IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/socmed/v146y2015icp276-284.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Family and community driven response to intimate partner violence in post-conflict settings

Author

Listed:
  • Kohli, Anjalee
  • Perrin, Nancy
  • Mpanano, Remy Mitima
  • Banywesize, Luhazi
  • Mirindi, Alfred Bacikenge
  • Banywesize, Jean Heri
  • Mitima, Clovis Murhula
  • Binkurhorhwa, Arsène Kajabika
  • Bufole, Nadine Mwinja
  • Glass, Nancy

Abstract

This study explores risk factors, individual and family consequences and community-driven responses to intimate partner violence (IPV) in post-conflict eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This qualitative study was conducted in 3 rural villages in South Kivu Province of DRC, an area that has experienced prolonged conflict. Participants included 13 female survivors and 5 male perpetrators of IPV as reported during baseline data collection for the parent study, an impact evaluation of the Congolese-led livestock microfinance program, Pigs for Peace. Participants described social and behavioral circumstances that increase risk for IPV; social, health and economic consequences on women and their families; and resources to protect women and their families. Social and behavioral factors reported by survivors and perpetrators indicate that IPV was linked to husband's alcohol consumption, household economic instability, male desire to maintain his position as head of family and perceived disrespect of husband by wife. In addition to well-known health consequences of IPV, women reported negative social consequences, such as stigma, resulting in barriers for the well-being of the family. Survivors and perpetrators described the impact of IPV on their children, specifically the lack of proper parental guidance and lack of safety and stability that could result in the child(ren) misbehaving and using violence in their relationships resulting in further stigma towards the child and family. Strategies employed by survivors to protect themselves and family, include placating male behaviors (e.g., not responding to insults, trying to meet household demands). Perpetrators that tried to reduce the impact of IPV reported a preference for social and financial control of their partner rather than physical violence, believing this to be less severe. Participants described community and family based social support systems including couple's mediation, responsible partner and fatherhood programs and economic activities that can influence behavior, maintain confidentiality, address social stigma and other multi-level outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Kohli, Anjalee & Perrin, Nancy & Mpanano, Remy Mitima & Banywesize, Luhazi & Mirindi, Alfred Bacikenge & Banywesize, Jean Heri & Mitima, Clovis Murhula & Binkurhorhwa, Arsène Kajabika & Bufole, Nadine, 2015. "Family and community driven response to intimate partner violence in post-conflict settings," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 276-284.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:146:y:2015:i:c:p:276-284
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.011
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0277953615301507
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.socscimed.2015.10.011?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Vinck, Patrick & Pham, Phuong N., 2013. "Association of exposure to intimate-partner physical violence and potentially traumatic war-related events with mental health in Liberia," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 41-49.
    2. Saile, Regina & Neuner, Frank & Ertl, Verena & Catani, Claudia, 2013. "Prevalence and predictors of partner violence against women in the aftermath of war: A survey among couples in Northern Uganda," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 17-25.
    3. Hindin, Michelle J. & Adair, Linda S., 2002. "Who's at risk? Factors associated with intimate partner violence in the Philippines," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 55(8), pages 1385-1399, October.
    4. Uthman, Olalekan Abdulrahman & Moradi, Tahereh & Lawoko, Stephen, 2009. "The independent contribution of individual-, neighbourhood-, and country-level socioeconomic position on attitudes towards intimate partner violence against women in sub-Saharan Africa: A multilevel m," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 68(10), pages 1801-1809, May.
    5. Michael Koenig & Saifuddin Ahmed & Mian Hossain & A. Mozumder, 2003. "Women’s status and domestic violence in rural Bangladesh: Individual- and community-level effects," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 40(2), pages 269-288, May.
    6. Kim, J.C. & Watts, C.H. & Hargreaves, J.R. & Ndhlovu, L.X. & Phetla, G. & Morison, L.A. & Busza, J. & Porter, J.D.H. & Pronyk, P., 2007. "Understanding the impact of a microfinance-based intervention on women's empowerment and the reduction of intimate partner violence in South Africa," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 97(10), pages 1794-1802.
    7. World Bank, 2011. "World Development Report 2011 [Rapport sur le développement dans le monde 2011 : Conflits, sécurité et développement - Abrégé]," World Bank Publications - Books, The World Bank Group, number 4389.
    8. Peterman, A. & Palermo, T. & Bredenkamp, C., 2011. "Estimates and determinants of sexual violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 101(6), pages 1060-1067.
    9. Gupta, J. & Acevedo-Garcia, D. & Hemenway, D. & Decker, M.R. & Raj, A. & Silverman, J.G., 2009. "Premigration exposure to political violence and perpetration of intimate partner violence among immigrant men in Boston," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 99(3), pages 462-469.
    10. Kiss, Ligia & Schraiber, Lilia Blima & Heise, Lori & Zimmerman, Cathy & Gouveia, Nelson & Watts, Charlotte, 2012. "Gender-based violence and socioeconomic inequalities: Does living in more deprived neighbourhoods increase women’s risk of intimate partner violence?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 74(8), pages 1172-1179.
    11. Horn, Rebecca, 2010. "Responses to intimate partner violence in Kakuma refugee camp: Refugee interactions with agency systems," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(1), pages 160-168, January.
    12. Hyder, Adnan A. & Noor, Zarin & Tsui, Emma, 2007. "Intimate partner violence among Afghan women living in refugee camps in Pakistan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 64(7), pages 1536-1547, April.
    13. Olayide Ogunsiji & Lesley Wilkes & Debra Jackson & Kath Peters, 2012. "Suffering and smiling: West African immigrant women’s experience of intimate partner violence," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(11‐12), pages 1659-1665, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Bolatito O. Ogunbiyi & Beth J. Maclin & Jeffrey B. Bingenheimer & Amita Vyas, 2023. "Comparing Changes in IPV Risk by Age Group over Time in Conflict-Affected Northeast Nigeria," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-13, January.
    2. Michael G. Wessells & Kathleen Kostelny, 2022. "The Psychosocial Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence against Women in LMIC Contexts: Toward a Holistic Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Kelly,Jocelyn TD & Rubin,Amalia Hadas & Ekhator-Mobayode,Uche Eseosa & Arango,Diana Jimena, 2021. "The Risk That Travels with You : Links between Forced Displacement, Conflict and Intimate PartnerViolence in Colombia and Liberia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9825, The World Bank.
    4. Melissa Meinhart & Ilana Seff & Katrina Troy & Samantha McNelly & Luissa Vahedi & Catherine Poulton & Lindsay Stark, 2021. "Identifying the Impact of Intimate Partner Violence in Humanitarian Settings: Using an Ecological Framework to Review 15 Years of Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(13), pages 1-19, June.
    5. LynnMarie Sardinha & Héctor E Nájera Catalán, 2018. "Attitudes towards domestic violence in 49 low- and middle-income countries: A gendered analysis of prevalence and country-level correlates," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(10), pages 1-18, October.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ruchira Tabassum Naved & Mahfuz Al Mamun & Kausar Parvin & Samantha Willan & Andrew Gibbs & Marat Yu & Rachel Jewkes, 2018. "Magnitude and correlates of intimate partner violence against female garment workers from selected factories in Bangladesh," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Gökçe, Merve Betül & Kirdar, Murat Güray, 2024. "The Effects of Civil War and Forced Migration on Intimate Partner Violence among Syrian Refugee Women in Jordan," IZA Discussion Papers 17284, Institute of Labor Economics (IZA).
    3. Kien Le & My Nguyen, 2022. "War and Intimate Partner Violence in Africa," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, May.
    4. Kelly,Jocelyn TD & Rubin,Amalia Hadas & Ekhator-Mobayode,Uche Eseosa & Arango,Diana Jimena, 2021. "The Risk That Travels with You : Links between Forced Displacement, Conflict and Intimate PartnerViolence in Colombia and Liberia," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9825, The World Bank.
    5. Robin A. Richardson, 2018. "Measuring Women’s Empowerment: A Critical Review of Current Practices and Recommendations for Researchers," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 137(2), pages 539-557, June.
    6. Ekhator-Mobayode,Uche Eseosa & Kelly,Jocelyn Thalassa Deverall & Rubin,Amalia Hadas & Arango,Diana Jimena, 2021. "Intimate Partner Violence and Household Decision Making Autonomy : Effects of the Malian Conflict on Women," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9821, The World Bank.
    7. Blay-Tofey, Morkeh & Lee, Bandy X., 2015. "Preventing gender-based violence engendered by conflict: The case of Côte d'Ivoire," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 341-347.
    8. Eseosa Ekhator-Mobayode, Uche & Hanmer, Lucia C. & Rubiano-Matulevich, Eliana & Jimena Arango, Diana, 2022. "The effect of armed conflict on intimate partner violence: Evidence from the Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    9. Gudrun Østby, 2016. "Violence Begets Violence: Armed conflict and domestic sexual violence in Sub-Saharan Africa," HiCN Working Papers 233, Households in Conflict Network.
    10. Seema Vyas & Lori Heise, 2016. "How do area-level socioeconomic status and gender norms affect partner violence against women? Evidence from Tanzania," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 61(8), pages 971-980, November.
    11. La Mattina, Giulia, 2017. "Civil conflict, domestic violence and intra-household bargaining in post-genocide Rwanda," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 168-198.
    12. Roy Chowdhury, Soumi & Bohara, Alok K. & Horn, Brady P., 2018. "Balance of Power, Domestic Violence, and Health Injuries: Evidence from Demographic and Health Survey of Nepal," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 18-29.
    13. Liu, Chia & Olamijuwon, Emmanuel, 2024. "The link between intimate partner violence and spousal resource inequality in lower- and middle-income countries," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 345(C).
    14. Cools, Sara & Kotsadam, Andreas, 2017. "Resources and Intimate Partner Violence in Sub-Saharan Africa," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 211-230.
    15. Sriskandarajah, Vathsalan & Neuner, Frank & Catani, Claudia, 2015. "Predictors of violence against children in Tamil families in northern Sri Lanka," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 257-265.
    16. Clark, Cari Jo & Silverman, Jay G. & Shahrouri, Manal & Everson-Rose, Susan & Groce, Nora, 2010. "The role of the extended family in women's risk of intimate partner violence in Jordan," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(1), pages 144-151, January.
    17. Michael Malcolm & Vidya Diwakar & George Naufal, 2020. "Child Discipline in Times of Conflict," Journal of Conflict Resolution, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 64(6), pages 1070-1094, July.
    18. Seema Vyas & Charlotte Watts, 2009. "How does economic empowerment affect women's risk of intimate partner violence in low and middle income countries? A systematic review of published evidence," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 21(5), pages 577-602.
    19. Kidman, Rachel & Palermo, Tia & Bertrand, Jane, 2015. "Intimate partner violence, modern contraceptive use and conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 2-10.
    20. Green, Eric P. & Blattman, Christopher & Jamison, Julian & Annan, Jeannie, 2015. "Women's entrepreneurship and intimate partner violence: A cluster randomized trial of microenterprise assistance and partner participation in post-conflict Uganda (SSM-D-14-01580R1)," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 177-188.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:146:y:2015:i:c:p:276-284. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/315/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.