Search Results (204)

Workplace violence (WV) is a ubiquitous risk in healthcare settings where it has been associated with physical and mental health problems. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the violence experienced by healthcare workers (HCWs) and the presence of eating disorders (EDs). During routine health surveillance, 1215 HCWs were questioned about their experience of WV and the short version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-QS) was used to assess their eating behaviors. Sleep quality, stress, and the presence of common mental illnesses and metabolic disorders were also evaluated. HCWs who had experienced one or more assaults in the previous year had a significantly higher EDE score than their colleagues. In a multivariate model, WV doubled the risk of EDs (odds ratio 2.33, confidence intervals 95% 1.30; 4.18, p < 0.01). A very significant association was observed between common mental disorders and EDs (OR 1.13, CI 95% 1.04; 1.23, p < 0.01), while low sleep quality almost reached a significant level (OR 1.09, CI 95% 0.99; 1.20). The higher frequency of EDs among workers subjected to violence may result from maladaptive coping mechanisms used when stress and mental health problems caused by WV lead to compensatory overeating. However, reverse causation, where WV is induced by stigmatization, cannot be ruled out. Because of the considerable impact EDs have on physical and mental health, productivity, and patient care, healthcare organizations should adopt programs designed to prevent these disorders in HCWs. Full article

Small news media organizations are increasingly reshaping the news media system in Latin America. They are stepping into the role of watchdogs by investigating issues such as corruption scandals that larger outlets sometimes overlook. However, this journalistic work exposes both journalists and their organizations to a range of security threats, including physical violence, legal pressure, and digital attacks. In response, these outlets have developed coping strategies to manage and mitigate such risks. This article presents an exploratory study of the approaches adopted to protect information and data, ensure the safety and well-being of journalists, and maintain organizational continuity. Based on a series of in-depth interviews with leaders of award-winning news organizations for their investigative reporting, the study examines a shift from a competitive newsroom model to a collaborative approach in which information is shared—sometimes across borders—to support investigative reporting and strengthen security practices. We identify strategies implemented by small news organizations to safeguard their journalistic work and propose an integrative model of news safety encompassing the following three areas of security: physical, legal, and digital. This study contributes to the development of the newsafety framework and sheds light on safety practices that support media freedom. Full article

In West Africa, there is a very close link between the phenomenon of trafficking and migrant smuggling. This article will analyze the pressure elements and the causes that drive sub-Saharan people to migrate, placing themselves in the hands of criminal networks that end up exploiting them—women and minors sexually, and men through forced labor. The main corridors departing from West Africa and the characteristics of the criminal groups exercising criminal governance will also be addressed. This research has used both primary and secondary sources, as well as empirical fieldwork consisting of interviews with security force officials, international humanitarian aid organizations, and academic experts on migration issues related to trafficking and smuggling. Our research reveals that the origin of migration is multifactorial. The violence experienced in West Africa, but also the misgovernance, the lack of opportunities for a very young population with limited prospects, and the human insecurity affecting the entire region, are the main reasons that compel people to migrate. In these migration processes, the safety of migrants is compromised as they are forced to start their journey through clandestine means, which exposes them to trafficking networks and thus to violence and exploitation. It is along the migration routes where trafficking and migrant smuggling converge. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mobile healthcare units (MHUs) comprise flexible, ambulatory healthcare teams that deliver community care services, particularly in underserved or remote areas. In Greece, MHUs were pivotal in epidemiological surveillance during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now evolving into a sustainable and integrated service for much-needed community-based healthcare. To support this expanded role, targeted, competency-based training is essential; however, this can pose challenges, especially in coordinating synchronous learning across geographically dispersed teams and in ensuring engagement using an online format. Methods: A nationwide, online training program was developed to improve the knowledge of the personnel members of the Hellenic National Public Health Organization’s MHUs. This program was structured focusing on four core themes: (i) prevention–health promotion; (ii) provision of care; (iii) social welfare and solidarity initiatives; and (iv) digital health skill enhancement. The program was implemented by the University of Crete’s Center for Training and Lifelong Learning from 16 January to 24 February 2025. A multidisciplinary team of 64 experts delivered 250 h of live and on-demand educational content, including health screenings, vaccination protocols, biomarker monitoring, chronic disease management, treatment adherence, organ donation awareness, counseling on social violence, and eHealth applications. Knowledge acquisition was assessed through a pre- and post-training multiple-choice test related to the core themes. Trainees’ and trainers’ qualitative feedback was evaluated using a 0–10 numerical rating scale (Likert-type). Results: A total of 873 MHU members participated in the study, including both healthcare professionals and administrative staff. The attendance rate was consistently above 90% on a daily basis. The average assessment score increased from 52.8% (pre-training) to 69.8% (post-training), indicating 17% knowledge acquisition. The paired t-test analysis demonstrated that this improvement was statistically significant (t = −8.52, p < 0.001), confirming the program’s effectiveness in enhancing knowledge. As part of the evaluation of qualitative feedback, the program was positively evaluated, with 75–80% of trainees rating key components such as content, structure, and trainer effectiveness as “Very Good” or “Excellent.” In addition, using a 0–10 scale, trainers rated the program relative to organization (9.4/10), content (8.8), and trainee engagement (8.9), confirming the program’s strength and scalability in primary care education. Conclusions: This initiative highlights the effectiveness of a structured, online training program in enhancing MHU knowledge, ensuring standardized, high-quality education that supports current primary healthcare needs. Future studies evaluating whether the increase in knowledge acquisition may also result in an improvement in the personnel’s competencies, and clinical practice will further contribute to assessing whether additional training programs may be helpful. Full article

This article thoroughly examines the multidimensional consequences of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) and estimates the monetary costs associated with this kind of violence in Spain for 2022. Based on the accounting model approach, three alternative scenarios are proposed to quantify the direct tangible costs of IPVAW from a microeconomic perspective. Each scenario considers the out-of-pocket expenditures and the opportunity cost of lost income due to IPVAW, borne by the survivor women, their families and relatives, the public sector, and the private organizations. The study utilizes microdata from the latest Spanish Macro-survey on Violence Against Women, conducted in 2019 by the Government Office against Gender-Based Violence (Spanish Government). Results show the costs ranging from EUR 1.38 billion (the most conservative estimate) to EUR 3.01 billion (the highest estimate). Further research is needed to deepen understanding of the mechanisms by which violence affects the various domains and agents of society. Full article

Violence against people with albinism (PWAs) in Tanzania continues nearly two decades after mass media reported the first incidents in the mid-2000s. The violence is linked to organ trafficking for use in “magical rituals” that allegedly help politicians and businesspeople to succeed in their endeavors. Over time, as societal awareness grows, the attacks become increasingly clandestine and complex. PWAs themselves, the public, and gray literature frequently relate the violence to the increased political and economic activity and participation following Tanzania’s adoption of political and economic liberalization. However, scholarly research is either silent or mentions the occult practices only in passing. This paper, therefore, explores Tanzania’s institutional arrangements both driving the violence and crippling the efforts at promoting the rights and welfare of PWAs in the wake of increasing political and economic participation in the country. It discusses the ways in which violence against PWAs has evolved alongside political and economic dynamics from the time such incidents came to public attention until the present. I argue that the current approach, whereby advocacy about the rights of PWAs relies on appeasing the state, appears to perpetuate the very beliefs and practices driving the violence. The exploration makes use of first-hand experience through my participation in numerous formal and informal interactions with PWAs, internal and external meetings within the Tanzania Albinism Society (TAS), interviews, and gray literature on the subject. Full article

Gender equity is one of the most complex contemporary challenges, encompassing political, economic, labor, and cultural dimensions. This study aims to analyze the impact of public policies, labor practices, and social movements in promoting gender equity across various socio-political contexts. To answer the central question of how these elements influence a reduction in gender inequalities, a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted, complemented by a Bibliometric Analysis, following PRISMA protocol guidelines. The bibliographic search, carried out in the Scopus database, covered the period from 2015 to 2025 and identified 26 relevant studies that met the predefined inclusion criteria. The results reveal that, despite progress in formulating policies aimed at combating gender-based violence and promoting equality, the implementation of these measures is hindered by a lack of inter-institutional coordination and the persistence of deeply rooted cultural norms. Likewise, structural inequalities in the labor sphere are evident, such as the gender wage gap and barriers to professional advancement. On the other hand, social movements have emerged as key actors—including governmental institutions, civil society organizations, and healthcare providers—in highlighting and transforming these disparities by driving changes in political agendas and increasing women’s representation in decision-making positions. In summary, this study underscores the need to adopt intersectional and comprehensive approaches to achieve effective and sustainable gender equity, while comparing the influence of policies across different global regions. Full article

This article explores the rise of organized crime and violence within the Palestinian community in Israel, focusing on the past two decades. It examines the internal fragmentation of the community, Israeli policies that exacerbated these divisions, and the impact of these factors on the surge in criminal activity. The article further analyzes community responses, highlighting faith-based initiatives like the Committee for Spreading Peace (CSP), led by Sheikh Raed Salah. This initiative, although limited in resources, seeks to address the cycle of violence through prevention, mediation, and collaboration with local authorities in Israel. However, the CSP faces significant challenges, including distrust in Israeli government efforts and the deep-rooted involvement of criminal organizations in local politics. The article concludes that while initiatives like CSP offer hope, a more comprehensive and collaborative approach is needed to effectively combat organized crime and restore community cohesion. Such approaches will also have implications for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict and possible future community-based initiatives. Full article

Drawing from the insights of community partners, this study explored the roles and benefits of arts-based approaches to foster civic learning, critical media literacy, and community engagement. It also uncovered approaches to promote kindness, prevent violence, and combat online extremism, offering insights into strategies that may enhance community engagement and create a positive impact. We presented our model framework, a detailed case study of our project, and qualitative methods incorporating 15 interviews with our community partners to capture a broad range of perspectives and experiences. Interviewees were community partners who collaborated with our project in organizing events and activities using an arts-based approach to promote kindness, awareness, and violence prevention since the inception of the project. Data were analyzed using thematic data analysis. We categorized the community partners’ responses into four key themes: (1) the inherent benefits of the arts, (2) promoting kindness and preventing violence through artistic expression, (3) teaching civic responsibility through the arts, and (4) practical strategies for collaborating with community partners. The practice implications and lessons learned were discussed. Full article

Gender-based violence is a social problem that affects the health of women in all countries, cultures, ages and economic status; its complexity requires a transdisciplinary approach. However, this study will emphasize the care provided by nursing in emergency services. Objectives: To explore the experiences of nursing professionals in the emergency area in relation to the approach to gender-based violence considering care management skills. Methods: A qualitative study with semi-structure interviews was conducted; the saturation was reached with the participation of 20 nursing professionals from emergency rooms. The study employed qualitative content analysis and the software QCAmap for organization and extraction of analysis. Results: The category called “Specific Approaches to Risk and Vulnerability” was characterized by its comprehensiveness, evident in its association with experiences in screening, follow-up, measures to prevent re-victimization, and ensuring privacy. The most relevant subcategories, based on the redundancy, were empathy, which encompasses affective aspects; education on forms of abuse not recognized by the victim; and multidisciplinary and multisectoral action to address patients’ needs effectively. Conclusions: Nursing professionals valued both the psychological and physical aspects of patients, highlighting the importance of multidisciplinary coordination and the protection of integrity. Awareness and offering help are key interventions during the activation of protocols for addressing gender-based violence. Full article

Interventions to support mothers experiencing interpersonal violence are critical, yet most evaluation research focuses on outcome evaluation, rather than understanding the pathways of change. The goal of the current study was to understand, via mothers’ own perspectives, the specific key pathways through which participation in an interpersonal violence intervention resulted in perceptions of change for mothers and their children. The participants (N = 43, 18–43 years old) were mothers who attended and completed a 6–8-week interpersonal violence intervention within 11 community organizations across Canada. Approximately 1–2 months following the intervention, participants completed semi-structured interviews or focus groups wherein they were asked open-ended questions about their experiences in the intervention. Using a phenomenological approach, the results indicated that (1) mothers were able to identify changes in their cognitions and behaviors across three key domains (self, relationships, and parenting), (2) mothers linked these changes to their experiences in the intervention. We integrated and mapped the perceived pathways of change experienced by mothers, which included critical pathways involving self-compassion and self-forgiveness leading to self-esteem and empowerment. The results have implications for our ability to effectively deliver this interpersonal violence intervention, as well as more broadly to improve our understanding of the pathways of change for mothers experiencing violence in relationships. Full article

Natural and human-made disasters, community violence, climate change, and political instability engender mental health problems worldwide. Childhood traumas, now recognized as commonplace and global in nature, augment the urgent need for mental health interventions that are accessible and scalable. The World Health Organization has called for innovative strategies that extend beyond traditional cognitive approaches. Biologically based methods are gaining recognition for their significant role in affect regulation and wellness promotion. This paper explores the potential for interventions focusing on interoceptive awareness, or noticing sensations arising from the body, to address mental health challenges, especially relevant for populations affected by trauma. The Community Resiliency Model (CRM)^®, a low-intensity, body-based intervention that cultivates interoceptive awareness, is described and compared to other well-being interventions. Available research studies, program evaluations and anecdotal reports are presented in addition to CRM’s biological and theoretical underpinnings. The neurobiology of trauma, interoception research, and the concept of neural synchrony are briefly introduced, further explaining the likely mechanism of action and an underlying rationale for the reported improvements in well-being and resilience among individuals and communities who learn CRM body awareness techniques. Given increasing global demand and limited access to conventional mental health services, CRM and the six core skills that are taught in this model offer a promising, transferable, self-care strategy. Community dissemination has the potential to expand access in underserved populations. This review concludes by suggesting future research directions, such as the exploration of biophysical outcomes, intra- and interpersonal synchrony, and evaluation of interoceptive training for emotional regulation and populations affected by trauma or violence. Full article

(1) Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused from rapid head acceleration/deceleration, focal blows, blasts, penetrating forces, and/or shearing forces, whereas hypoxic–anoxic injury (HAI) is caused through oxygen deprivation events, including strangulation. Most service-seeking domestic violence (DV) survivors have prior mechanistic exposures that can lead to both injuries. At the time of our study, some evidence existed about the exposure to both injuries over the course of a survivor’s lifetime from abuse sources, yet little was known about their co-occurrence to the same survivor within the same episode of physical intimate partner violence (IPV). To better understand the lived experience of service-seeking DV survivors and the context in which partner-inflicted brain injury (PIBI) is sustained, we sought to understand intentional brain injury (BI) exposures that may need to be addressed and accommodated in services. Our aims were to 1. characterize the lifetime co-occurrence of strangulation and intentional head trauma exposures from all abuse sources to the same survivor and within select physical episodes of IPV and 2. establish the lifetime prevalence of PIBI. (2) Methods: Survivors seeking DV services in the state of Ohio in the United States of America (U.S.) completed interview-administered surveys in 2019 (n = 47). Community-based participatory action approaches guided all aspects of the study development, implementation, and interpretation. (3) Results: The sample was primarily women. Over 40% reported having Medicaid, the government-provided health insurance for the poor. Half had less than a postsecondary education. Over 80% of participants presented to DV services with both intentional head trauma and strangulation exposures across their lifetime from intimate partners and other abuse sources (i.e., child abuse, family violence, peer violence, sexual assault, etc.), though not always experienced at the same time. Nearly 50% reported an experience of concurrent head trauma and strangulation in either the first or last physical IPV episode. Following a partner’s attack, just over 60% reported ever having blacked out or lost consciousness—44% experienced a loss of consciousness (LOC) more than once—indicating a conservative estimate of a probable brain injury by an intimate partner. Over 80% of service-seeking DV survivors reported either a LOC or two or more alterations in consciousness (AICs) following an IPV attack and were classified as ever having a partner-inflicted brain injury. (4) Conclusions: Most service-seeking IPV survivors experience repetitive and concurrent exposures to abusive strangulation and head trauma through the life course and by intimate partners within the same violent event resulting in brain injury. We propose the use of the term partner-inflicted brain injury (PIBI) to describe the physiological disruption of normal brain functions caused by intentional, often concurrent and repeated, traumatic and hypoxic neurologic insults by an intimate partner within the context of ongoing psychological trauma, coercive control, and often past abuse exposures that could also result in chronic brain injury. We discuss CARE (Connect, Acknowledge, Respond, Evaluate), a brain-injury-aware enhancement to service delivery. CARE improved trauma-informed practices at organizations serving DV survivors because staff felt knowledgeable to address and accommodate brain injuries. Survivor behavior was then interpreted by staff as a “can’t” not a “won’t”, and social and functional supports were offered. Full article

This study examines the intersection of race, class, and gang violence in Singapore, with a particular focus on the structural dynamics linking racial minorities, street gangs, and institutionalized Chinese secret societies—the archetype of organized crime in the city-state. By integrating race as both an ideology and a system of social relations into the study of gang formation, this research sheds light on why and how racial minorities become disproportionately involved in gang violence. The study revealed that beyond economic marginalization, racialized hierarchies embedded within gang contexts shape the motivations, participation, and mobility of minority individuals in both street gangs and the broader criminal underworld. Drawing on the concept of racialized masculinity, it is argued that racial minorities mobilize their gender and racial resources to compensate for status disparities resulting from structural exclusion in both legitimate and illegitimate spheres. In a postcolonial, multiracial society, like Singapore, where racial and class marginalization intersect, gang affiliation emerges as a means of negotiating power and social standing. The findings contribute to scholarship on race, crime, and social stratification while informing policies aimed at addressing racial inequalities and reducing gang violence. Full article

This article examines the audiovisual representation of violence during the armed takeover of the Ecuadorian television channel TC Television on 9 January 2024, an unprecedented event in the country’s recent media history. Employing a film analysis methodology, the study deconstructs the live broadcast by segmenting it into visual sequences and analyzing elements such as narrative content, shot composition, camera movement, sound design, and editing techniques. The interpretive phase includes narratological, iconic, and psychoanalytic readings. From a psychoanalytic perspective, the study explores the emotional impact of the broadcast on viewers, focusing on responses such as fear, anxiety, identification, projection, and the activation of psychological defense mechanisms. It also reflects on the broader sociocultural consequences of such representations of violence in public media. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for public investment in inclusive and high-quality education as a structural response to youth vulnerability, school dropout, and the risk of recruitment by organized criminal groups in Ecuador. Full article