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Otero-García L, Durán-Martín E, Castellanos-Torres E, Sanz-Barbero B, Vives-Cases C. Accessibility of intimate partner violence-related services for young women in Spain. Qualitative study on professionals' perspectives. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297886. [PMID: 38573923 PMCID: PMC10994297 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Otero-García
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM), Madrid, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Durán-Martín
- International Doctoral School of the Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia and the Joint Research Institute of the Nacional School of Health (UNED- IMIENS), Madrid, Spain
| | - Esther Castellanos-Torres
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health an History of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
- Department of Social Sciences, University Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- National School of Public Health, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- Public Health Research Group, Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health an History of Science, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Vives-Cases C, Castellanos-Torres E, Sanz-Barbero B. [Sexual violence and young people: "it is not something you are born with, but with what you learn"]. Gac Sanit 2024; 38:102371. [PMID: 38401370 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaceta.2024.102371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Vives-Cases
- Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Grupo de Investigación de Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicante), España; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España.
| | - Esther Castellanos-Torres
- Departamento de Enfermería Comunitaria, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública e Historia de la Ciencia, Grupo de Investigación de Salud Pública, Universidad de Alicante, San Vicente del Raspeig (Alicante), España
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), España; Escuela Nacional de Sanidad, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, España
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Castellanos-Torres E, Sanz-Barbero B, Vives-Cases C. COVID-19 and sexual violence against women: A qualitative study about young people and professionals' perspectives in Spain. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0289402. [PMID: 37531382 PMCID: PMC10395938 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Castellanos-Torres
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
- National School of Public Health, Carlos III Health Institute, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science, Alicante University, Alicante, Spain
- Consortium for Biomedical Research in Epidemiology & Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Goicolea I, Vives-Cases C, Castellanos-Torres E, Briones-Vozmediano E, Sanz-Barbero B. Disclosing Gender-Based Violence: A Qualitative Analysis of Professionals' and Women's Perspectives through a Discursive Approach. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022; 19:14683. [PMID: 36429401 PMCID: PMC9690750 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Goicolea
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, 90187 Umea, Sweden
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and the History of Science, University of Alicante, 03009 Alicante, Spain
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Public Health Research Group, University of Alicante, 03009 Alicante, Spain
| | | | - Erica Briones-Vozmediano
- Group of Studies in Society, Education and Health (GESEC), Nursing and Physiotherapy Department, University of Lleida, 25008 Lleida, Spain
- Healthcare Research Group (GRECS), Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida (IRB), Josep Pifarré Fundation, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Belén Sanz-Barbero
- CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), 28029 Madrid, Spain
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Health Carlos III, 28029 Madrid, Spain
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Durán-Martín E, Vives-Cases C, Otero-García L, Castellanos-Torres E, Sanz-Barbero B. Do we have friendly services to meet the needs of young women exposed to intimate partner violence in the Madrid region? Health Expect 2022; 25:1058-1068. [PMID: 35199409 PMCID: PMC9122426 DOI: 10.1111/hex.13453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Durán-Martín
- International Doctoral School, Universidad Nacional de Estudios a Distancia (UNED), Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen Vives-Cases
- Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and the History of Science, Universitat d' Alacant, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Otero-García
- Department of Nursing, Universdad Autónoma de Madrid, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Belen Sanz-Barbero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Institute of Health Carlos III, CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Briones-Vozmediano E, Castellanos-Torres E, Goicolea I, Vives-Cases C. Challenges to Detecting and Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Among Roma Women in Spain: Perspectives of Primary Care Providers. J Interpers Violence 2021; 36:NP10433-NP10452. [PMID: 31524040 DOI: 10.1177/0886260519872299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The objective of this study is to identify challenges and facilitators for detecting and addressing cases of intimate partner violence (IPV) against Roma women, from the perspectives of health personnel and representatives of Roma organizations, and to compare both perspectives. A total of 28 semi-structured interviews were carried out between November 2014 and February 2015 in different Spanish cities. A thematic analysis was carried out, guided by Aday and Andersen's model regarding barriers to access to health services. Both groups signaled the following as principal challenges: (a) consideration of IPV as a private problem among the Roma population, (b) little use of primary care providers for prevention, (c) distrust of Roma women toward primary care professionals as resources for seeking help, (d) the inexistence of Roma professionals in health services, (e) health professionals' lack of cultural sensitivity related to Roma people, and (f) the focus of health protocols for action against IPV on filing a police report. Potential facilitating factors included Roma women's trust in nurses, social workers, and pediatricians and ethnic heterogeneity. There is need to promote action to address the identified challenges through a health equity approach that includes greater training and awareness raising among health professionals about Roma culture and the specific needs of Roma women.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Briones-Vozmediano
- Faculty and Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, University of Lleida, Spain
- Biomedical Research Institute (IRB), Lleida, Spain
- Public Health Research Group of the University of Alicante, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - E Castellanos-Torres
- Public Health Research Group of the University of Alicante, University of Alicante, Spain
| | - I Goicolea
- Public Health Research Group of the University of Alicante, University of Alicante, Spain
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Sweden
| | - C Vives-Cases
- Public Health Research Group of the University of Alicante, University of Alicante, Spain
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Castellanos-Torres
- Consultoría de investigación en género E2+Equidad, Madrid, España; Comisión de Igualdad de Género del COLPOLSOC, Madrid, España
| | - José Tomás Mateos
- Departamento de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Facultad de Enfermería y Fisioterapia, Universitat de Lleida, Lleida, España; Grup de Recerca en Cures de la Salut (GRECS), Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLleida), Lleida, España.
| | - Elisa Chilet-Rosell
- Departamento de Salud Pública, Historia de la Ciencia y Ginecología, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche, Sant Joan d'Alacant, España; CIBER de Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBERESP), Madrid, España
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Vives-Cases C, Espinar-Ruiz E, Castellanos-Torres E, Coe AB. Multiple struggles in fighting violence against women: implications among Romani women leaders in Spain. Glob Health Action 2018; 10:1317084. [PMID: 28585896 PMCID: PMC5645646 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2017.1317084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Violence against women (VAW) is a central issue in gender studies and one that has united feminist activists from around the world. But this does not mean that this struggle is singular: indeed, one can say that there are many, diverse and sometimes even contradictory struggles occurring throughout the world. Objectives: To identify and analyze the different struggles faced by women from Roma organizations in Spain in relation to VAW and their work with affected women. Methods: Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted among women actively involved in Roma associations in different Spanish cities, in 2015. An inductive thematic analysis was used to analyze the empirical materials. Results: Our analysis resulted in three themes that captured different struggles that women from Roma organizations have faced: ‘between persistence and rupture of restrictive gender norms’, ‘invisibility and normalization of violence against women’ and ‘willingness and trust in daily work with women’. The activities related to VAW carried out by the interviewed women were more related to their personal initiatives and abilities than to strategies proposed by the organizations they work for. Conclusions: The results show the need to support the initiatives of Romani women and their own struggles related to identity. This is what makes them true promoters of social change and, more specifically, change related to gender relations both within and outside of their communities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Vives-Cases
- a Department of Community Nursing, Preventive Medicine and Public Health and History of Science , Alicante University , Alicante , Spain.,b CIBER of Epidemiology and Public Health , Barcelona , Spain.,c Public Health Research Group , Alicante University , Alicante , Spain
| | - Eva Espinar-Ruiz
- d Department of Sociology II , Alicante University , Alicante , Spain.,e Interuniversity Institute of Development and Peace , Alicante University , Alicante , Spain
| | | | - Anna-Britt Coe
- f Epidemiology and Global Health Unit, Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine , Umeå University , Umeå , Sweden
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Castellanos-Torres E, Álvarez-Dardet C, Ruiz-Muñoz D, Pérez G. Social determinants of sexual satisfaction in Spain considered from the gender perspective. Ann Epidemiol 2013; 23:150-6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.annepidem.2012.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2012] [Revised: 10/26/2012] [Accepted: 12/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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