The Role of Violence Against Women Act in Addressing Intimate Partner Violence: A Public Health Issue

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as violence committed by a current or former boyfriend or girlfriend, spouse or ex-spouse. Each year, 1.3 to 5.3 million women in the United States experience IPV. The large number of individuals affected, the enormous healthcare costs, and the need for a multidisciplinary approach make IPV an important healthcare issue. The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) addresses domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. It emphasizes development of coordinated community care among law enforcement, prosecutors, victim services, and attorneys. VAWA was not reauthorized in 2012 because it lacked bipartisan support. VAWA 2013 contains much needed new provisions for Native Americans; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gay, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals; and victims of human trafficking but does not address the large amount of intimate partner violence in America's immigrant population. There are important remaining issues regarding intimate partner violence that need to be addressed by future legislation. This review examines the role of legislation and addresses proposals for helping victims of IPV.

When Intimate Partner Violence Meets Same Sex Couples: A Review of Same Sex Intimate Partner Violence

“…While it was found that in the United States many emergency departments, shelters, agencies, and clinics had IPV advocacy programs, most of these programs historically failed in responding adequately to abuse in LGB groups (Brown and Groscup, 2009; Hines and Douglas, 2011; Armstrong et al, 2014). Goodman et al (2015) contended that during initial steps, services providers should recognize the problem, offer empathic support, ensure safety, and help the victim gain distance from a dangerous situation.…”

“…Goodman et al (2015) contended that during initial steps, services providers should recognize the problem, offer empathic support, ensure safety, and help the victim gain distance from a dangerous situation. Healthcare workers should screen for IPV in LGB patients and understand how patterns of IPV are different for these patients (Banks and Fedewa, 2012; Armstrong et al, 2014): standard approaches to IPV screening may be ineffectual for LGB people (Cavacuiti and Chan, 2008). Ard and Makadon (2011) highlighted the need for a sensitive and accurate assessment, which they discussed through clinical, institutional, educational, and research suggestions.…”

“…The act explicitly included a non-discrimination clause that prohibited LGB individuals from being turned away from shelters or other programs funded by The Violence Against Women Act (Armstrong et al, 2014). …”

“…Some programs focused exclusively on treating the symptoms experienced by the victims, while others attempted to break the cycle of violence through interventions addressed for batterers. The types of interventions ranged from couple and group interventions to individual psychotherapy (Fountain and Skolnik, 2007; Herrmann and Turell, 2008; Dykstra et al, 2013; Armstrong et al, 2014; Quillin and Strickler, 2015). …”

Partner violence victimization and unintended pregnancy in Latina and Asian American women: Analysis using structural equation modeling

“…This may be especially true in situations where resources and financial means are limited (e.g., 70.5% of women were foreign-born in the current study). Minority women may also be faced with additional challenges that prevent them from seeking help or leaving abusive partners, such as legal concerns, unemployment, cultural stigma, and linguistic barriers (Hazen and Soriano 2007;Magnussen et al 2007;Modi, Palmer, and Armstrong 2014;NajafiSharjabad et al 2013;Quelopana and Alcalde 2014;Stockman, Hayashi, and Campbell 2015). Interventions should consider the confluence of socio-economic, cultural, political, and religious factors that affect unintended pregnancy rates in women who stay or are trapped in abusive relationships.…”