A Brief Depression and Anxiety Rating Scale for Sexual Violence Victims.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to develop a brief self-report measure of depressive and anxiety symptoms in victims of sexual violence. METHODS: The sample, which consisted of 215 victims and 255 healthy controls, was recruited between December 2016 and November 2018 from eight Sunflower Centers. Eligible items were selected from existing scales of depression (CES-DC and CES-D) and anxiety (SAI-C and BAI) symptoms by item-total correlation coefficients and item response theory (IRT) analysis. Internal consistency coefficients were computed and the receiver operating characteristics curve was inspected to assess the validity of the brief scale and determine optimal cutoff scores. RESULTS: The brief scales showed high internal consistency across all age groups. The optimal cutoff score of brief depression scale was 1.5 for children, 2.5 for adolescents, and 2.5 for the adults. That of brief anxiety scale was 8.5, 6.5, and 3.5, respectively. CONCLUSION: The results underscore the need for age-appropriate screening measures of depressive and anxiety symptoms in victims of sexual violence.

No Differences in Health Outcomes After Routine Inquiry About Violence Victimization in Young Women: A Randomized Controlled Study in Swedish Youth Health Centers.

Youth is a period in life when the risk of violence victimization is high and association between victimization and ill health is well established. Youth rarely reveal violence victimization to health professionals if not directly asked but favor health professionals asking about victimization. The study's primary aim was to examine health outcomes in young women being routinely asked about violence victimization and offered subsequent support, compared with controls, at 12-month follow-up. Secondary aims were to examine to what extent routine inquiry altered the consultation and re-victimization rates during the study period. A randomized controlled intervention study was conducted at Swedish youth health centers. Participants assigned to the intervention group were asked structured questions about violence. Victimized participants received empowering strategies and were offered further counseling. Participants in the control group completed questionnaires about victimization after the visit. Both groups answered questions about sociodemographics and health, constructed from validated instruments. A questionnaire was administered to all participants 12 months after baseline. Of 1,445 eligible young women, 1,051 (73%) participated, with 54% of the participants completing the 12-month follow-up. Lifetime violence victimization was reported by 53% in the intervention group and 60% in the control group, ns. There were no significant differences in health outcomes, between baseline and 12-month follow-up, within either group or between groups. Re-victimization rates were 16% in the intervention group and 12% in the control group, ns. Of victimized young women in the intervention group, 14% wanted and received further counseling. Routine inquiry about violence victimization and empowering strategies were feasible within ordinary consultations at youth health centers but did not demonstrate improved health outcomes at 12-month follow-up compared with controls. Questions about violence led to a high degree of disclosure, and 14% of victimized young women in the intervention group received further counseling as a result.

Development of Brief Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Scale for Sexual Violence Victims.

The purpose of this study was to develop a brief rating scale of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among sexual violence victims. We analyzed the data from 195 victims and 220 non-victims to select meaningful items from the original PTSD rating scales. We also examined the validity of the brief scale by assessing internal consistency and ROC curves. The optimal cutoff scores for each brief scales were obtained. The results showed that a different approach may be required for early intervention in different age groups.

Development of Brief Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Rating Scale for Sexual Violence Victims

The purpose of this study was to develop a brief rating scale of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms among sexual violence victims. We analyzed the data from 195 victims and 220 non-victims to select meaningful items from the original PTSD rating scales. We also examined the validity of the brief scale by assessing internal consistency and ROC curves. The optimal cutoff scores for each brief scales were obtained. The results showed that a different approach may be required for early intervention in different age groups.

La acreditación de la condición de víctima de violencia de género en el ordenamiento jurídico español / Accreditation of the condition of victim of gender violence in the Spanish legal system / O acreditação da condição da vítima da violência de gênero no sistema jurídico espanhol

Tras una breve exposición de las opiniones doctrinales más autorizadas acerca de la naturaleza de la violencia por razón de sexo, este documento presenta como objetivo principal el análisis de las distintas vías legales para acreditar la condición de víctima de violencia machista, requisito indispensable para el ejercicio de los derechos que la LO 1/2004 reconoce a las víctimas de esta forma específica de criminalidad. El método utilizado se basa en una selección de la normativa específica en la materia y de la doctrina jurisprudencial más destacada, cuyo estudio comparado permite concluir la existencia de una disparidad de criterios legales y jurisprudenciales en la atribución a la mujer de dicha condición, atendiendo a los distintos ámbitos en los que ha de resultar probada. En definitiva, esta situación acarrea una clara desigualdad de oportunidades a las potenciales beneficiarias del amparo reforzado e integral que esta norma promueve.

After a brief statement of the most authorized doctrinal opinions regarding the nature of violence on the grounds of sex or gender, this document shows as a main objective the analysis of the different legal channels aimed at accrediting the condition of victims of “macho” violence, since this is an essential pre-requisite for the exercise of the rights that the LO 1/200 recognizes to the victims of this specific form of criminality. The method used is based on a selection of the specific legislation on the subject and the most outstanding case law doctrine, the compared study of which lets infer a disparity of legal and jurisprudential criteria in the attribution of such condition to women, taking into account the different environments where it could be proved. In short, this situation involves an evident inequality of opportunities to the potential beneficiaries of the reinforced and integral protection this rule promotes.

Após uma exposição breve das opiniões doutrinais mais autorizadas sobre a natureza da violência por causa do sexo, este documento apresenta como objetivo principal a análise das vias legais diferentes para acreditar a condição da vítima da violência machista, requisito indispensável para o exercício dos direitos que a LO 1/2004 reconhece as vítimas deste jeito específico da criminalidade. O método usado é baseado em uma seleção da norma específica na matéria e da doutriana jurisprudencial mais proeminente, cujo estudo comparado permite que conclua a existência de uma disparidade de critérios legais e jurisprudenciais na atribuição à mulher desta circunstância, atendendo os diferentes âmbitos em que há de ser provada. Realmente, esta situação carrega uma clara desigualdade de oportunidades às beneficiárias potenciais do amparo reforçado e integral que esta norma promove.