perpetration was to conduct a thorough literature review of existing empirical research on TFSVA and relevant measurement tools. After the initial generation of items, all the items were reviewed by an expert panel to assess the face validity. The measurement items were further reviewed by potential research participants, who were recruited through snowball sampling via online platforms. The assessment results were quantified by computing the content validity index (CVI). The participants were asked to rate each scale item in terms of its relevance, appropriateness, and clarity regarding the topic.ResultsThe questionnaire was reviewed by 24 lay experts, with a mean age of 27.96 years. They represented different genders and sexual orientations. The final questionnaire contained a total of 89 items. Three key domains were identified to construct the questionnaire, which included image-based sexual abuse, nonimage-based TFSVA, and online-initiated physical sexual violence. The overall scale CVI values of relevance, appropriateness, and clarity for the scale were 0.90, 0.96, and 0.97, respectively, which indicated high content validity for all the instrument items. To ensure the measurement accurately reflects the experiences of diverse demographic groups, the content validity was further analyzed by gender and sexual orientation. This analysis revealed variations in item validity among participants from different genders and sexual orientations. For instance, heterosexual male respondents showed a particularly low CVI for relevance of 0.20 in the items related to nudity, including "male's chest/nipples are visible" and "the person is sexually suggestive." This underscored the importance of an inclusive approach when developing a measurement for TFSVA.ConclusionsThis study greatly advances the assessment of TFSVA by examining the content validity of our newly developed measurement. The findings revealed that our measurement tool demonstrated adequate content validity, thereby providing a strong foundation for assessing TFSVA within the Chinese context. Implementing this tool is anticipated to enhance our understanding of TFSVA and aid in the development of effective interventions to combat this form of abuse.
| S-EPMC11615559 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Technology-facilitated abuse in relationships (TAR) is a widespread social problem that has a significant impact on victim-survivors. Most contemporary evidence on TAR focuses on victim-survivor and practitioner perspectives rather than those of perpetrators who choose to enact this form of harm. Addressing this deficit, this study explored perpetrators' discourses on emotions and motivations associated with engaging in TAR. Using story completion method, 35 self-identified perpetrators of TAR completed story stems describing scenarios that may precede the use of abusive online behaviors. Reflexive thematic analysis generated three themes. Abusive behaviors and negative emotions speaks to maladaptive experiences of anger and/or sadness that can precede a decision to use TAR. A loss of trust, a desire for control describes potential motives for using TAR. Finally, inhibitors of abusive behavior investigates rationales perpetrators use for avoidance of TAR behaviors, suggesting avenues for working with perpetrators to refrain from using TAR. We conclude by discussing policy, practice, and research recommendations including strategies for technology designers and suggestions for primary prevention and response to TAR.
| S-EPMC10619170 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BACKGROUND:Health services are often the first point of professional contact for people who have experienced domestic violence and abuse. We report on the evaluation of a multi-site, hospital-based advocacy intervention for survivors of domestic violence and abuse. Independent Domestic Violence Advisors (IDVAs), who provide survivors with support around safety, criminal justice, and health and wellbeing, were located in five hospitals in England between 2012 and 2015 in emergency departments and maternity services. We present views about IDVAs' approaches to tackling domestic violence and abuse, how the IDVA service worked in practice, and factors that hindered and facilitated engagement with survivors. METHODS:We adopted a convenience sampling approach and invited participation from all who offered to take part within the study timeframe. Sixty-four healthcare professionals, IDVAs, IDVA service managers, and commissioners at all sites were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using a thematic approach: familiarising ourselves with the data through repeated readings and noting initial ideas; generating initial codes through double coding notable features of the data across the dataset; collating codes into potential themes; and reviewing themes to ensure they captured the essence of the data. RESULTS:Two key themes emerged. The first was Hospital-based IDVAs fulfil several crucial roles. This theme highlighted that healthcare professionals thought the hospital-based IDVA service was valuable because it enhanced their skills, knowledge, and confidence in asking about domestic violence and abuse. It enabled them to immediately refer and provide support to patients who might have otherwise been lost along a referral pathway. It also reached survivors who might otherwise have remained hidden. The second theme was Success hinges on a range of structural factors. This theme illustrated the importance of ongoing domestic violence and abuse training for staff, the IDVA having private and dedicated space, and the service being embedded in hospital infrastructure (e.g. featuring it in hospital-wide policies and enabling IDVAs access to medical records). CONCLUSION:Hospital-based IDVAs offer a unique and valued way to respond to domestic violence and abuse in a healthcare setting. Further work must now be done to explore how to implement the service sustainably.
| S-EPMC7035753 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectivesTo understand help-seeking by male victims of domestic violence and abuse (DVA) and their experiences of support services by systematically identifying qualitative and mixed-method studies and thematically synthesising their findings.DesignSystematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis. Searches were conducted in 12 databases and the grey literature with no language or date restrictions. Quality appraisal of the studies was carried out using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme tool. Reviewers extracted first and second order constructs related to help-seeking, identified themes and combined them by interpretative thematic synthesis.SettingDVA experienced by male victims and defined as any incident or pattern of incidents of controlling coercive or threatening behaviour, violence or abuse among people aged 18 or over who are or have been intimate partners or family members, regardless of gender or sexuality.ParticipantsMale victims of DVA.InterventionsAny intervention which provides practical and/or psychological support to male victims of DVA including but not limited to DVA-specific services, primary healthcare and sexual health clinics.Primary and secondary outcome measuresQualitative data describing help-seeking experiences and interactions with support services of male victims of domestic violence RESULTS: We included twelve studies which were published between 2006 and 2017. We grouped nine themes described over two phases (a) barriers to help-seeking: fear of disclosure, challenge to masculinity, commitment to relationship, diminished confidence/despondency and invisibility/perception of services; and (b) experiences of interventions and support: initial contact, confidentiality, appropriate professional approaches and inappropriate professional approaches.ConclusionThe recent publication of the primary studies suggests a new interest in the needs of male DVA victims. We have confirmed previously identified barriers to help-seeking by male victims of DVA and provide new insight into barriers and facilitators to service provision.Prospero registration numberCRD42016039999.
| S-EPMC6585830 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ObjectiveThe aim was to explore women's perceptions of violence, its causes, manifestations, consequences and responses to prevent and confront domestic violence against women in Brazilian society.DesignWe conducted a qualitative study with individual, semistructured interviews. We used thematic analysis and discussed the data considering the ecological framework.SettingThe study was conducted in an antenatal and postnatal care service in the Brazilian National Health System. Data collection was conducted in October 2022.ParticipantsThe sample selection was intentional and sampling was conducted according to the data saturation criterion. Twelve women who attended an antenatal and postnatal care service were interviewed. The participants reported different experiences of domestic and family violence throughout their lives.ResultsBased on the analysis, four themes were identified: (1) between the public and the private spheres: violence against women and its manifestations, causes and particularities; (2) factors that increase vulnerability; (3) protection system and support network: strengths and weaknesses; and (4) alternatives for the prevention and elimination of violence.ConclusionsThe perceptions of Brazilian women during pregnancy and the postpartum period regarding domestic violence included a multifaceted view of violence. The women's discourse demonstrated the difficulties that they faced in interrupting the cycle of violence and accessing support networks.
| S-EPMC10277124 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ImportanceDigital communication and imaging technologies have created new opportunities for technology-facilitated abuse (TFA) and necessitate a better understanding of how and why the risk for TFA varies across different groups of youths.ObjectivesTo compare the prevalence of TFA among youths across 5 different sexual and gender identity groups, and to identify risk factors that may explain variations in TFA risk.Design, setting, and participantsA US nationally representative online survey was conducted among 2639 young adults recruited from the KnowledgePanel online panel from November 19 to December 29, 2021. Individuals aged 18 to 28 years were asked retrospectively about TFA and a variety of other youth experiences in childhood (aged <18 years).Main outcomes and measuresParticipants were asked about their sexual and gender identities, 11 types of TFA occurring before the age of 18 years, and several potential risk factors. Prevalence rates of any TFA were compared across sexual and gender identity groups, and analyses were conducted to identify risk factors that help explain group differences. Weights were developed to compensate for gender, education, race and ethnicity, household income, census region, and metropolitan status disproportions.ResultsAmong the 2510 respondents (mean [SD] age, 24.8 [2.8] years) who provided gender and sexual identity information, 46.5% (95% CI, 41.9%-51.1%) were cisgender heterosexual females, 25.2% (95% CI, 21.6%-29.1%) were cisgender sexual minority females, 18.3% (95% CI, 14.4%-22.9%) were cisgender heterosexual males, 6.8% (95% CI, 4.6%-9.9%) were cisgender sexual minority males, and 3.3% (95% CI, 2.0%-5.4%) were gender minority individuals. The prevalence of TFA occurring before the age of 18 years was highest among sexual minority females (55.3%; 95% CI, 48.0%-62.4%) and gender minority individuals (53.4%; 95% CI, 33.5%-72.2%). Rates of sexting were highest among cisgender sexual minority females (38.8%; 95% CI, 19.1%-58.8%) and gender minority individuals (36.7%; 95% CI, 19.1%-58.8%) and represented the strongest risk factor for TFA exposure (odds ratio, 5.7; 95% CI, 4.0-8.0). However, it explained little variation in TFA across groups once early in-person adversity, sexual abuse, bullying, and maltreatment were taken into account.Conclusions and relevanceThis study demonstrates the risk of TFA among sexual and gender minority youths and the need to target prevention efforts toward these vulnerable groups. In addition to strategies to reduce risky behavior, efforts to lower the risk of early sexual abuse, bullying, and maltreatment are likely to also be effective in decreasing TFA among these marginalized groups.
| S-EPMC10837746 | biostudies-literature