Correlates of Violent Response Among Peruvian Women Abused by an Intimate Partner

• NCJ Number: 237803
• Journal: Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 25 Issue: 1 Dated: January 2010 Pages: 136-151
• Author(s): Bizu Gelaye; Nelly Lam; Swee May Cripe; Sixto E. Sanchez; Michelle A. Williams
• Date Published: January 2010
• Length: 16 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study sought to identify correlates of violent response among women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in Lima, Peru.

Abstract

The authors sought to identify correlates of violent response among women exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) in Lima, Peru. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information on exposure to IPV and women's physical violent reaction towards their abuser. Women who were sexually abused by their partners, as compared with women who experienced emotional abuse only, were more than twice as likely to respond in a violent manner to the abuse (OR = 2.32, 95 percent CI = 1.14-4.74). Similarly, women who reported being physically abused, were 4 times as likely than those who experienced emotional abuse only to retaliate in a physically violent manner (OR = 4.04, 95 percent CI = 2.68-6.11). Women's educational status, history of witnessing parental violence as a child, and type of IPV are significantly associated with women's violent response. Community support networks and culturally appropriate intervention programs designed to prevent and mitigate the impact of IPV are needed. (Published Abstract)