Women as perpetrators of IPV

The experience of Mozambique

Bibliographic Data

ID12936783
AuthorsAntónio Eugénio Zacarias (Karolinska Institutet, corresponding author), Gloria Macassa (0000-0003-4415-7942, Karolinska Institutet), Joaquim Soares (0000-0001-5221-9504, Karolinska Institutet)
Year2012
Volume4
Issue1
Pages5-27
Publication date2012-01-13
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Aggression Conflict and Peace Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1759-6599 • E-ISSN: 2042-8715
PublisherEmerald Publishing Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1108/17596591211192966
OpenAlexW2120592735
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited81

Purpose The purpose of this study is to examine the occurrence, severity, chronicity, and predictors of inflicted IPV among women visiting the Forensic Services in Maputo city (Mozambique) as victims of IPV by their partner. Design/methodology/approach The study was cross‐sectional: the data were collected from 1,442 women over 12 months (consecutive cases) and were analysed with bivariate and multivariate methods. Findings The overall occurrence of inflicted IPV across severity (one or more types) was 69.4 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 44.8±65.8). Psychological aggression was reported by 64 percent of women (chronicity, mean/SD 23.1±32.4); physical assault by 38.2 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 10.3±24.6); sexual coercion by 39.1 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 7.2±16.2); and injuries by 22.6 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 4.2±12.4). Further, 14.5 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 140.2±86.3) of the women used all abuse types against their partners: 18.2 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 113.1±75.9) injury, and psychological and physical abuse; 14.7 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 64.9±64.3) injury, and physical and sexual abuse; 16.3 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 94.1±57.2) injury, and psychological and sexual abuse; and 24.9 percent (chronicity, mean/SD 99.5±72) psychological, physical, and sexual abuse. Controlling behaviours, co‐occurring perpetration, abuse as a child, and certain types of own victimization were the more important factors associated with the inflicted abuse. Research limitations/implications More research into women's experiences of IPV as perpetrators, particularly in relation to co‐occurring inflicted abuse, control, and abuse as a child, is warranted in Sub‐Saharan Africa. An important limitation here is the lack of a control group (e.g. general population). Practical implications The present findings may be useful for the development of strategies to prevent/treat IPV in Mozambique. Originality/value In spite of its limitations, the current study may have provided new insights into women's use of violence against their partners

Aggression · Coercion (linguistics · Cross-sectional study · Domestic violence · Injury prevention · Medical emergency · Occupational safety and health · Physical abuse · Poison control · Psychiatry · Psychological abuse · Sexual abuse · Sexual coercion · Suicide prevention · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Demography · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Medicine · Psychology · Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies