Strengthening the service experiences of women impacted by gambling-related intimate partner violence

Abstract

Background While problem gambling does not directly cause intimate partner violence (IPV), it exacerbates that violence significantly. Women experiencing both gambling harm and IPV often find themselves in challenging situations; furthermore, stigma and shame frequently act as barriers to seeking help from health and social service agencies. Despite the links between problem gambling and IPV, little is known about women’s experiences of using support services for both IPV and gambling related issues. This paper explores positive experiences of help-seeking for gambling-related IPV in Australia by adopting a strengths-based research approach. Methods Qualitative, unstructured interviews were conducted for a larger study exploring the nature of the relationship between problem gambling and IPV. To gain new insights into the service experiences of women impacted by gambling related IPV, interviews with 48 women with lived experience of IPV relating to a male partner’s gambling, and 24 women with lived experience of IPV relating to their own gambling were reanalysed using thematic analysis. Results Three themes emerged from the data signifying or demonstrating strength-based responses: ‘Commitment to Integrated and Collaborative Responses’; ‘Therapeutic Support’; and ‘Instrumental Support’. The themes highlight the importance of recognising the intersectionality of gambling related IPV and supporting the person ‘at the centre of the service’. Tangible and instrumental supports, such as emergency accommodation and financial assistance, were also central to the recovery process. Conclusion Effective service responses are dependent on understanding how problem gambling and IPV intersect. Importantly, service providers must recognise and address the many facets of each woman’s situation and the shame associated with resolving interdependent and complex issues. Responding to the needs of women impacted by gambling related IPV requires both individual-level awareness and organisational support; recommendations to strengthen service provision are provided.

Recognition and responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) in gambler's help services: A qualitative study

“…The current findings also align with conclusions drawn from recent research on nongambling‐specific service users with specific experiences of male‐to‐female IPV, which also emphasise the importance of intersectionality of gambling harm and violence, and support calls for integrated service systems in providing services in this context (Banks & Waters, 2022; O'Mullan et al, 2022). Such results have practice implications and may suggest that IPV identification strategies and referral pathways could be embedded within gambling treatment service delivery (Freytag et al, 2020).…”

“…Such results have practice implications and may suggest that IPV identification strategies and referral pathways could be embedded within gambling treatment service delivery (Freytag et al, 2020). This, however, requires adequate service responses to comprehensibly address both violence and gambling, which currently have limited availability in Australia (Hing et al, 2020; O'Mullan et al, 2022).…”

Intimate partner violence linked to gambling: cohort and period effects on the past experiences of older women

“…The widespread availability and promotion of gambling and the ongoing failure to reduce gambling problems in Australia [66][67][68] continue to amplify the abuse of women and their children. Practical support to manage their finances and build self-efficacy can help women affected by gambling-related IPV to contain the harm [69,70]. More critically however, policy, regulatory and gambling industry changes are essential to reduce problem gambling and its exacerbation of violence against women.…”

An integrative review of research on gambling and domestic and family violence: Fresh perspectives to guide future research

“…It found significant associations between police-recorded DFV and accessibility to EGMs at the postcode level in Victoria Australia ( Markham et al, 2016 ). The ANROWS study ( Hing et al, 2020 , 2022a ; O’Mullan et al, 2022a , b ) explored how the gambling industry, police and justice systems, victim support services, financial institutions, and social norms can contribute to contexts that exacerbate this violence. In alignment with a public health perspective on gambling harm, research could valuably examine how gambling industry products, practices, environments, and marketing are contributing and responding to DFV/IPV.…”