A voice for traumatized women: inclusion and mutual support

Peer Support Work in the Context of Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review

Peer support models of service provision have become increasingly prevalent in recent decades across multiple health and human services fields. In this scoping review, we examine peer support work within the context of intimate partner violence (IPV) service provision, including an examination of how this approach is conceptualized, the mechanisms underlying it, the impact of professionalism, and the benefits and challenges experienced by IPV peer support workers (PSWs). Three social science databases were searched with keywords related to IPV and peer support work, with additional articles and materials identified via targeted Google searches. The final sample of materials meeting criteria for the study (i.e., focusing on trained peer workers and their experiences serving IPV survivor clients) includes 10 papers and reports published from 1983 to 2022. We find that peer support work is conceptualized as a holistic alternative to traditional forms of IPV service provision, and that PSWs are viewed as occupying a unique role in relation to clients that enhances their ability to provide comprehensive care. However, we also identify several challenges resulting from the increasing professionalization of the IPV field, including a lack of role clarity for PSWs, a need to balance structure and flexibility in peer work service settings, and skepticism toward PSWs from credentialed professionals. Lastly, we find that although PSWs experience advantages from providing services, including enhanced personal growth and healing, they also navigate challenges related to maintaining their own emotional well-being and would benefit from additional training and institutional support.

Acceptability and feasibility of implementing the Enhanced Assess, Acknowledge, Act (EAAA) sexual assault prevention intervention on a U.S. university campus: Themes from qualitative interviews and written reflections

Objectives: Assess the acceptability of and self-reported behavioral change from participation in a sexual assault prevention intervention on a U.S. university campus. Participants: Thirty-one undergraduate students who identified as women and opted-in to participating in both the intervention and research. Methods: In-depth interviews and written reflections were collected. Analysis was thematic with three investigators coding and reaching consensus. Results: The EAAA program was well-liked by most participants, with positive behavior changes reported. Five key themes reflecting strengths of EAAA were identified, including improved verbal communication, reduced sexual assault myths, empowerment, recognizing and responding to danger cues, and learning about healthy sexuality. Three key themes reflecting challenges were identified, including time commitment, use of outdated program materials, and a single gender focus. Conclusions: EAAA translates well, with a few adaptations, to a residential campus environment in the U.S. Research is needed to assess program effectiveness in reducing sexual assault.

Staff perspectives on the impact of COVID 19 on the delivery of specialist domestic abuse services in the UK: A qualitative study

Domestic abuse is a significant public health issue effecting 2.4 million adults in England and Wales each year. In March 2020 the World Health Organisation declared a global pandemic following the outbreak of COVID-19. As a result, the UK moved to a period of lockdown. There is growing evidence that highlights the unintended negative consequences of lockdown, particularly in households where abuse is present. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of frontline specialist domestic abuse staff who continued to support victims during the period of lockdown to understand the impact of COVID-19 on service delivery. Ten, one to one, semi structured qualitative interviews were carried out with staff from a specialist domestic abuse service that operates in regions across the north-east of England. All participants had been involved in service delivery for a minimum of 12 months prior to March 2020 and had continued to deliver services throughout the UK initial lockdown period between March and July 2020. Each interview was transcribed verbatim, anonymised, then subjected to thematic analysis. Six themes were developed from the data covering: emergency support for victims; wider service efficiencies; victim safety; group work versus one-to-one support; criminal and family courts; and workforce development. While lockdown resulted in increased levels and severity of referrals, the switch to remote working brought a range of service efficiencies including time and money saved by negating the need to travel. Remote working also enhanced support offered to male victims and those with mental health issues but not those in rural locations with poor connectivity and those effected by the digital divide. Services should not underestimate the long-term benefits of peer support both to clients and staffs.

Traumatic experiences and re-victimization of female inmates undergoing treatment for substance abuse

Background

In the past decade, several studies have focused on the treatment needs of female inmates with substance abuse problems. An important finding has been that these women are more likely to report histories of sexual, physical, and emotional abuse-at rates varying from 77% to 90%. The trauma resulting from this kind of abuse is a key contributing factor in behavioral problems in adolescence and subsequent delinquency, substance abuse, and criminality in adulthood.

Methods

This was a retrospective clinical study. A convenience sample of 112 women who entered the program’s treatment groups consecutively for one year form part of the study. Information on traumatic events was obtained using some questions from the Initial Trauma Review. It explores whether the participant experienced physical abuse, sexual abuse, disasters, automobile accidents, or witnessed violence under the age of 18. It also examines experiences as an adult, including sexual and physical abuse, attacks by others who are not intimate partners, and abuse by authorities.

Results

Revictimization in sexual abuse was found in 78.1% of participants. Significant differences were identified between women who had experienced a traumatic sexual event from a person five years their senior before the age of 18 and then suffered from sexual violence as an adult, and women who had never undergone either of these events (x² = 11.3, df 112/1, p = <.001). In physical abuse, the figure was 82.17%. Differences were observed between women who were revictimized through physical abuse before and after the age of 18 (x² = 5.91, df 112/1, p = <.01), and those who had not experienced any kind of revictimization. Significant differences were found between women who had suffered a traumatic sexual event as a child and subsequently physical violence from their parents, and women who had not undergone either of these events (x² = 3.48, df 112/1, p = <.05).

Conclusions

Investment in treatment in these areas during the prison sentence and after release may contribute to preventing these women from become repeat offenders. Creating sources of work and halfway houses that continue the program to prevent relapses into substance use can help defend the human rights of this group of women and achieve social justice.

Toward mutual support: a task analysis of the relational justice approach to infidelity

Gender, culture, and power issues are intrinsic to the etiology of infidelity, but the clinical literature offers little guidance on how to work with these concerns. The Relational Justice Approach (RJA) to infidelity (Williams, Family Process, 2011, 50, 516) uniquely places gender and power issues at the heart of clinical change; however, this approach has not been systematically studied. Therefore a qualitative task analysis was utilized to understand how change occurs in RJA. The findings indicated four necessary tasks: (a) creating an equitable foundation for healing, (b) creating space for alternate gender discourse, (c) pursuing relational responsibility of powerful partner, and (d) new experience of mutual support. Therapists' attention to power dynamics that organize couple relationships, leadership in intervening in power processes, and socio-cultural attunement to gender discourses were foundational to this work. These findings help clarify the processes by which mutual healing from the trauma of infidelity may occur and offer empirically based actions that therapists can take to facilitate mutual support.

Schizophrenia and violence: the perspective of women

Violence against women is a major public health problem. Women with a diagnosis of schizophrenia suffer higher rates of violence compared with women without mental illnesses. Little research has focused on what it means for women to live with schizophrenia and a history of violence. This interpretive phenomenological study identified three themes of schizophrenia and violence: Being Stigmatized, Foreclosing a Future of Possibilities, and Finding Meaning in Symptoms. The results suggest mental health professionals should assess women with diagnoses of schizophrenia for violence and provide opportunities for trauma stories to be heard. These listening types of patient-centered interventions may promote recovery.