Accessibility of intimate partner violence-related services for young women in Spain. Qualitative study on professionals' perspectives.

INTRODUCTION: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is common among young people, but the use of IPV resources among young adult women and teenagers is limited. This study aims to analyze professionals' perceptions about the main barriers and facilitators encountered by young women (16-29 years old) exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) when accessing formal services in Spain. METHODS: Qualitative study based on 17 in depth interviews carried out in 2019 with professionals who manage resources for IPV care in Madrid (Spain) from different sectors (social services, health care, security forces, women or youth issues offices, associations). A qualitative content analysis was conducted. RESULTS: The professionals interviewed perceive the following barriers: 1) Time it takes for young women to recognize IPV because the social construction of sexual-affective relationships is permeated by gender inequality; 2) The process of leaving a situation of abuse; 3) Barriers inherent to IPV services. The key aspects to improve access to these resources are related to care services, professional practice, and the young women themselves. CONCLUSIONS: There are both psychosocial barriers, derived from the process of leaving a situation of violence, as well as structural barriers for young women to access and properly use the recognized services specifically aimed at them or comprehensive IPV care. Services need to be tailored to the needs of young women so they can be truly effective in order to escape IPV.

[Sexual violence and young people: "it is not something you are born with, but with what you learn"]. / Violencia sexual y jóvenes: «no es algo con lo que naces, sino con lo que aprendes¼.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the perceptions and experiences of young people in Spain about sexual violence (SV), its possible causes, victims and perpetrators.. METHOD: Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 22 young people between 18 and 24 years old. A qualitative content analysis was carried out. RESULTS: In the juvenile narratives, the lack of definition and accuracy about what SV is stands out, except for mentioning rape, lack of consent and use of force in sexual relations. The girls, self-perceived as the main victims, also break with these narratives by providing a broader vision and gender inequalities related. In general, the most prevailed idea is that VS is perpetrated by men against women in heterosexual relationships inside and outside the couple. Regarding explanations, references coexist to both contextual factors (linked to gender inequalities and the social construction of sexual relationships) and behavioural factors (which includes the viewing of pornography). Tentatively proposals for improvement related to sexual and affective education emerge. CONCLUSIONS: In the perceptions of the young people, ambiguity seems to coexist with explicit references to the different ways in which it manifests itself and the influence of gender inequalities. Sex and life experience appear to influence these narratives. It is necessary to promote a more critical perspective on the social construction of SV and intimate relationships in the young population.

Pornography, sexual orientation and ambivalent sexism in young adults in Spain.

BACKGROUND: On line platforms offer access to an almost unlimited variety of pornographic material that shows high levels of sexism. Despite this fact, there are still few studies that assess the effect of pornography on sexism in young adults The aim of this study is to analyze the association of pornography consumption and sexual orientation with benevolent sexism (BS) and hostile sexism (HS) in young men and women. METHODS: We surveyed 2,346 people aged 18-35 years old. Multiple regression models were carried out for BS and HS. The independent variables: current pornography consumption and sexual orientation. Covariates: socio-demographic variables -age, sex, level of education and place of birth-. RESULTS: A) HS: Men who consumed pornography had higher median values of HS than those who did not [ß(95%CI):2.39(0.67;4.10)]. Homosexual/ bisexual men displayed lower values of HS than heterosexual men [ß(95%CI):-2.98(-4.52;-1.45)]. The increase in HS levels associated with pornography consumption was notably greater in homosexual and bisexual women relative to heterosexual women, where that pattern was not observed [ß(95%CI for interaction): 2.27(0.11; 4.43)]. B) BS: Mean values of BS were observed to be lower for both women [ß(95%CI):-2.16(-2.99;-1.32)] and men [ß(95%CI):-4.30(-5.75;-2.86)] who consumed pornography compared to those who did not. Homosexual/bisexual men recorded mean values of BS lower than heterosexual men [ß(95%CI):-3.10(-4.21;-1.99)]. CONCLUSIONS: Pornography consumption is related to sexism and differs according to sex and sexual orientation. As sexism is the substratum of inequality between men and women, it is urgent to launch affective-sexual education programs for young people that take into account the determinants of sexism.

Violencia sexual y jóvenes: «no es algo con lo que naces, sino con lo que aprendes» / Sexual violence and young people: “it is not something you are born with, but with what you learn”

Objetivo: Analizar las percepciones y experiencias de la población joven en España sobre la violencia sexual (VS), sus posibles causas, víctimas y perpetradores. Método: Estudio cualitativo basado en entrevistas semiestructuradas a 22 jóvenes de entre 18 y 24 años. Se llevó a cabo un análisis del contenido cualitativo. Resultados: En las narrativas juveniles destacan la indefinición y la inconcreción sobre lo que es la VS, excepto cuando mencionan la violación, la falta de consentimiento y el uso de la fuerza en las relaciones sexuales. Las chicas, interpeladas como principales víctimas, aportan una visión más amplia y vinculada a las desigualdades de género. En general, predomina la idea de que la VS es perpetrada por hombres contra mujeres en relaciones heterosexuales dentro y fuera de la pareja. En las explicaciones, conviven las referencias a factores tanto contextuales (ligados a las desigualdades de género y la construcción social de las relaciones sexuales) como conductuales (que incluyen el visionado de pornografía). También emergen algunas estrategias relacionadas con la educación sexual y afectiva. Conclusiones: En las percepciones de las personas jóvenes participantes en este estudio parecen convivir la ambigüedad con referencias explícitas a las diferentes formas en las que se manifiesta la VS y la influencia de las desigualdades de género. El sexo y la experiencia vital parecen influir en estas narrativas. Se requiere el fomento de una perspectiva más crítica sobre la construcción social de la VS y las relaciones íntimas en la población joven.(AU)

Objective: To analyse the perceptions and experiences of young people in Spain about sexual violence (SV), its possible causes, victims and perpetrators.Method: Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 22 young people between 18 and 24 years old. A qualitative content analysis was carried out. Results: In the juvenile narratives, the lack of definition and accuracy about what SV is stands out, except for mentioning rape, lack of consent and use of force in sexual relations. The girls, self-perceived as the main victims, also break with these narratives by providing a broader vision and gender inequalities related. In general, the most prevailed idea is that VS is perpetrated by men against women in heterosexual relationships inside and outside the couple. Regarding explanations, references coexist to both contextual factors (linked to gender inequalities and the social construction of sexual relationships) and behavioural factors (which includes the viewing of pornography). Tentatively proposals for improvement related to sexual and affective education emerge. Conclusions: In the perceptions of the young people, ambiguity seems to coexist with explicit references to the different ways in which it manifests itself and the influence of gender inequalities. Sex and life experience appear to influence these narratives. It is necessary to promote a more critical perspective on the social construction of SV and intimate relationships in the young population.(AU)

COVID-19 and sexual violence against women: A qualitative study about young people and professionals' perspectives in Spain.

There is an increasing awareness of the magnitude of different forms of sexual violence (SV), especially in relation to youth. The COVID-19 pandemic has also had a negative impact on different forms of violence against women. In this study, we aim to analyse SV in the COVID-19 lockdown among young people and SV-related services from the perspective of professionals and young people from different sectors in Spain with responsibilities in attending SV and other forms of violence against women-related. A qualitative content analysis was performed on semi-structured interviews with 23 women and men aged 18 to 24 and 15 professionals working with youth and/or in violence against women or sexual violence related services. The sample was from northern, eastern and central regions of Spain. According to the professionals' experience, the COVID-19 lockdown lessened their ability to work on violence prevention. Both informants perceived that sexual violence had decreased in public spaces whereas it increased in digital ones and noticed the silence surrounding violent situations had deepened. However, they differed regarding its impact on sexual violence within intimate partners, mainly due to the lack of awareness of this problem among young men. In regard to violence against women and sexual violence, our results highlight the need to develop protocols for action and improve resource accessibility in crisis contexts.

Is sexual attraction and place of origin a moderator of sex in pornography consumption? Cross-sectional study on a representative sample of young adults.

BACKGROUND: Pornography consumption is higher in men, but we do not know if this association can be modified by different variables, such as sexual attraction and place of origin. Given the impact pornography has on minors, there are limited studies that analyze the use of pornography in representative samples of the adult population. The aim was analyze the prevalence and factors associated with using pornography in young adult men and women, living in Spain, with different sexual attractions and different places of birth. METHODS: Cross-sectional study with an online survey conducted with 2515 men and women aged between 18 and 35 years of age. The prevalence of pornography consumption is described and analyzed in the total sample and stratified by sex, according to socio-demographic and sexual attraction variables. The association between covariates and pornography consumption at some point in life was estimated with prevalence ratios (PR) obtained with the Poisson models of robust variance. DEPENDENT VARIABLE: voluntarily using pornography at some point in life. Socio-demographic variables were included in the analysis: age, sex, level of education, place of birth. Sexual attraction was also analyzed. RESULTS: In Spain, 94.7% of men between 18 and 34 years and 74.6% of women have voluntarily used pornography at some point in their life. The mean age to start using it is earlier in men [Mean:14.2; Standard Deviation (SD):2.3]. Bisexual/homosexual attraction (reference: heterosexual) increases the probability of using pornography in women [(PR (95%CI): 1.30 (1.22; 1.38)]. Yet this is not observed in men. In both sexes, the probability of using pornography increases with age [(PR (95%CI): 1.01(1.00; 1.01)] and coming from abroad (reference: native), being the effect of country of birth significantly higher in women [(PR (95%CI): 1.17 (1.09; 1.26)] than in men [(PR (95%CI): 1.04 (1.01; 1.07). CONCLUSIONS: Public health programmes aimed at improving affective-sexual health should consider the high use of pornography among young adults in Spain, as well as those variables that increase its use.

Intimate partner violence complaints during COVID-19 lockdown in Spain: a cross-sectional and a case-control study.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 lockdown, a large proportion of the women exposed to intimate partner violence had to live with their abusers full-time. This study analyzes the new official complaints that were filed during the lockdown in Spain. METHODS: Data from the Comprehensive Monitoring System for Cases of Gender Violence from the Ministry of the Interior, Spain. Using logistic regression models, the complaints registered during the lockdown were compared to those registered in the previous year. Subsequently, we analysed association between the seriousness of the incident reported and the period in which the complaint was filed. RESULTS: Official complaints decreased by 19% during the lockdown. The probability of complaints during lockdown mainly increased when victims had a relationship with the abusers [odds ratio (OR) = 1.33] and when they lacked social support (OR = 1.22). The probability that the complaints were associated with previous jealousy (OR = 0.87), previous harassment behaviours (OR = 0.88) or the victim's fear for minors' safety (OR = 0.87) decreased. In addition, during lockdown increased the probability that the complaints filed were due to incidents of severe physical violence (OR = 1.17); severe psychological violence against women with minors in their charge (OR = 1.22); and severe violence due to threats (OR = 1.53) when the woman had previously suffered harassment. CONCLUSIONS: The decrease in new complaints during the studied period and the increase in their severity evidence difficulties in seeking help due to the lockdown. In situations of confinement, it is necessary to design measures that protect women with a lack of social support, and at those who live with the aggressor.

Promoting Positive Masculinities to Address Violence Against Women: A Multicountry Concept Mapping Study.

Interventions engaging men that challenge unequal gender norms have been shown to be effective in reducing violence against women (VAW). However, few studies have explored how to promote anti-VAW positive masculinity in young adults. This study aims to identify key multicountry strategies, as conceived by young adults and other stakeholders, for promoting positive masculinities to improve gender equity and prevent and target VAW. This study (2019-2021) involved young adults (aged 18-24 years) and stakeholders from Ireland, Israel, Spain, and Sweden. We applied concept mapping, a participatory mixed-method approach, in phases: (1) brainstorming, using semi-structured interviews with young adults (n = 105) and stakeholders (n = 60), plus focus group discussions (n = 88), to collect ideas for promoting anti-VAW positive masculinity; (2) development of an online questionnaire for sorting (n = 201) and rating ideas emerging from brainstorming by importance (n = 406) and applicability (n = 360); (3) based on sorting and rating data, creating rating maps for importance and applicability and clusters/strategies using multidimensional scaling and hierarchical cluster analysis with groupwisdom™ software; and (4) interpretation of results with multicountry stakeholders to reach agreement. The cluster map identified seven key strategies (41 actions) for promoting anti-VAW positive masculinities ranked from highest to lowest: Formal and informal education and training; Preventive education and activities in different settings/areas; Skills and knowledge; Empathy, reflection, and understanding; Media and public efforts; Policy, legislation, and the criminal justice system; and Organizational actions and interventions. Pattern matches indicated high agreement between young people and stakeholders in ranking importance (r = 0.96), but low agreement for applicability (r = 0.60). Agreement in the total sample on prioritizing statements by importance and applicability was also low (r = 0.20); only 14 actions were prioritized as both important and applicable. Young people and stakeholders suggested seven comprehensive, multidimensional, multi-setting strategies to facilitate promoting positive masculinity to reduce VAW. Discrepancy between importance and applicability might indicate policy and implementation obstacles.

Positive Masculinities and Gender-Based Violence Educational Interventions Among Young People: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Hegemonic masculinity has been recognized as contributing to the perpetration of different forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Abandoning hegemonic masculinities and promoting positive masculinities are both strategies used by interventions that foreground a "gender-transformative approach." Preventing GBV among young people could be strengthened by engaging young men. In this article, we aim to systematically review the primary characteristics, methodological quality, and results of published evaluation studies of educational interventions that aim to prevent different forms of GBV through addressing hegemonic masculinities among young people. MAIN BODY: We conducted a systematic review of available literature (2008-2019) using Medline (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, PsycInfo, the CINAHL Complete Database, and ERIC as well as Google scholar. The Template for Intervention Description and Replication was used for data extraction, and the quality of the selected studies was analyzed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool. More than half of the studies were conducted in Africa (n = 10/15) and many were randomized controlled trials (n = 8/15). Most of the studies with quantitative and qualitative methodologies (n = 12/15) reported a decrease in physical GBV and/or sexual violence perpetration/victimization (n = 6/15). Longitudinal studies reported consistent results over time. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight the importance of using a gender-transformative approach in educational interventions to engage young people in critical thinking about hegemonic masculinity and to prevent GBV.

Sexismo y violencia de pareja en adolescentes / Sexism and intimate partner violence in adolescents

Objetivo: A pesar de los esfuerzos para reducir la desigualdad de género, el sexismo persiste. Todavía son escasos los estudios sobre este fenómeno que contemplen variables como el deseo sexual o los antecedentes migratorios. El objetivo del estudio es analizar las circunstancias sociales (individuales y del contexto inmediato) asociadas al sexismo y su relación con la conducta violenta en la pareja en población adolescente. Método: Estudio transversal con 1421 estudiantes de 13 a 17 años de Alicante y Terrassa (2019-2020). El sexismo se midió mediante el Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, que valora el sexismo ambivalente, hostil y benevolente. Se utilizaron modelos lineales generalizados estratificados por sexo para identificar variables asociadas al sexismo, y regresión logística para analizar la asociación del sexismo con la conducta violenta en la pareja. Resultados: La probabilidad de puntuar alto en sexismo ambivalente fue mayor en migrantes (chicas y chicos: p < 0,01) e hijos/as de migrantes (chicas: p < 0,01; chicos: p < 0,05). El deseo no heterosexual se asoció negativamente con el sexismo en chicas (benevolente: p < 0,01) y en chicos (ambivalente y hostil: p < 0,01; benevolente: p < 0,05). El sexismo hostil mostró asociación con cometer violencia de pareja, independientemente del resto de las variables, tanto en chicas (odds ratio [OR]: 1,07; intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%]: 1,00-1,14) como en chicos (OR: 1,11; IC95%: 1,03-1,20). Conclusiones: El sexismo está presente entre adolescentes y se confirma su relación con la conducta violenta en la pareja. El deseo sexual y los antecedentes migratorios son variables a tener en cuenta en su prevención. (AU)

Objective: Despite the efforts to reduce gender inequality, sexism persists. There are still few studies on this matter that consider variables such as sexual desire or migration background. The aim of this study is to analyse the social circumstances (individual and from the immediate context) associated with sexism as well as its relationship with intimate partner violence perpetration amongst adolescents. Method: Cross-sectional study with 1421 students aged 13–17 from Alicante and Terrassa (2019–2021). Sexism was measured with the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, which assesses ambivalent, hostile and benevolent sexism. Generalized linear models were carried out and stratified by sex to identify variables associated with sexism. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between sexism and intimate partner violence. Results: The likelihood of a high score in ambivalent sexism was higher in migrants (girls and boys: p < 0.01) and adolescents with migrant parents (girls: p < 0.01; boys: p < 0.05). Non-heterosexual desire was negatively associated with sexism in girls (benevolent: p < 0.01) and boys (ambivalent and hostile: p < 0.01; benevolent: p < 0.05). Hostile sexism showed association with intimate partner violence perpetration, independently of the rest of the adjustment variables included in the model, for both girls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.00–1.14) and boys (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03–1.20). Conclusions: Sexism is present amongst teenagers and its relationship with intimate partner violence is confirmed. Sexual desire and migration background should be taken into account for intimate partner violence prevention. (AU)

Disclosing Gender-Based Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Professionals' and Women's Perspectives through a Discursive Approach.

Supporting women to disclose gender-based violence (GBV) is a central feature of how healthcare and other welfare services address this problem. In this paper we take a discursive approach to analyse the process of disclosing GBV from the perspectives of young women who have been subjected to GBV and professionals working in the welfare system. Through a reflective thematic analysis of 13 interviews with young women who have been subjected to GBV and 17 with professionals working in different sectors of the welfare system, we developed four themes about how disclosure is perceived: (i) as a conversation between acquaintances; (ii) as 'no solution'; (iii) as a possible prerequisite for action; and (iv) as difficult because GBV is normalised. Even if disclosure is not the solution per se, it makes it possible to respond institutionally to GBV on an individual basis through the figure of the expert professional who is alert to signs, knows how to support disclosure, and has the power to legitimate women's claims of GBV. We acknowledge the possibilities that supporting disclosure brings for women subjected to GBV, but at the same time, problematise that it can re-centre expertise in the professional and place the responsibility on women.

Prevalence of sexual harassment among young Spaniards before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown period in Spain.

BACKGROUND: Sexual harassment is a type of coercion, including social pressure, intimidation, physical force, and verbal acts, in addition to other forms such as cyber-harassment, recognized as a major important public health problem. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, based on a survey administered online to men and women aged 18 to 35 years and living in Spain throughout 15th and 28th October 2020, aims to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with sexual harassment among young people in Spain within the last 12 months, particularly according to the COVID-19 lockdown period. It has been conducted by bivariate analysis and robust Poisson regression models. The final sample includes 2.515 participants. RESULTS: The results indicate that women were almost twice as likely as men to experience sexual harassment (49% vs 22.2%). Also, among heterosexual men and women, the estimated prevalence was lower concerning that observed among bisexuals, gays, and lesbians (31.5% vs 53, 39.2, and 34.6% respectively). The prevalence percentage in the 18-24 age group was twice high as that observed in the 30-35 age group. Finally, during the lockdown period, the harassment through electronic channels increased (32.6% vs 16.5 and 17.8% before and after this period, respectively) and decreased on public roads (22.9% vs 63.4 and 54.4% pre-lockdown and post-lockdown periods, respectively). CONCLUSION: These findings highlight that sexual harassment presents a high prevalence among young people, especially cyber-harassment, and workplace harassment and it is important to be aware that young women are more likely to suffer harassment and even more if they do not have a partner or have LGB orientation. During the lockdown sexual harassment has moved from public spaces to the social network.

"It Works for Me": Pseudotherapy Use is Associated With Trust in Their Efficacy Rather Than Belief in Their Scientific Validity.

Objectives: To identify how perceptions, attitudes, and beliefs towards pseudotherapies, health, medicine, and the public health system influence the pseudotherapy use in Spain. Methods: We carried out a cross-sectional study using the Survey of Social Perception of Science and Technology-2018 (5,200 interviews). Dependent variable: ever use of pseudotherapies. Covariables: attitude towards medicine, health and public health system; perceived health; assessment of the scientific character of homeopathy/acupuncture. The association was estimated using prevalence ratios obtained by Poisson regression models. The model was adjusted for age and socioeconomic variables. Results: Pseudotherapy use was higher in women (24.9%) than in men (14.2%) (p < 0.001). The probability of use in men (p < 0.001) and women (p < 0.001) increases with the belief in pseudotherapies' usefulness. Among men, a proactive attitude (reference: passive) towards medicine and health (RP:1.3), and a negative (reference: positive) assessment of the quality of the public health system increased use-probability (RP:1.2). For women, poor health perceived (referencie: good) increased likelihood of use (RP:1.2). Conclusion: Pseudotherapy use in Spain was associated with confidence in its usefulness irrespective of users' assessment of its scientific validity.

[Sexism and intimate partner violence in adolescents]. / Sexismo y violencia de pareja en adolescentes.

OBJECTIVE: Despite the efforts to reduce gender inequality, sexism persists. There are still few studies on this matter that consider variables such as sexual desire or migration background. The aim of this study is to analyse the social circumstances (individual and from the immediate context) associated with sexism as well as its relationship with intimate partner violence perpetration amongst adolescents. METHOD: Cross-sectional study with 1421 students aged 13-17 from Alicante and Terrassa (2019-2021). Sexism was measured with the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory, which assesses ambivalent, hostile and benevolent sexism. Generalized linear models were carried out and stratified by sex to identify variables associated with sexism. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between sexism and intimate partner violence. RESULTS: The likelihood of a high score in ambivalent sexism was higher in migrants (girls and boys: p<0.01) and adolescents with migrant parents (girls: p<0.01; boys: p<0.05). Non-heterosexual desire was negatively associated with sexism in girls (benevolent: p<0.01) and boys (ambivalent and hostile: p<0.01; benevolent: p<0.05). Hostile sexism showed association with intimate partner violence perpetration, independently of the rest of the adjustment variables included in the model, for both girls (odds ratio [OR]: 1.07; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.00-1.14) and boys (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.03-1.20). CONCLUSIONS: Sexism is present amongst teenagers and its relationship with intimate partner violence is confirmed. Sexual desire and migration background should be taken into account for intimate partner violence prevention.

Effect of the Lights4Violence intervention on the sexism of adolescents in European countries.

BACKGROUND: Sexism results in a number of attitudes and behaviors that contribute to gender inequalities in social structure and interpersonal relationships. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Lights4Violence, an intervention program based on promoting health assets to reduce sexist attitudes in young European people. METHODS: We carried out a quasi-experimental study in a non-probabilistic population of 1146 students, aged 12-17 years. The dependent variables were the difference in the wave 1 and wave 2 values in the subscales of the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory: benevolent sexism (BS) and hostile sexism (HS). The effect of the intervention was evaluated through linear regression analyses stratified by sex. The models were adjusted by baseline subscales scores, socio-demographic and psychological variables. RESULTS: In girls, we observed a decrease in BS in the intervention group compared to the control group (ß = - 0.101; p = 0.006). In the wave2,, BS decreased more in the intervention group compared to the control group in girls with mothers with a low level of education (ß = - 0.338; p = 0.001), with a high level of social support (ß = - 0.251; p < 0.001), with greater capacity for conflict resolution (ß = - 0.201; p < 0.001) and lower levels of aggressiveness (ß = - 0.232, p < 0.001). In boys, the mean levels of HS and BH decreased in wave 2 in both the control and intervention groups. The changes observed after the wave 2 were the same in the control group and in the intervention group. No significant differences were identified between both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The implementation of the Lights4Violence was associated with a significant reduction in BS in girls, which highlights the potential of interventions aimed at supporting the personal competencies and social support. It is necessary to reinforce the inclusion of educational contents that promote reflection among boys about the role of gender and the meaning of the attributes of masculinity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov : NCT03411564 . Unique Protocol ID: 776905. Date registered: 26-01-2018.

Evaluation of the lights4violence program: reduction in machismo and acceptance of violence among adolescents in Europe.

BACKGROUND: Machismo and acceptance of violence (AV) against women are part of the social construction of hegemonic masculinity and are related to the risk of dating violence. This study aims to analyze the effectiveness of the Lights4Violence program in reducing machismo and AV in secondary school students from different European cities. METHODS: Quasi-experimental longitudinal study using a convenience sample of 1,146 high school students from different European cities (12-17 years old) including 575 intervention group students (59.1% girls) and 571 control group students (62.7% girls). We performed linear regression models to identify the effect of the intervention, modelling the difference in means in machismo and AV (dependent variables) between wave-2 and wave-1. RESULTS: An interaction was identified between the group variable and the empathy variable. In wave-2, girls with high empathy at baseline in the intervention group obtained lower mean AV scores (ß: -0.131; p = 0.004). However, the boys in the intervention group (reference: control group) with low empathy at baseline registered a significant increase in the mean values of machismo (ß: 0.247; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The importance of empathy is shown in the effectiveness of interventions to reduce machismo and AV in adolescents. While the Lights4Violence program focuses on promoting healthy relationships, there were some controversial results. It is possible that some children, especially those with less empathy, may have felt "challenged" during the intervention and/or assessment. This suggests the need for the development of interventions that also consider psychological processes and integrate the promotion of positive expressions of masculinity.

Do we have friendly services to meet the needs of young women exposed to intimate partner violence in the Madrid region?

INTRODUCTION: Women experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) do not tend to go very frequently to formal support services. The objective of this study is to identify barriers related to the accessibility, acceptability, equity, appropriateness and effectiveness of IPV services from the perspective of the professionals working in the IPV public services. METHODS: A qualitative study was carried out in the Madrid region based on 13 semi-structured interviews of young women who had survived IPV as well as 17 interviews with professionals. A thematic content analysis was performed, guided by the dimensions proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO) for friendly services for young people. RESULTS: From the perspective of the young women and professionals, barriers were identified for all the dimensions of the WHO's friendly services for young people: accessibility: lack of information and support from the social setting, scarce dissemination of the services, economic cost, non-adapted schedules, inadequate locations or lack of services in settings close to young people; acceptability: lack of protocols to guarantee confidentiality, lack of speed in the provision of services or their referral, unwelcoming environments or unsympathetic professional malpractice; equity: discriminatory professional attitudes towards groups with different social status and lack of protocols to ensure the care of these groups; appropriateness: unmet needs and lack of multidisciplinary teams; and effectiveness: shortage of time, resources, competent professionals, protocols and coordination. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies are needed to make the necessary changes to promote friendly services for the care of young people exposed to IPV. Additionally, it must be emphasized that resources are needed to raise awareness and disseminate IPV services, as well as to train professionals in this area. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: This paper is based on professionals' perspectives of public IPV-related services of different areas such as Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Psychiatry, Social Education and young women exposed to IPV. They either work in the public administration at the local, regional or state level or in NGOs in Spain.

Spanish Intimate Partner Violence Survivors Help-Seeking Strategies Across the Life Span.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) and its associated factors may vary according to women's age. In this study, we analyze the effect of age on help-seeking behavior and the associated factors among women exposed to IPV in Spain. Using the Spanish Macrosurvey on Gender Violence of 2014, we analyzed the frequency of help-seeking behavior (police report, formal resources, and informal networks of support) in women who were exposed to lifetime physical/sexual or fear-based IPV (n = 1,567 women). We used Poisson regression models to obtain variables associated with support resources. The analysis was carried out in three age groups: young women (16-29 years old), adults (30-49 years old), and older women (50 years and over). Our results show that informal support networks are the most used resource by all women´s age groups. The probability of filing a police complaint increases among women exposured to physical IPV (PRadult : 1.58; PRelder : 2.17 ). The probability of using formal resources decreased among older women with low family socioeconomic status (PR: 0.80) and in adult women exposed to sexual IPV (PR: 0.78), and increased among young women and adult Spanish women (PRyoung: 1.65; PRadult: 1.34). The use of informal support networks increased among adult women with physical and mental health effects (PR: 1.22). In older women use of informal support networks was associated with the type of IPV (PRphysical: 1.14; PRsexual: 0.88). The presence of minors who witnessed IPV increased help-seeking behavior among adult and older women.In conclusion, the knowledge of the differences in help-seeking strategies by women in different age groups could contribute to designing strategies to promote women's ability to seek formal help when exposed to IPV.

Prevalence and associated factors with sexual violence victimisation youth before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown: a cross-sectional study in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To analyse the prevalence of sexual violence (SV) and associated factors in Spanish young adults in the last year and before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study based on the online 'SV in Young People Survey' (2020). SETTING: Non-institutionalised population residing in Spain. PARTICIPANTS: 2515 men and women aged 18-35 years old. The participants were obtained from a probability based, online closed panel of adults aged 16 or older that is representative of the non-institutionalised population. The sample designed includes quotas by sex, age, region and country of origin. OUTCOMES MEASURES AND ANALYSES: SV victimisation by sociodemographics, sexual attraction and couple-related characteristics during the past year and before, during and after the COVID-19 lockdown (March-June 2020). Prevalence ratios were calculated using robust Poisson regression models. RESULTS: In Spain, 8.5% of young people experienced SV during the past year. The greatest prevalence was observed in women with bisexual attraction (17.5%) and in men with homosexual attraction (14.2%). During the COVID-19 lockdown, the prevalence of SV victimisation was lower (1.9%), but unwanted intercourses increased, affecting 64.4% of those exposed to SV during the period. People with homosexual or bisexual attraction were more likely to experience SV in all of the studied periods (PRbefore: 2.01; p<0.001; PRduring: 2.63 p=0.002; PRafter: 2.67; p<0.001). Women were more likely than men to experience SV prior to the lockdown, while no cohabitation increased the likelihood to experience SV after this period CONCLUSIONS: SV victimisation in Spanish youth is high. During COVID-19, there were changes in the magnitude of factors associated with SV. It seems that SV events decreased in people who did not live with their partners, but unwanted intercourses increased. The development of prevention strategies to address SV in youth should take into account social inequalities by sex, sexual orientation and origin.