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Spearman KJ, Marineau L, Owolabi A, Alexander KA, Campbell J. Firearms and post-separation abuse: Providing context behind the data on firearms and intimate partner violence. J Adv Nurs 2024; 80:1484-1496. [PMID: 37921256 PMCID: PMC10939897 DOI: 10.1111/jan.15933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
AIM The aim of this study is to provide insight from maternal survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV) describing their experiences with their ex-partners' firearm ownership, access, storage and behaviours in the context of co-parenting and separation. DESIGN We conducted a qualitative descriptive study informed by the IPV and Coparenting Model. METHODS The analytic sample consists of self-identified maternal survivors (n = 14) who completed semi-structured qualitative interviews between January and May 2023 describing experiences of post-separation abuse. Participants were recruited through social media and domestic violence advocacy and legal aid organizations. In the interview guide, participants were asked one item about firearm exposure: Have you or your children had any experiences with guns and your ex-partner that made you or your children feel scared? Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed. Interview transcripts were managed and coded in ATLAS.ti using a codebook. Codes were applied using descriptive content analysis, discrepancies reconciled and themes related to firearm exposure in the context of post-separation abuse identified. RESULTS Six themes emerged related to firearm experiences and post-separation abuse: (1) gun ownership (2) gun access; (3) unsafe storage; (4) direct and symbolic threats; (5) involving the children; (6) survivors' protective actions. CONCLUSION This manuscript provides context on how abusive ex-partners' firearm ownership, access and threats cause terror and pervasive fear for mothers and children following separation. Analysis of qualitative data provides important insights into opportunities to address firearm injury prevention. IMPACT Findings add to the contextual understanding of how survivors of IPV experience non-fatal firearm abuse. Existing quantitative data may not capture the full extent of fear caused by perpetrators' gun ownership access and symbolic threats. Data from this study can help inform firearm injury prevention efforts. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION The authors would like to acknowledge and thank the individuals who helped in cognitive testing of the interview guide prior to conducting interviews with participants, including (3) survivors of post-separation abuse. The authors would also like to acknowledge domestic violence advocates and those individuals who helped with recruitment and connected us with participants. Importantly, with deep gratitude, the authors would like to thank the participants who generously shared their time and stories with us.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lea Marineau
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Adebola Owolabi
- School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ellyson AM, Adhia A, Mustafa A, Lyons VH, Shanahan S, Rowhani-Rahbar A. Threats, Violence, and Weapon Use Against Children in Domestic Violence Protection Orders. Pediatrics 2024; 153:e2023062293. [PMID: 38298059 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2023-062293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Childhood exposure to domestic violence is common, but the overlap between threats and violence against children and weapon/firearm use has not been well studied. The objectives of this study were to: assess differences in respondent firearm access and the use of weapons in granted domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) with and without minors (individuals <18 years of age); and characterize the frequency and characteristics of threats and acts of violence against minors. METHODS We conducted a cross-sectional study of a random sample of granted DVPOs from 2014-2020 in King County, Washington. We examined the use of threats, violence, and weapons by restrained individuals (ie, respondents) by reviewing and abstracting information from DVPO case files. RESULTS Respondent weapon use and firearm possession were more common among DVPOs including minors than DVPOs not including minors (weapon use: 38.2% and 33.0%; firearm possession: 23.1% and 19.1%, respectively). Almost 2 in 3 DVPOs including minors (1338 of 2029) involved threats or violence directed at a minor perpetrated by the DVPO respondent. About 1 in 3 (32.5%) DVPOs documented explicit threats, and 1 in 2 (48.9%) documented violence. Over two-thirds (680 of 993, 68.5%) of acts of violence directed at minors included a weapon. CONCLUSIONS We found higher lethality risk (weapon use and respondent firearm access/ownership) among DVPOs including minors. Many minors experienced threats and acts of violence involving weapons and firearms by DVPO respondents. Evidence-based safety planning strategies and training of judicial officers are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice M Ellyson
- Departments of Pediatrics
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, Washington
| | - Avanti Adhia
- Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program
| | - Ayah Mustafa
- Departments of Pediatrics
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program
| | - Vivian H Lyons
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program
- Allies in Healthier Systems for Health & Abundance in Youth, Department of Psychiatry, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sandra Shanahan
- Regional Domestic Violence Firearms Enforcement Unit, King County, Washington
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- Departments of Pediatrics
- Epidemiology
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program
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Labrum T, Solomon P, Newhill CE. Involvement of Guns in Nonfatal Conflict Between Adult Children and Their Parents. JOURNAL OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE 2024:8862605241231621. [PMID: 38406981 DOI: 10.1177/08862605241231621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
The objectives of the present analyses are to examine the frequency, nature, and correlates of nonfatal gun use in incidents of conflict between adult children and their parents, to which police were summoned. A cross-sectional study design was used with all cases of domestic violence to which police were called between adult children and their parents, in Philadelphia, PA, in 2013 (N = 6,248). Data were drawn from forms required to be completed by police when responding to domestic violence calls for assistance. A series of multivariate logistic regression models were estimated. Of the 6,248 incidents, 5,486 involved no weapon, 522 involved a bodily weapon, 190 involved a non-gun external weapon, and 50 involved a gun. Guns were most often used to threaten victims (66%), with guns less often fired (6%) or used to pistol whip victims (4%). Compared to incidents involving a bodily weapon, when guns were involved, offenders were less likely to have pushed, grabbed, or punched the victim and victims were less likely to have visible injuries; however, offenders were more likely to have threatened victims and victims were more likely to be observed as frightened. Police officers intervened similarly to incidents involving guns vs. bodily weapons. This is the first study we are aware of to focus on nonfatal gun use between family members who are not intimate partners, with the results extending much of what is known regarding nonfatal gun use among intimate partners to nonfatal gun use among adult children and parents.
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Dalve K, Ellyson AM, Bowen D, Kafka J, Rhew IC, Rivara F, Rowhani-Rahbar A. Suicide-related behavior and firearm access among perpetrators of domestic violence subject to domestic violence protection orders. Prev Med Rep 2024; 37:102560. [PMID: 38268616 PMCID: PMC10805658 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Perpetrators of domestic violence (DV) may be a population at elevated risk of suicide. Domestic violence protection orders (DVPOs) can include the removal of firearms from the individual subjected to the order (i.e., the respondent) to protect the victim-survivor. While removal of firearms in a DVPO is designed to protect the victim-survivor; it may also prevent suicide of the respondent by reducing access to lethal means. Therefore, we examined the association of respondent suicide-related behaviors with firearm possession and weapon use in DV among a sample of granted DVPO petitions in King County, Washington (WA), United States from 2014 to 2020 (n = 2,537). We compared prevalence ratios (PR) of respondent firearm possession and use of firearms or weapons to threaten or harm by suicide-related behavior. Overall, respondent suicide-related behavior was commonly reported by petitioners (46 %). Approximately 30 % of respondents possessed firearms. This was similar between respondents with and without a history of suicide-related behavior (PR: 1.03; 95 % CI: 0.91-1.17). Respondents with a history of suicide-related behavior were 1.33 times more likely to have used firearms or weapons to threaten/harm in DV compared to those without a history of suicide-related behavior (44.1 % vs. 33.8 %; 95 % CI: 1.20-1.47). In conclusion, both firearm possession and suicide-related behaviors were common among DVPO respondents. History of suicide-related behavior may be a marker for firearm-related harm to the victim-survivor. Evaluations of DVPO firearm dispossession should consider both firearm-related injury of the victim-survivor and suicide of the respondent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly Dalve
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Alice M. Ellyson
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Center for Child Health, Behavior, and Development, Seattle Children’s Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Deirdre Bowen
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- School of Law, Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Julie Kafka
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Isaac C. Rhew
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Frederick Rivara
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Firearm Injury and Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Conrick KM, Gause E, Rivara FP, Rowhani-Rahbar A, Moore M. Social Workers' Perspectives on Extreme Risk Protection Orders. SOCIAL WORK 2023:7142892. [PMID: 37186012 DOI: 10.1093/sw/swad012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs), which allow for the temporary restriction of firearm access for individuals at substantial risk of harming themselves and/or others, are a promising policy tool to address increasing rates of firearm-related suicide, homicide, and mass shootings. Social workers frequently assess clients at risk of firearm-related harm, positioning social workers to play a key role in ERPO implementation. This study sought to understand social workers' perspectives on ERPOs. Authors invited 6,910 licensed social workers in Washington state to participate in a survey in May and June of 2021 about facilitators and barriers to their willingness to counsel clients' family members, contact law enforcement, or independently file ERPOs for clients at risk of harm to self (HTS) or others (HTO). Of the 1,381 survey participants, most were willing to counsel (96 percent for HTS; 96 percent HTO), contact law enforcement (84 percent for HTS; 87 percent for HTO), or independently file an ERPO (78 percent for HTS; 79 percent for HTO). Common barriers associated with willingness were lack of understanding about the ERPO process and concerns with involving the legal system/law enforcement. Key facilitators included training social workers about ERPOs and availability of legal experts for consultations. Social workers are willing to incorporate ERPOs into their practice for clients, but remaining barriers need to be addressed to support the practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Conrick
- MPH, is a PhD candidate, School of Social Work, University of Washington, 4101 15th Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
| | - Emma Gause
- MS, MA, was a research scientist at the time this study was conducted, Firearm Injury & Policy Research Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Frederick P Rivara
- MD, MPH, is vice chair and professor of pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Ali Rowhani-Rahbar
- PhD, MD, MPH, is professor of epidemiology, Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Megan Moore
- Sidney Miller endowed associate professor in direct practice, School of Social Work, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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Redding EM, Moracco KE, Barrington CL, Corbo AM. "He Will Not Leave Us Alone and I Need the Courts to Help": Defendants' Use of Nonphysical Violence in Domestic Violence Protective Order Cases. Violence Against Women 2023; 29:1044-1059. [PMID: 35989684 PMCID: PMC9950592 DOI: 10.1177/10778012221101921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
District court judges who make final determinations in domestic violence protective order (DVPO) cases in North Carolina indicate often using heuristics, such as the presence of visible injury, to guide their assessment of violence severity. This approach is concerning as it minimizes nonphysical intimate partner violence. We conducted a thematic analysis of DVPO plaintiff complaints to identify the types of nonphysical vioence described and its effects on plaintiff health outcomes. Most case files included descriptions of nonphysical violence and plaintiffs described fear as a significant mental health outcome. Findings highlight the potentially deleterious impact of nonphysical violence on the well-being of DVPO plaintiffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika M. Redding
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings
School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- Erika M. Redding, Department of Health
Behavior, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
| | - Kathryn E. Moracco
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings
School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
- UNC Injury Prevention Research Center, The University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Clare L. Barrington
- Department of Health Behavior, Gillings
School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Allyson M. Corbo
- RTI International, Center for Communication Science, Research Triangle Park, NC,
USA
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Logan TK, Landhuis J. Should we be paying more attention to firearm threats in ex-partner stalking cases? BEHAVIORAL SCIENCES & THE LAW 2022; 40:619-639. [PMID: 36030494 DOI: 10.1002/bsl.2589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This study examined relationship abuse, firearm threats, and threat credibility factors as well as help-seeking for (ex)partner-stalking victims with partners who did (n = 153) and did not own guns (n = 263). Victims with (ex)partners who owned guns experienced increased coercive control and physical violence, a longer duration of stalking, and more threats during the relationship and during the course of stalking. Victims reported that (ex)partner gun owners had more extremist beliefs and other risk factors, and more of them believed their (ex)partner was extremely capable of harming them. Most, regardless of partner gun ownership, turned to informal sources of help, while about one-quarter of victims whose partners did not own guns tried to obtain a protective order or talked to police, compared to about 40% of stalking victims with abusers who owned guns. Fear of harm from guns, coercive control during the relationship, and believing their partner was capable of harming harm them were all associated with an increased number of help-seeking sources whereas being threatened with a firearm and abuser gun ownership were not.
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Affiliation(s)
- T K Logan
- Department of Behavioral Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - Jennifer Landhuis
- Stalking Prevention, Awareness, and Resource Center (SPARC), Aequitas, Washington, Columbia, USA
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