engleski

Some Characteristics of Victims of Domestic Violence

Introduction: Recent research has shown that men can also be victims of domestic violence (DV) (1, 2).Findings suggest that domestic violence against elderly persons is poorly identified (1). Estimation is that 10% of persons aged over 65 years are exposed to different types of domestic violence (2). Aim: To investigate some characteristics of domestic violence between male and female victims and the prevalence and type of domestic violence against elderly persons. Subjects and methods: Between January 1, 2011 and May 31, 2015, 3296 persons visited the Counseling Center for Victims of Domestic Violence to seek help. Among them, 794 were men and 2370 were women (mean age: 40.7±11.5 years). 1548 were aged 18-39 years ; 1416 were aged 40-59 years, and 200 were aged over 60 years. Sociodemographic data (gender, age, education level, marital and employment status), violence-related data (perpetrator, duration, type), reporting-related data (notification of police and/or social care services, misdemeanor or criminal charges) and types of intervention were recorded. Results: There was no significant difference in age between men and women who visited the Center (p=0.130). Spouses and partners were significantly more often the perpetrators of domestic violence against women, whereas parents were more often the perpetrators of domestic violence against men. According to the type of domestic violence, men were more often psychologically and sexually abused, whereas women were more often physically and economically abused. Men more often reported violence to the police, and women more often reported violence to a criminal court (p=0.025) or misdemeanor court. Women more often sought help in person, whereas men sought help by a phone or e- mail. Among those aged under 60 years, perpetrators were mostly their partners, whereas among those aged over 60 years, perpetrators were their children in 40% of the cases (p =0.000). Subjects aged over 60 years were exposed to all types of domestic violence (psychological, physical, sexual, and economic) and more often exposed to economic abuse than younger subjects (p=0.035). Subjects aged over 60 reported violence to the police, social care services, and criminal court or sought help significantly less often than younger subjects. Conclusion: Approximately 25% of the victims of DV were men. This finding shows that DV is not only a “women’s issue”. Elderly persons are specifically vulnerable to domestic violence because they rarely seek specific protection and help.

domestic violence, men, type of abuse, perpetrators

nije evidentirano