Forensic psychological procedures in cases of technology-facilitated sexual abuse among adolescents: A scoping review.

Technology-facilitated sexual abuse refers to the use of information and communication technologies to facilitate both virtual and in-person sexual crimes. Research on this topic has focused on rates, risk factors, and consequences. This scoping review aims to understand whether and how forensic psychological procedures are adapted to assess adolescent victims and how Internet-based information might be useful as complementary data. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extensions for Scoping Reviews guidelines, searches were conducted in April 2023 in five electronic databases to include Portuguese, Spanish, or English quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-method peer-reviewed studies. Of the 2523 studies, six were considered eligible. Identified procedures include forensic interviews following the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development Protocol, and risk and trauma assessments. While discussing technology's role in abuse during interviews was informative, confronting adolescents with evidence of their abuse had adverse effects on their testimony and recovery. The assessment tools often had a narrow focus or overlooked the abuse unless explicitly disclosed, implied a referral, or when safeguarding concerns were raised. Clinical, forensic, and criminal implications are elaborated.

Forensic Interview Techniques in Child Sexual Abuse Cases: A Scoping Review.

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is widely recognized as a global public health problem with negative consequences for victims, their families, and society. The child's testimony is essential to the case outcome, given the frequent absence of physical or biological evidence of the abusive acts. Thus, the child forensic interview plays a decisive role in criminal investigation. The present scoping review aims to identify and describe the judicial procedures for collecting CSA victims' testimony using an evidence-based approach and a structured methodology. The review followed Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis-Scoping Review guidelines. Studies were identified through manual reference checking and in four electronic databases: PsycARTICLES, PubMed, SCOPUS, and Web of Science. In all, 146 studies were identified according to the defined inclusion criteria, that is, empirical studies identifying judicial procedures to collect CSA victims' testimony, published in English or Portuguese. In total, 30 different forensic interview procedures to collect the child victim's testimony were found. The National Institute for Child Health and Human Development investigative interview protocol was the most frequently mentioned. Despite the variety of protocols, it was possible to conclude that they have a similar general structure. This review also identified gaps in interviewing practices with CSA victims. The scoping review corroborates the importance of forensic interviews with CSA victims, stating its implications for criminal investigation, the legal system, and the child's recovery process.

Intimate Partner Homicide: Comparison Between Homicide and Homicide-Suicide in Portugal.

Intimate partner homicide (IPH) is a tragic event. Studies involving the comparison between IPH and intimate partner homicide-suicide (IPH-S) are scarce, with few studies in Portugal about this issue. The current study aims to compare IPH and IPH-S perpetrators, the victim-perpetrator relationships dynamics, and homicide circumstances. The data was collected through the analysis of 78 judicial processes of IPH that occurred in Portugal, between 2010 and 2015. Of the cases, 51 were IPH, 20 were IPH-S cases, and seven were attempted suicide cases, being perpetrated in 84.6% (n = 66) for male perpetrators. Suicide after intimate homicide were all committed by men. All judicial processes analyzed refer to heterosexual relationships. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to compare the groups concerning perpetrator and victim sociodemographic characteristics, victim-perpetrator dyadic dynamics, and crime circumstances. The results show mostly common trends between the two groups with some differentiating factors when compared individually (e.g., perpetrator professional status, criminal records). Regression logistic analysis showed no differences between IPH and IPH-S.

Interpartner Agreement on Intimate Partner Violence Reports: Evidence From a Community Sample of Different-Sex Couples.

An accurate assessment of intimate partner violence (IPV) is crucial to guide public policy and intervention. The Conflict Tactic Scales Revised (CTS-2) is one of the most widely used instruments to do so. Despite its good psychometric properties, research on interpartner agreement has pointed to low-to-moderate estimates, which generated some concerns about the validity of the results obtained through single-partner reports. This cross-sectional study introduces indexes that have not previously been used to assess interpartner agreement. Both partners' reports on perpetration and victimization were analyzed in a community sample of 268 different-sex couples. Our results generally pointed to better agreement levels on IPV occurrence than frequency, suggesting that the proxy method (i.e., using a single-partner report) could be a reliable method for assessing IPV occurrence but not its frequency in this population. Findings are discussed as well as the advantages and constraints of different IPV assessment practices.

(Un)Acknowledgment of Men as Victims of Intimate Partner Violence.

Some victims of interpersonal violence do not acknowledge or label their experience as criminal. This study aims to explore men's experiences as victims of intimate partner violence and identify the key elements that contribute to their (un)acknowledgment and needs. We interviewed 10 Portuguese male victims in heterosexual relationships who requested formal help. A thematic analysis was performed using NVivo 11. Social gender discourses and expectations prevented men from acknowledging their intimate victimization and created barriers to seeking help. Participants struggled to achieve the social status of the victim and to gain access to intervention measures. These findings reflect the invisibility and insufficient social awareness of intimate partner violence against men and enhance our understanding of the need of those men.

Clinical profiles and factors associated with treatment initiation in survivors of sex trafficking: A comparison with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about formal help-seeking for mental health issues in survivors of human sex trafficking (ST) and if their experiences are different from those initiating treatment for sexual assault (SA) or domestic violence (DV). This study sought to characterize the clinical and trauma profiles of treatment-seeking survivors of ST as compared with DV and SA and the predictors of mental health treatment initiation in these three groups. METHOD: The research was based on a secondary data analysis of data gathered from 1,264 treatment-seeking adults from a community mental health treatment facility in the United States. RESULTS: Compared with DV and SA survivors, ST survivors were significantly younger, female, Black, single, unemployed, completed less than high school, and were from the United States. Despite the presence of clinical symptoms among all three groups, findings suggest significant differences in clinical and trauma profiles, with ST survivors reporting lower levels of mental health symptomology compared to DV and SA survivors. Older age (OR = 1.03, 95% CI [1.01, 1.05]), female sex (OR = 3.03, 95% CI [1.89, 4.88]), employment (OR = 0.40, 95% CI [0.24, 0.66]), and better social relationships (OR = 1.09, 95% CI [1.01, 1.16]) were significantly associated with treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: This research highlights some important predictors of formal help-seeking, including perceived social relationships. Assessing for support systems in these three groups of survivors of interpersonal violence early when engaging survivors is recommended. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Addressing the psychological trauma in human trafficking victims: A brief review.

OBJECTIVE: This systematic review of the literature aims to systematize the current knowledge on psychological treatments implemented with trafficked children and adults, specifically exploring their effect on the mental health recovery of victims. Integrating this information is an important step to informing practice, as well as examining gaps in the literature and enlightening future research. METHOD: A systematic search was conducted of five electronic databases for journal articles published until October 2019. This study followed the protocol based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (Moher et al., 2009) recommendations. RESULTS: The search yielded six articles for inclusion in the review. Evidence for the efficacy of interventions to increase the mental health recovery of victims is inconclusive as most studies presented a range of methodology limitations, which in turn are related to difficulties with causal inferences and low external validity. CONCLUSION: There is a need for further research in this area to increase informed practices and interventions with human trafficking victims. Implications for practice and research are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Cyber-harassment victimization of Portuguese adolescents: A lifestyle-routine activities theory approach.

Cyber-harassment refers to a pattern of repeated, intentional, and unwanted annoyances, impositions, threats, or other aggravating actions mediated by Information and Communication Technologies. Globally, substantial proportions of adolescents experience cyber-harassment, resulting in a host of deleterious health-related consequences. This study tested the empirical utility of the Lifestyle-Routine Activities Theory in accounting for adolescent cyber-victimization. A representative sample of 627 adolescents, aged 12-16, enrolled in schools from northern Portugal and Azores, were surveyed. Consistent with the theoretical assumptions, older adolescents, who used tablets, published information on social network profiles, added unknown people as friends, met face-to-face with them, and had parents with less knowledge of their online contacts were at increased risk of being cyber-victimized. Theoretical and practical implications are elaborated.

Post break-up stalking: Police-officers' perceptions.

Stalking is characterized by persistent unwanted behaviors and can disrupt the lives of victims. Its prevalence has been increasing with time. Due to the recent criminalization of stalking in Portugal and its being an understudied phenomenon, the objective of this study is to assess the perceptions of police officers (n = 1212) about stalking post intimate relationship breakup. We developed an adaptation of the questionnaire "Reasonable Perceptions of Stalking", using vignettes that describe stalking scenarios with the manipulation of severity, and victim and perpetrator sex. The main effects of severity, as well as the victim and the perpetrator's sex, were significant intrasubject variables in the perceptions of stalking and its severity, criminality, victim alert, fear of violence, victim-blaming, and the need for intervention. Participants' sex, previous training, and personal and/or professional experience with stalking were also significant variables concerning participants' perceptions. Our findings show that gender stereotypes are still perpetuated and have important implications for police officer training and intervention.

The Prevalence, Directionality, and Dyadic Perpetration Types of Intimate Partner Violence in a Community Sample in Portugal: a Gender-Inclusive Inquiry.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major concern across the world, and its prevalence assessment has been a priority in numerous countries. However, data about IPV prevalence in Portugal is scarce and not up-to-date. This study aims to estimate IPV prevalence in Portugal. A community sample of 1392 adults (77.4% female, mean age = 34.95 years, SD = 12.80) was collected through a web-based survey, between March and June of 2020. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire and the Conflict Tactic Scales-2 (CTS-2). Accounting for all forms of IPV, a past-year prevalence of 64.4% and 64.6% were found, for victimization and perpetration, respectively. Regarding gender or sexual orientation, no significant differences were found in the past-year or the lifetime prevalence, neither concerning frequency. Directionality and dyadic concordance types were analyzed and showed that most violence was bidirectional. Having perpetrated violence in previous intimate relationships was the most influential factor when predicting past-year perpetration or victimization. Other significant predictors were age, being victimized before 15 years old, cohabitation with the intimate partner, and drug use, but the last two were only significant for victimization. Findings support the idea that IPV is a relevant phenomenon, regardless of gender and sexual orientation. It is the first nationwide, gender-inclusive study to do so in Portugal. Studies based on different samples might provide important evidence to prevent hasty conclusions about IPV prevalence and patterns and to guide empirically driven policies.

Adaptação da Escala de Crenças sobre Punições Físicas para o contexto brasileiro / Adaptation of the Physical Punishment Beliefs Scale to the Brazilian context / Adaptación de la Escala de Creencias sobre Castigos Físicos para el contexto brasileño

O estudo tem como objetivo apresentar o processo de adaptação da Escala de Crenças sobre Punições Físicas (ECPF) para o contexto brasileiro, bem como as evidências iniciais de dimensionalidade e precisão da escala para uma amostra de brasileiros. Além disso, investigou-se se gênero, faixa etária, parentalidade, histórico de maus-tratos na infância e histórico de violência por parceiro íntimo exercem influência sobre os níveis de crenças sobre punições físicas. Participaram 257 indivíduos, sendo 196 (76,3%) do gênero feminino. Os resultados indicaram que a versão brasileira da escala apresentou melhores índices de ajuste na estrutura unifatorial (TLI = 0,96; RMSEA [90% I.C.] = 0,08 (0,08 - 0,09). As cargas fatoriais variaram de 0,31 a 0,91. Identificou-se, também, que os níveis de crenças sobre punições físicas foram influenciados pelo gênero e idade dos participantes. Os resultados obtidos são favoráveis ao uso da ECPF em amostras brasileiras.(AU)

The study aimed to adapt the Physical Punishment Beliefs Scale to the Brazilian context, and presents the initial evidence of dimensionality and reliability of the scale for a Brazilian sample. It was also investigated whether gender, age group, parenting, history of child maltreatment, and history of intimate partner violence influenced the beliefs related to the levels of physical punishment. Participants were 257 individuals, 196 (76.3%) of whom were female. The results indicated that the Brazilian version of the scale presented better fit indices for the single factor structure (TLI = .96; RMSEA [90% I.C.] = .08 (.08 - .09). The factor loadings ranged from .31 to .91. It was also identified that the beliefs related to the levels of physical punishment were influenced by gender and age group. The results obtained are favorable for the use of the scale in Brazilian samples.(AU)

El estudio tiene como objetivo presentar el proceso de adaptación de la Escala de Creencias sobre Castigos Físicos (ECPF) para el contexto brasileño, así como las evidencias iniciales de dimensionalidad y precisión de la escala para una muestra de brasileños. Además, se investigó si el género, el grupo de edad, la parentalidad, los antecedentes del maltrato infantil y los antecedentes de violencia de pareja influyen en los niveles de creencias sobre el castigo físico. Participaron 257 indivíduos, de las cuales 196 (76,3%) eran mujeres. Los resultados indicaron que la versión brasileña de la escala presentó mejores índices de ajuste en la estructura unifactorial (TLI = 0,96; [90% I.C.]. = 0,08 (0,08 - 0,09). Las cargas factoriales oscilaron entre 0,21 y 0,91. También se identificó que los niveles de creencias sobre castigos físicos fueron influenciados por el género y la edad de los participantes. Los resultados obtenidos son favorables al uso de la ECPF en muestras brasileñas.(AU)

Developing a Valid and Reliable Cross-cultural Measure of Coparenting Conflict between Divorced Parents: The Portuguese Version of the Acrimony Scale.

Coparenting conflict is predictive of parents' and children's adjustment to divorce. An accurate assessment of postdivorce acrimonious coparenting relationships is critical for research, clinical, forensic, and public policy purposes. The Acrimony Scale (AS) is a measure commonly used to assess coparenting conflict. We translated and cross-culturally adapted the AS to the Portuguese context, testing its reliability and validity. Using a web-based survey, data were collected from a community and convenience sample of 196 unrelated divorced parents, assessing sociodemographic characteristics, coparenting conflict, and divorce adjustment. The study consisted of two phases: (1) forward-backward translation and cultural adaptation and (2) psychometric properties analyses: construct and criterion-related validity and internal consistency reliability. The 25-item AS was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted to the Portuguese language. Principal component analyses (PCA) suggested a three-factor structure solution of 22-items, explaining 57.5% of the variance. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) showed the goodness of fit of this tridimensional model. The results also demonstrated acceptable convergent and good discriminant validity and high internal reliability. Scores on the AS suggested good known-groups validity and high discriminative power with 86.7% classification accuracy. The area under the ROC curve was 0.91, establishing a very good predictive value of the scale. We suggest that the AS is a reliable multidimensional measure to assess coparenting conflict after divorce and may be useful, namely, in the psychological assessment of child custody and evaluation of the effectiveness of coparenting conflict-based interventions. We discussed future research and practical implications.

Dropout from evidence-based trauma treatment in a community mental health clinic serving victims of interpersonal violence.

Trauma-focused psychotherapies are increasingly offered in community-based mental health centers, but little is known about treatment dropout in these settings. The current study explored dropout at different stages of treatment in a treatment-seeking sample of 1,186 adults who experienced interpersonal violence and were offered trauma-focused and non-trauma-focused therapies. A total of 31.6% of participants dropped out before treatment initiation, 28.0% dropped out after treatment initiation and completed a mean of 4.02 (SD = 2.41) sessions, and 40.4% completed a full course of PTSD treatment. Being unemployed, p < .001, and scoring lower on measures of environment factors, p = .045, were significant predictors of pretreatment dropout. Being female, p < .001; Latinx, p = .032; and scoring higher on a measure of social relationships, p = .024, were independent predictors of postinitiation dropout. Individuals who completed nine sessions of treatment displayed significantly lower levels of posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety symptoms. The present study provides preliminary evidence that survivors of interpersonal violence who seek therapy tend to drop out early during treatment, and most who complete treatment attain symptom reduction.

Prevalence of Stalking Among Justice Professionals in Portugal.

Despite the growing interest from researchers' in recent years, stalking is a phenomenon of difficult operationalization within the scientific community. Examining the phenomenon in criminal justice professionals has become relevant since the work context is considered a fertile environment for the presence of stalking, despite underreported. This study aims specifically to know the prevalence, nature, dynamics, impact, and help-seeking behaviors (and its perceived effectiveness) of stalking victimization by criminal justice professionals stalked in Portugal. We were also interested in the professionals' perceptions of why they were stalked. The data were collected through a web-based survey, after the approval of the ethic committee. The sample was composed of 270 criminal justice professionals, mostly men (59.3%), with a mean age of 42.70 (SD = 9.07) years. The results showed that 24.8% reported having been stalked at least once in their lifetime. Stalking prevalence was higher in women compared to men. Concerning the profession, the highest prevalence was verified in the group of professionals composed of lawyers, jurists, court officials, and auditors, followed by the group of magistrates, and finally the judges and the criminal police. More diversity of stalking behaviors experienced was associated with a higher frequency of those behaviors. Psychological health (70.7%) and lifestyle/behavioral changes (62.1%) were the most reported areas of impact. Being stalked in a private context (e.g., intimate relationships), for a longer period and feeling a higher level of fear as a result of the stalking campaign were associated with more impact. Most of the victims (74.6%) revealed having sought help to cope with the stalking experience, with women seeking more help than men (88.6% vs. 59.4%). For bringing evidence that criminal justice professionals are at risk of being stalked, these findings can contribute to the adoption of policies and strategies to prevent stalking victimization among this population.

"It takes a community to save a child": Child trafficking knowledge of the Portuguese community.

This study aims to explore the knowledge of the Portuguese community on child trafficking. Through an online inventory, with a sample of 492 community members, with a mean age of 40.53 and mostly female (70.7%), participants were more knowledgeable about forms of exploitation, risk and vulnerability factors, the profile of the victims, and the situation in Portugal about child trafficking. On the contrary, they were less knowledgeable about the dynamics of child trafficking. Having a college education, and contacting with the subject through informal or/and formal sources were predictors of a higher level of knowledge of child trafficking. This study reinforces the importance of the community as a whole in fighting child trafficking. To protect children against child trafficking, public policies should prioritize the role of the community. An empowered community can actively contribute to the prevention, signaling, and (re)integration of victims of child trafficking.

Escala de Crenças Sobre Violência Conjugal (ECV): versão brasileira / Beliefs Scale on Marital Violence (ECVC): brazilian version / Escala de Creencias Sobre Violencia Conyugal (ECVC): versión brasileña

Este estudo visou traduzir, adaptar e verificar evidências de validade da Escala de Crenças sobre Violência Conjugal (ECVC), bem como investigou diferenças nos índices de concordância com crenças legitimadoras de violência conjugal, considerando as variáveis gênero, escolaridade e possuir filhos. Os participantes foram adultos brasileiros (N = 1.337), maiores de 18 anos, sendo 66,34% pertencentes ao gênero feminino e 33,65% masculino. Foram realizadas análises fatoriais confirmatórias e exploratórias, e análise de comparação das médias através de uma ANOVA. Os 25 itens da escala apresentaram cargas fatoriais superiores a 0,46. A versão brasileira da escala apresentou estrutura unidimensional. Foi observado que os três indicadores utilizados para avaliar a consistência interna apresentaram valores satisfatórios. Por fim, identificou-se que participantes do gênero masculino, com menor escolaridade e com filhos apresentaram maior concordância com crenças legitimadoras de violência conjugal. Os resultados encontrados reforçam as qualidades psicométricas da escala indicando sua aplicabilidade. (AU)

This study aimed to translate, adapt, and verify the evidence of validity of the Belief Scale on Conjugal Violence (Escala de Crenças sobre Violência Conjugal - ECVC), as well as to investigate differences in the indices of agreement with legitimizing beliefs of conjugal violence, considering the variables gender, education, and having children. Participants were Brazilian adults (N = 1,337), over 18 years old, 66.34% of whom were women and 33.65% men. Confirmatory and exploratory factor analyses were conducted, as well as a comparison of means using ANOVA. The 25 items on the scale presented factorial loadings greater than 0.46. The Brazilian version of the scale had a unidimensional structure, and the three indicators used to assess internal consistency showed satisfactory values. Finally, results indicated that men with less education and with children showed greater agreement with beliefs legitimizing conjugal violence. The results reinforce the psychometric qualities of the scale, indicating its applicability. (AU)

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo traducir, adaptar y verificar evidencias de validez de la Escala de Creencias sobre Violencia Conyugal (ECVC), así como investigar diferencias en los índices de concordancia con las creencias legitimadoras de violencia conyugal, considerando las variables género, educación y tener hijos. Los participantes eran adultos brasileños (N = 1.337), mayores de 18 años, de los cuales el 66,34% eran mujeres y el 33,65% hombres. Se realizaron análisis factoriales confirmatorios y exploratorios, y análisis de comparación de medias a través de ANOVA. Los 25 ítems de la escala presentaron cargas factoriales superiores a 0,46. La versión brasileña de la escala tenía una estructura unidimensional. Se observó que los tres indicadores utilizados para evaluar la consistencia interna presentaron valores satisfactorios. Finalmente, se identificó que los varones, con menor nivel educativo y con hijos, mostraron mayor acuerdo con las creencias legitimadoras de la violencia conyugal. Los resultados encontrados denotan las cualidades psicométricas de la escala, reforzando su aplicabilidad. (AU)

The Compass of Shame Scale: Dimensionality and Gender Measurement Invariance in a Portuguese Sample.

Different shame coping strategies directly influence shame experience. However, the assessment of these strategies has received little attention. The Compass of Shame Scale (CoSS-5) was developed to assess shame-coping styles and has proven to be a valid measure. In this study, the CoSS-5 dimensionality was examined throughout confirmatory analysis and its measurement invariance across gender was investigated for the original (four-factor) and a new recently proposed measurement model (five-factor). The sample consisted of 605 Portuguese adults (57.5% female; Mean age = 35.43) recruited from the community. In addition to the CoSS-5, participants completed other measures relevant for construct validity. Both the four and the five-factor measurement models revealed a good fit to the data. Good reliability values were found for all factors, with Cronbach's alphas ranging between .79 and .90. The CoSS-5 also proved to be gender invariant, regardless of the measurement model. The subscales of CoSS-5 associated in the expected direction with measures of external shame, self-critical and self-reassuring responses, psychological flexibility/inflexibility, and psychopathology symptoms. This study highlights the relevance of the CoSS-5 in advancing knowledge on the impact of shame-coping styles on psychopathological outcomes, making it available for use in research and clinical settings.

The Early Memories of Warmth and Safeness Scale: Dimensionality and Measurement Invariance.

OBJECTIVES: Research has shown that rearing styles and early emotional memories, especially those related to feelings of threat or safeness, play a key role in subsequent emotional and social adjustment throughout the lifespan. Several authors have argued for the study of early memories of warmth and safeness rather than rearing styles. The Early Memories of Warmth and Safeness Scale (EMWSS) has proven to be a valid instrument to do so. This study adds to previous research about the EMWSS by investigating its dimensionality throughout confirmatory analysis procedures and its measurement invariance between male and females in an adult sample. METHODS: A sample of 502 adults (51.2% female, Mean age = 36.46 years, SD = 13.79) recruited from a community sample in Portugal was collected. In addition to the EMWSS, participants completed measures of recall of parental rearing behavior, attachment, self-criticism, self-reassuring, self-compassion and psychopathology. RESULTS: A one-factor measurement model revealed a good fit to the data and the instrument showed excellent internal consistency, with a Cronbach alpha of .96. The EMWSS also proved to be gender invariant. Regarding construct validity, the EMWSS was found to be associated with external variables in the expected direction. LIMITATIONS: The convenience sample used might be not representative of the general population. CONCLUSION: This work highlights the relevance of the EMWSS in helping to advance knowledge on how early memories of warmth and safeness impact on psychopathological outcomes, and of making it available for use in research and clinical settings.

Sleep and women intimate partner victimization: prevalence, effects and good practices in health care settings.

Intimate Partner Violence is a global health issue with higher prevalence worldwide, mostly in women, higher social and economic costs and devastating physical and mental health consequences for the victims. Sleep disturbances has been associated with other mental health issues, being an important symptom when diagnosing post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or anxiety. It can also constitute an important sign to help health professionals to identify potential victims of intimate partner violence. This review paper main objectives are to address the connection between intimate partner violence and sleep disruption, the role and barriers of health professionals in screening this type of violence when sleep problems are present, and to describe good practices in order to identify these victims and to provide support. It has been found that intimate partner victims commonly experience significant sleep disturbances that include truncated sleep, nightmares and less restful sleep. Health professionals are first-line professionals with a pivot role to screen and identify women victims. However, a set of personal (e.g., lack of knowledge and inadequate perceptions about violence, cultural issues) and organizational barriers (e.g., time constraints, lack of training, absence of institutional protocols) may limit the accurate reading of those symptoms. Accordingly, health professionals must be alert not only to physical health conditions associated with violence (acute physical injuries, chronic physical injuries, obstetric and genital injuries), but also psychological problems, like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, alcohol or drug misuse, sleep disturbances, insomnia and nightmares. In the presence of alert symptoms related to violence, health professionals become able to screen, identify and provide ongoing care for women, promoting a trusting relationship and assuming an attentive non-judgmental listening.

Characteristics of Intimate Partner Violence Victimization Experienced by a Sample of Portuguese Men.

International research has established that men can be victims of intimate partner violence (IPV). In Portugal, this phenomenon has not yet received scientific or social attention, although since the 1990s, IPV has been acknowledged as a notable problem. An online cross-sectional study was conducted with 89 heterosexual men who, after completing the Revised Conflict Tactics Scales, identified themselves as victims of IPV. We examined the prevalence of IPV, its context, its perceived impact, men's reactions after an episode of violence, men's perceived motives for the partner's aggressive behavior, and reasons that prevented men from leaving the abusive relationship. The results revealed many similarities to the findings in the literature on female victims and are discussed in terms of their practical implications. Increased knowledge of this underreported phenomenon is vital to the development of suitable policies and support services.