Worldwide, the most common form of violence against women is intimate partner violence (IPV). Our ability to determine the scope of IPV in the United States is hindered by a lack of surveillance systems with measures of economic and social deprivation. Also lacking is knowledge about the relationship between economic deprivation and use of victim services. Using data come from the 1998 - 1999 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, we examined IPV incidence and use of victim services in relation to economic and social deprivation, controlling for demographic and health variables. Economic deprivation included measures of income, education, health insurance, and employment. Social deprivation was assessed in relation to life satisfaction and availability of social and emotional support. Of the 3,436 women ages 18 and older who comprised the sample, 237 (7.0%) were recent victims of IPV. Incidence of IPV increased with decreasing economic and social resources. IPV was 2 times higher among women with the lowest economic resources (95% CI 1.5, 3.3), and 5 times higher among women with the lowest social resources (95% CI 3.5,7.2), compared with women who had high economic and social resources. Calling the police was associated with economic deprivation (95% CI 1.5, 5.5). Our study provides evidence for the first time at the state level, that economic and social deprivation are important determinants of IPV and points of entry for victim services. Developing and implementing policies to redress economic disparities within the United States are essential for preventing IPV.
Learning Objectives: LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1. Provide participants with an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different data sources for understanding the prevalence and importance of violence against women in the United States. 2. Discuss how to conceptualize and measure social and economic deprivation and why such measures are important for understanding violence against women. 3. Identify how states can develop surveillance systems that are useful for monitoring points of entry for IPV-related criminal justice and medical services. 4. Provide participants with information on federal and state initiatives to keep violence against women on the national public health agenda, both in terms of funding for surveillance systems, and for evaluation of programs to prevent violence against women.
Keywords: Women's Health, Domestic Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.