Understanding Violence Against Chinese Women in Hong Kong: An Analysis of Risk Factors With a Special Emphasis on the Role of In-Law Conflict

• NCJ Number: 224698
• Journal: Violence Against Women Volume: 14 Issue: 11 Dated: November 2008 Pages: 1295-1312
• Author(s): Ko Ling Chang; Douglas A. Brownridge; Agnes Tiwari; Daniel Y.T. Fong; Wing-Cheong Leung
• Date Published: November 2008
• Length: 18 pages
• Sponsoring Agency: Lotteries Fund
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

The study examined risk factors of intimate partner violence (IPV) against women in a cohort of Chinese women.

Abstract

Results indicate that the lifetime prevalence of physical abuse was 8.5 percent, and the prevalence of preceding-year abuse was 4.5 percent. The lifetime prevalence of severe and less severe physical violence were 3.4 percent and 8.3 percent, respectively; the prevalence of preceding-year severe and less severe physical violence were 1.3 percent and 4.4 percent, respectively. Of the respondents who were physically abused in their lifetime, 39.6 percent were injured and 38.4 percent were sexually abused by their partners. Of those physically abused in the preceding year, 32.1 percent were injured and sexually abused by their partners. With regard to in-law conflict, about 4.9 percent of female respondents and 3.6 percent of their male partners reported having conflict with their in-laws in the preceding year; preliminary evidence that women's in-law conflict is a risk factor for IPV. Even though relationship harmony is valued in Chinese tradition, certain women, such as those who have conflicts with their in-laws, appear to be at an especially high risk. Data were collected from interviews with 5,049 Chinese respondents living in Hong Kong; a total of 1,870 women with complete records on characteristics of their partners were included in the analysis. Figure, tables, and references