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Special Issue "Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses"

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A special issue of Social Sciences (ISSN 2076-0760). This special issue belongs to the section "Gender Studies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 8484

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Dr. Ashley Fansher

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Guest Editor

School of Arts and Sciences, University of Houston, Victoria, TX 77901, USA
Interests: victimology; sexual assault among college students; child abuse and neglect; technology-facilitated victimization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Gender-based violence, which is underreported in many cultures, is a global concern that leads to the creation, perpetuation, and maintenance of gender inequalities. Historically, laws governing gender-based crimes were applied only sparingly when certain criteria were met, creating “ideal” victims (i.e., virgins, the unmarried). Moreover, gender-based crimes were often treated as “personal issues” or “family matters” by law enforcement. As awareness, research, and programming surrounding these crimes has become more mainstream, researchers and advocates are still finding that gender-based violence victims hesitate to report their experiences to the criminal justice system or to remain in contact with the system post-reporting. The reasons for this reticence may be personal or directed toward the system specifically. These system concerns may be based on vicarious experiences or even misperceptions about how their case will be processed.

This Special Issue will address how gendered violence is processed by the criminal justice system. Gender-based violence may include (but is not limited to) sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, and harassment. Both victim perceptions of criminal justice system processing and system processing itself—in relation to law enforcement, the court system, or the corrections system—are encouraged. Ideally, there will be similar coverage of both victim perceptions of and actual processing from a variety of cultures to highlight comparisons. Both qualitative and quantitative research are welcome.

Dr. Ashley Fansher
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

gender-based violence
sexual assault
intimate partner violence
stalking
harassment
victim perceptions
victims
law enforcement
courts
system responses

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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Open AccessArticle

Variations in Victimization: The Relationship between Community Types, Violence against Women and Reporting Behaviors

and

Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(9), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12090471 - 23 Aug 2023

Viewed by 460

Abstract

Existing research suggests that victimization risk is higher among urban residents. Violence against women is a notable exception in this trend. While the literature does indicate that rural women are at equal risk for violent victimization, it does not differentiate between types of non-urban spaces (exurbs, suburbs, small towns, dispersed rural). We use a five-category measure of rural-urban location articulated land use to disentangle victim–offender relationship distribution using a female victim sample from the 1996–2005 United States National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS). In the most rural areas (dispersed rural locations), women are most likely to be victimized by friends or acquaintances. The proportion of women victimized by strangers in dispersed rural locations is very low. As urbanicity increases, so does the proportion of women victimized by strangers. The findings indicate that victim–offender relationships may be dictated by proximity. In dispersed rural locations, there are comparatively fewer people unknown to the victim than in central city locations. Consequently, proximity dictates that offenders in dispersed rural locations are unlikely to be strangers. The articulated land use measure ensures that the differences between types of rural and suburban locations are identified. Future research should consider the impact of proximity on rural victimization and increased specificity in rural measurements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

Open AccessArticle

Reporting and Help-Seeking among Sexual Minority and Heterosexual Victims of Stalking

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Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(8), 424; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12080424 - 25 Jul 2023

Viewed by 516

Abstract

Given the disproportionately higher rates of stalking among sexual minority individuals, the present study aimed to explore factors that influence these victims’ help-seeking behaviors. Employing data from the United States’ 2019 National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) Supplemental Victimization Survey (SVS), this study explores various demographic and psychological factors impacting help-seeking among sexual minority and heterosexual victims. Results indicate that sexual minority individuals are significantly more likely to seek help than heterosexual victims of stalking. Further exploration through logistic regression, limited to the sexual minority group, shows significant associations between help-seeking and age, sex, and emotional distress from stalking, but not race. Indicating that younger respondents, female respondents, and those experiencing an emotional impact are more likely to seek help for stalking victimization among sexual minority victims. These findings emphasize the importance of sexual orientation in understanding help-seeking behaviors among stalking victims, suggesting a need for more tailored support services for the sexual minority community. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

Open AccessArticle

The Empirical Relationship between Procedural Justice, Police Legitimacy, and Intimate Partner Violence Experiences among a Sample of Previously Adjudicated Youth

Sara Zedaker

and

Amanda Goodson

Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(6), 354; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12060354 - 16 Jun 2023

Viewed by 635

Abstract

The impact of intimate partner violence on procedural justice has not received much attention in extant literature. As such, the current study uses data from the Pathways to Desistance Study to examine how elements of intimate partner violence affect trust in police and perceptions of legitimacy toward the criminal justice system. Results indicated several important findings regarding the effects of intimate partner violence on procedural justice. Limitations, future research, and policy recommendations are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

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Open AccessArticle

A Decade of Decision Making: Prosecutorial Decision Making in Sexual Assault Cases

Ashley K. Fansher

and

Bethany Welsh

Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(6), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12060348 - 12 Jun 2023

Viewed by 838

Abstract

In the United States, it is estimated that fewer than 30% of sexual assaults are reported to law enforcement, less than 5% will result in an arrest, and approximately 3% will result in a felony conviction. The present study examines a census of sexual assault reports from 2012 to 2020 in a large police department in the Midwest region of the United States, considering only those cases presented to the district attorney’s office for consideration (n = 700). Victim characteristics, suspect characteristics, and incident characteristics were examined as relating to a prosecutor accepting a case for charges. Further, a series of “ideal victim” characteristics were identified and used to create an additive scale based on prior research. The most significant predictors of prosecutor acceptance in the full sample were a lack of “date rape” drugs, continued cooperation from the victim, the suspect having a prior arrest for sexual assault, and the assault being reported within 24 h of occurring. A separate model was conducted for only those cases with continued cooperation from the victim. The researchers discuss the implications of these significant factors and suggest training to change false perceptions of victims among criminal justice officials and to increase victim reporting/cooperation in cases of sexual assault. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

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Open AccessArticle

Accompaniment in the Gender and Social Discrimination of Migrant Women Victims of Gender-Based Violence: From Bibliography to Situated Key in Burgos, Spain

Abel Merino Orozco

Miriam Calvo Ruiz

Cristina Di Giusto Valle

Gloria Pérez de Albéniz Garrote

Begoña Medina Gómez

Aida Gutiérrez García

Sara Saez Velasco

and

Valeriana Guijo Blanco

Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(6), 325; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12060325 - 31 May 2023

Viewed by 649

Abstract

Migrant women who experience gender-based violence face a framework of social vulnerability that is compounded by their status as both women and migrants, requiring specific attention in social support. The aim of this study is to understand the situation of women in the social and health access realm, drawing from scientific literature as well as the voices of migrant women and professionals who support them, in order to establish priority guidelines for social support. The study begins with a bibliographic analysis of scientific literature on migrant women who have experienced gender-based violence, which informs six interviews with migrant women and five professionals, delving into their social needs and support requirements. The most prominent results point to the need for sustained and interdisciplinary support throughout the process of accessing healthcare and legal services. In addition, there is a call for social awareness in understanding the specific and personal needs of migrant women. Finally, educational support is required to dismantle patriarchal beliefs that legitimize gender discrimination and violence, avoiding re-victimization and acknowledging the multi-dimensional nature of women’s experiences. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

Review

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Open AccessReview

Psychometric Test Review of the Abusive Behaviour Inventory (ABI)

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Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(7), 400; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12070400 - 10 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1226

Abstract

This paper examines the Abusive Behaviour Inventory (ABI), which is regarded as an efficient self-report measure with demonstrated high reliability and validity. This examination aims to determine the tool’s effectiveness when screening for victims of domestic violence and present recommendations for how the device may be improved. Within this critique, the ABI is analysed through a literature review and the exploration of the tool’s development. A detailed overview of the ABI is included, and its reliability and validity are critically reviewed. Findings from the research base of this tool are presented and also discussed. While the ABI is regarded as an efficient self-report measure which has been demonstrated to have both high reliability and validity, after evaluation, implementing a structured professional judgement (SPJ) approach is recommended. This would expand the tool’s utility to include risk and safety assessment. In addition, methods and considerations for including LGBTQ relationships are introduced. Finally, implications for the ABI’s use in informing batterer intervention programs are highlighted. It is concluded that more research is warranted to continue increasing the ABI’s applicability to different intimate relationship archetypes and populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Intimate Partner Rape: A Review of Six Core Myths Surrounding Women’s Conduct and the Consequences of Intimate Partner Rape

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Soc. Sci. 2023, 12(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12010034 - 04 Jan 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3392

Abstract

The focus of this paper is to highlight and review the evidence surrounding common intimate partner rape (IPR) myths, their prevalence in society, and identify those who are most likely to endorse such beliefs. Six core IPR myths are discussed related to misconceptions surrounding (1) women’s decisions to remain in abusive relationships, (2) why women delay or never report IPR, (3) women’s perceived motivations when an IPR report is made, (4) a perceived lack of trauma that occurs as a consequence of this type of rape, (5) male sexual entitlement within intimate relationships, and (6) whether it is even possible to rape a marital partner. This article draws together a wealth of studies and research that evidence why such IPR myths are indeed factually inaccurate and examines how victims, justice professionals, police practitioners, and legal decision-makers endorsement of false beliefs pertaining to intimate partner rape serve to hinder various justice pathways. We discuss the consequences of rape mythology in so far as they create social barriers that prohibit the reporting of rape, impact the progression of an allegation through the criminal justice system and ultimately, obstruct rape victims’ access to justice. The review concludes by considering evidence regarding the possible benefits of education interventions in reducing the problematic influence of rape myths. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gendered Violence: Victim Perceptions and System Responses)

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