Swipe Left on Sexual Harassment: Understanding and Addressing Technology-Facilitated Sexual Violence on Dating Apps.

Dating violence is a pervasive issue that has become increasingly complex to address as technologies mediating interpersonal connections become more widely utilized. The incidence and ways in which violence manifests through digital media are not fully understood. This study aimed to better understand the relationship between geolocational dating apps like Tinder, Bumble, and Grindr and technology-facilitated sexual violence (TFSV) among university students. An anonymous survey was electronically administered to a convenience sample of 1,000 undergraduates at a large private university in the southeastern United States. Participants indicated their dating app usage and the frequency of specific TFSV experiences they had encountered. Chi-square tests were conducted to identify relationships between demographic characteristics and experiences of TFSV. Multivariate logistic regression was conducted to predict TFSV based on respondent characteristics. A total of 910 respondents completed the survey, with more than half (54%) of respondents reporting some type of TFSV while using dating apps. Women and non-heterosexual students experience significantly more TFSV than male and heterosexual students. While participants' academic year (first-year through senior) and participation in extracurricular activities were not associated with TFSV, dating app selection was a significant predictor of the likelihood to report TFSV, with Grindr users being significantly more likely to report. Major Implications Due to the near-ubiquitous use of dating apps in this population, interventions to address campus social norms, comprehensive sexuality education, and consent education, and improved regulation of TFSV by technology companies should be implemented- especially for cisgender, heterosexual women, and gender and sexual minorities.

Prevalence, Determinants, and Trends in the Experience and Perpetration of Intimate Partner Violence Among a Cohort of Gay, Bisexual, and Other Men Who Have Sex with Men in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver, Canada (2017-2022).

Purpose: Longitudinal data on the experience and perpetration of intimate partner violence (IPV) among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) are limited. We estimated the prevalence of past 6-month (P6M) physical and/or sexual IPV (hereafter IPV) experience and perpetration, identified their determinants, and assessed temporal trends, including the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 pandemic. Methods: We used data from the Engage Cohort Study (2017-2022) of GBM recruited using respondent-driven sampling in Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver. Adjusted prevalence ratios (aPRs) for determinants and self-reported P6M IPV were estimated using generalized estimating equations, accounting for attrition (inverse probability of censoring weights) and relevant covariates. Longitudinal trends of IPV were also assessed. Results: Between 2017 and 2022, 1455 partnered GBM (median age 32 years, 82% gay, and 71% White) had at least one follow-up visit. At baseline, 31% of participants experienced IPV in their lifetime and 17% reported ever perpetrating IPV. During follow-up, IPV experience was more common (6%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 5%-7%) than perpetration (4%, 95% CI: 3%-5%). Factors associated with P6M IPV experience included prior IPV experience (aPR: 2.68, 95% CI: 1.76-4.08), lower education (aPR: 2.31, 95% CI: 1.32-4.04), and substance use (injection aPR: 5.05, 95% CI: 2.54-10.05, non-injection aPR: 1.68, 95% CI: 1.00-2.82). Similar factors were associated with IPV perpetration. IPV was stable over time; periods of COVID-19 restrictions were not associated with IPV changes in this cohort. Conclusion: Prevalence of IPV was high among GBM. Determinants related to marginalization were associated with an increased risk of IPV. Interventions should address these determinants to reduce IPV and improve health.

Intimate partner violence is related to future alcohol use among a nationwide sample of LGBTQIA+ people: Results from The PRIDE Study.

BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, aromantic and asexual (LGBTQIA+) communities in the United States experience higher rates of alcohol use than the general population. While experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) is thought to lead to increased alcohol use in LGBTQIA+ people, little research has investigated the temporal relationship between IPV and alcohol use in this population. METHODS: Data from two annual questionnaires of The Population Research in Identity and Disparities for Equality Study (The PRIDE Study) longitudinal cohort (n=3,783) were included. Overall IPV and three sub-types (physical, sexual, and emotional) - measured in 2021 using the extended Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream (E-HITS) screening tool - was examined as a predictor of Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score in 2022 using multivariable linear regression to assess linear and quadratic associations. Models were adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics and history of alcohol use. RESULTS: One-quarter (24.7%) of respondents reported experiencing past-year IPV in 2021. The mean AUDIT score in 2022 was 3.52 (SD = 4.13). In adjusted models, both linear (B: 0.26, 95% CI: 0.14, 0.38) and quadratic (B: -0.03, 95% CI: -0.04, -0.01) terms for overall IPV were significantly associated with next-year AUDIT score. These patterns were mirrored in each IPV sub-type, were not attenuated when accounting for relationship characteristics, and were heterogeneous across gender identity groups. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide evidence of a temporal relationship between IPV and alcohol use in LGBTQIA+ communities, suggesting that efforts to prevent and mitigate IPV may help reduce alcohol use disparities in this population.

Violence Victimization and Depressive Symptoms Among a Sub-Sample of Sexual and Gender Minority Adults in a Population-Based South African Study.

Sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults in South Africa face high levels of violence and poor mental health outcomes. Interventions to prevent these negative health implications are hampered by a lack of representative data among this population. This study aims to quantify the associations between three forms of violent victimization and depressive symptoms in a sub-sample of SGM drawn from a population-based cross-sectional study in Gauteng, South Africa. Data come from the sixth Quality of Life survey conducted in South Africa's Gauteng province. Brief screeners assessed childhood sexual abuse (CSA), past-year intimate partner violence (IPV), non-partner violence, and depressive symptoms. Three survey-weighted logistic regression analyses were fit to model associations between elevated depressive symptoms and CSA, past-year IPV, and past-year non-partner violence, controlling for socio-demographics (age, race, sex, area of residence, education, socioeconomic status, and recent employment). N = 1,328 SGM respondents were included. Over 40% (n = 537) reported depressive symptoms, while 17% (n = 222) reported CSA, 5% (n = 67) reported IPV, and 16% (n = 208) reported non-partner violence. CSA and non-partner violence were associated with significantly higher odds of reporting depressive symptoms (aOR: 1.51, 95% CI [1.03, 2.23]; aOR: 1.84, [1.24, 2.73], respectively). IPV was not associated with elevated depressive symptoms (aOR: 1.17, [0.64, 2.16]). In all models, employment in the past 7 days was associated with significantly lower odds of reporting depressive symptoms. Recent and childhood violence is a major burden that is associated with elevated symptoms of depression among SGM in urban South Africa. Community-tailored interventions and policy-related advocacy related to employment and violence prevention may alleviate depressive symptoms in SGM adults in Gauteng.

Strategies to Prevent Violence Against Children in the Home: A Systematic Review of Reviews.

Violence against children (VAC) in the home, or by household members, is a human rights and social problem with long-lasting consequences for individuals and society. Global policy instruments like the INSPIRE package have proposed strategies to prevent VAC, including Implementation and enforcement of laws, Norms and values, Safe environments, Parent and caregiver support, Income and economic strengthening, Response and support services, and Education and life skills. This systematic review of reviews aimed to synthesize the recent evidence base (i.e., published since 2000) for each INSPIRE strategy to reduce VAC in the home or by household members. We searched four databases using controlled vocabularies and keywords and searched for additional records in prior reviews of reviews. A total of 67 studies were included in this review, including literature reviews, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, and other types of reviews. We found extensive evidence supporting the effectiveness of parent and caregiver support interventions. However, reviews on other INSPIRE strategies were scarce. We also found a vast underrepresentation of samples from low- and- middle-income countries, children with disabilities, and families affected by forced displacement and conflict. In sum, this systematic review suggests that there are several promising strategies to prevent VAC (e.g., home visiting and parent education), but further research is necessary to strengthen the current body of evidence and effectively inform the implementation and scale-up of evidence-based interventions to protect children from violence globally.

Bearing (Aguantando) With Intimate Partner Violence: A Grounded Theory Study of Self-Silencing Among Hispanic Women Who Experienced Intimate Partner Violence.

Hispanic women who experience intimate partner violence (IPV) face unique disparities. They have poorer health outcomes and are less likely to seek help than their non-Hispanic counterparts. When women remain in relationships where IPV occurs and refuse to disclose or seek treatment, they may resort to self-silencing, which can also worsen health outcomes. The purpose of this study was to develop a theory that explains how self-silencing evolves among Hispanic women who experience IPV. Participants were recruited from two research studies focused on Hispanic women's health, and from snowball sampling, which involved referrals by previously registered participants. Data were collected via Zoom® and included individual interviews. A total of 25 women participated in this study. Analysis followed constructive grounded theory levels of analysis described by Charmaz and constant comparative methods described by Glaser and Strauss. A grounded theory entitled Bearing (Aguantando) With Intimate Partner Violence emerged from the data. The theory explains the main strategy Hispanic women use to deal with violence while remaining in a relationship where IPV occurs. The theory is constructed of four categories with subcategories. The results of this study provide an initial framework to understand the self-silencing process among Hispanic women who experience IPV. In addition, this study identifies different levels of interventions that can be useful for researchers and healthcare providers to promote Hispanic women's ability to become empowered, use their voices, and seek help.

COVID-19 Information, Trust, and Risk Perception Across Diverse Communities in the United States: Initial Findings from a Multistate Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL).

Objectives. To provide initial findings from Community Engagement Alliance (CEAL), a multistate effort funded by the National Institutes of Health, to conduct urgent community-engaged research and outreach focused on COVID-19 awareness, education, and evidence-based response. Methods. We collected survey data (November 2020-November 2022) from 21 CEAL teams from 29 state and regional CEAL sites spanning 19 US states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, which covered priority populations served and trusted sources of information about COVID-19, including prevention behaviors, vaccination, and clinical trials. Results. A disproportionate number of respondents were Latino (45%) or Black (40%). There was considerable variability between CEAL sites regarding trusted sources of information, COVID-19 prevention, and COVID-19 vaccination. For example, more respondents (70%) reported health care providers as a trusted source of COVID-19 information than any other source (ranging from 6% to 87% by site). Conclusions. CEAL rapidly developed novel infrastructure to engage academic, public health, and community organizations to address COVID-19's impacts on underserved communities. CEAL provides an example of how to respond in future public health emergencies to quickly promote trustworthy, evidence-based information in ways that advance health equity. (Am J Public Health. 2024;114(S1):S112-S123. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2023.307504).

Sources of Well-Being for Hispanic Women Who Have Experienced Intimate Partner Violence: A Scoping Review.

Purpose: This review sought to identify and integrate available evidence on various sources of Hispanic women's well-being following intimate partner violence (IPV). Methods: The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Four peer-reviewed databases were reviewed for studies published between 2007 and 2022. The inclusion criteria include being an original research, quantitative and/or qualitative data, Hispanic women as a separate group for analysis, well-being as an outcome variable (quantitative) or phenomenon of interest (qualitative), and published in English or Spanish. Results: A total of 2,292 records were identified, and nine articles were included in the final review. Findings revealed that ensuring safety and opportunities for women's children, separating from violent partners, and obtaining a job were related to increased well-being. Other findings revealed that peer support, self-empowerment, and leadership skills were associated with interpersonal, psychological, and community well-being, respectively. Economic and occupational well-being was linked to education and financial independence. Conclusions: This scoping review advances the exploration of well-being among Hispanic women who have experienced IPV. This knowledge can be used to inform post-IPV support for Hispanic women and highlight areas for intervention development to promote well-being.

Health effects associated with exposure to intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse: a burden of proof study.

The health impacts of intimate partner violence against women and childhood sexual abuse are not fully understood. Here we conducted a systematic review by comprehensively searching seven electronic databases for literature on intimate partner violence-associated and childhood sexual abuse-associated health effects. Following the burden of proof methodology, we evaluated the evidence strength linking intimate partner violence and/or childhood sexual abuse to health outcomes supported by at least three studies. Results indicated a moderate association of intimate partner violence with major depressive disorder and with maternal abortion and miscarriage (63% and 35% increased risk, respectively). HIV/AIDS, anxiety disorders and self-harm exhibited weak associations with intimate partner violence. Fifteen outcomes were evaluated for their relationship to childhood sexual abuse, which was shown to be moderately associated with alcohol use disorders and with self-harm (45% and 35% increased risk, respectively). Associations between childhood sexual abuse and 11 additional health outcomes, such as asthma and type 2 diabetes mellitus, were found to be weak. Although our understanding remains limited by data scarcity, these health impacts are larger in magnitude and more extensive than previously reported. Renewed efforts on violence prevention and evidence-based approaches that promote healing and ensure access to care are necessary.