A qualitative study on factors associated with intimate partner violence in Colombia

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a human rights violation and a serious global public health problem. This study investigated factors associated with IPV in female survivors in Colombia. Four focus group discussions with female survivors of IPV and 15 key informant interviews with professionals from psychological, social and legal services and community leaders were conducted in Cali and Tuluá. Participant recruitment was via purposive sampling. Transcripts were analysed manually taking a social constructivist standpoint and a content analysis approach. Factors associated with IPV were divided into four themes: cultural beliefs, jealousy, alcohol abuse, and personal history of IPV. The first theme was divided into: patriarchy, gender roles, normalisation of violence, and unawareness of rights, economic dependence, and ‘men own women’. The sub-themes were all inter-related and underpinned by patriarchal values. IPV was described as a sociocultural construction formed by patriarchal values ingrained in community and societal norms and individual processes. Therefore, academia, governmental and non-governmental bodies and society are urged to together, create preventative, context specific strategies for individuals, communities and societies.

The role of gender and romantic jealousy in intimate partner violence against women, a mixed-methods study in Northern Ecuador

“…Data were collected in 2011 (quantitative) and 2013 (qualitative) and it is possible that gender norms and beliefs about romantic jealously and intimate partner violence have continued to change since then. Significant and measurable gender norms change, however, takes a long time and given this timeframe the data is likely still relevant and applicable to the current cultural context ( Lennon et al 2021 ). Lastly, the quantitative sample is representative of low-income households in Sucumbíos and Carchi, however, the triangulation of our results with mixed methods (when possible) and the existing literature increases our confidence in its transferability to the larger sample and Ecuadorian context.…”

“…Legal efforts to delegitimise violent behaviours, however, are not sufficient to end culturally engrained practices, and throughout LAC adherence to traditional gender norms and hegemonic masculinities ( Connell and Messerschmidt 2005 ) has consistently been associated with intimate partner violence perpetration (e.g. Boyce et al 2016 ; Lennon et al 2021 ).…”

Intimate partner violence in women with breast and gynaecologic cancers: A systematic review

“…On the other hand, not all IPV survivors are the same because the culture, socio‐economic background and perception of abuse of IPV survivors influence their decision to access social support and referral services (Akangbe Tomisin, 2020). Some women are unfamiliar with their rights, which has led to the normalization of violence for them, and even during interviews, they do not acknowledge that they are in a violent situation (Lennon et al, 2021). For example, some women attribute their husbands' abusive behaviours to job stress, fear or unemployment (Sawin & Parker, 2011), so reliable prevalence statistics may not be available.…”

“…In qualitative studies, data collection on IPV‐related experiences is also sensitive given the nature of the phenomenon because IPV has been described as a sociocultural structure shaped by patriarchal values rooted in society, social norms and individual processes (Lennon et al, 2021), in some countries, IPV acceptance is high due to attitudes about gender equality or traditional family values (Tausch, 2019).…”

“…Some women are unfamiliar with their rights, which has led to the normalization of violence for them, and even during interviews, they do not acknowledge that they are in a violent situation (Lennon et al, 2021). For example, some women attribute their husbands' abusive behaviours to job stress, fear or unemployment (Sawin & Parker, 2011), so reliable prevalence statistics may not be available.…”