Male partner violence involves repeated abuse, committed by an intimate partner, someone you know and care about, over a period of time. A woman who has experienced this unimaginable betrayal by her intimate partner, the man she believed would protect and cherish her, struggles with the many complexities involved in male partner violence. I use autoethnography as methodology to share my own personal story of male partner violence and I explore, examine, and challenge the socio-cultural and socio-political norms that influenced me to stay in an abusive relationship and also leave the relationship. I include the knottiness of my healing journey after moving out and moving on. I use a silkscreen portrayal of male partner violence, a pen and ink self-portrait, photographs, poetry, court documents and journal entries to explore different perspectives of my experience and to examine the relationship between seeing, thinking, and knowing, and the complex nature of my experience of male partner violence. I struggle and untangle what kept me in the marriage for so long and share the stimulus for why I eventually left and I examine the very troubling effects of male partner violence on myself and my children. I share my guilt, shame, grief and loss but I also recognize my resourcefulness, strength, and determination to survive and move beyond male partner violence. I made many decisions along the way and I always felt caught in a losing dichotomy every time. Through a feminist way of viewing male partner violence and autoethnographic writing, I also examine social perceptions of male partner violence, domination, the loss of voice and power that occurs and the lack of support from traditional social institutions. While I understand that women experience male partner violence in different ways, this is my personal experience of living with and leaving male partner violence.

Even though social work research on violence against women has increased in the last decade (Slayter, 2009), there is little research on social workers’ understanding of disabled women’s experiences of male partner violence (MPV). When there is a gap in research and practice evidence, this may lead to less than ideal work experiences because social workers may be lacking crucial information, to deliver meaningful support and assistance to disabled women. Given these findings, it was essential to hear from social workers who had worked with disabled women who had experienced MPV. The aim of this investigation was to inquire about social workers’ perspectives, theoretical approaches and practice contexts related to disabled women who had experienced MPV. In this collective case study, sources of data that were accessed included federal and provincial government legislation, position documents, provincial archives, academic literature and thematic analysis of ten transcribed interviews of key participants. Findings showed that even though provincial government policies or programs were the main influences on social workers’ practices with disabled women who had experienced MPV, work settings and social workers’ attitudes also played a crucial role in how participants understood disability and male partner violence. Social workers in this current study often found themselves in the middle, trying to respect service users by meeting their needs, while remaining accountable to a system that demanded efficiency and accountability. Social workers often advocated for disabled women because of barriers such as a lack of accessible housing, transportation or work. Factors such as social welfare policies, social work education and training that shaped social workers’ practices could be strengthened to help them to better meet the needs of disabled women who have experienced MPV. / May 2017

The study was conducted in northern Ghana to determine the scope of male partner violence (MPV) against women, identify the factors associated with this problem as well as point out the health implications of MPV. In a sample of 443 married women drawn from outpatient populations across six district health centers we found that nearly 7 out of 10 women have experienced some MPV: 62% have experienced psychological violence; 29% have experienced physical violence; and 34% have experienced sexual violence. A multiple regression analysis showed that male controlling behavior, number of children, presence of concubines, partner appreciation, and very good health significantly predicted Total Violence. The results showed that the more controlling a husband is the more likely his wife is to experience severe violence and that more children in the marriage is associated with more violence for the women. Marriage duration was significantly positively correlated with violence, indicating that the longer the time since a woman got married, the more likely she experiences violence. Husband’s education was significantly negatively correlated with violence, indicating that husband education has a decreased effect on violence. Logistic regression and ANOVA models identified a number of socio-demographic factors as significant correlates of MPV. These include couple’s unemployment, particularly husband unemployment, being young – under 30 years and being younger than the husband, presence of concubines, being Muslim or Traditional, living in a rural setting, husband alcohol use, being a healthy woman, and not being appreciated by the husband. We found that MPV is associated with physical and mental health difficulties among women. Some 47 women reported having sustained multiple injuries, including sprains, broken bones and teeth, cuts, and burns. Mental health difficulties among these women included partner phobia, sleep deprivation, and thoughts of suicide. We make recommendations that call on government and other stakeholders to initiate policy that provides services to women experiencing MPV and that implements education and campaign programs to eventually eliminate MPV in Ghana generally.

The study was conducted in northern Ghana to determine the scope of male partner violence (MPV) against women, identify the factors associated with this problem as well as point out the health implications of MPV. In a sample of 443 married women drawn from outpatient populations across six district health centers we found that nearly 7 out of 10 women have experienced some MPV: 62% have experienced psychological violence; 29% have experienced physical violence; and 34% have experienced sexual violence. A multiple regression analysis showed that male controlling behavior, number of children, presence of concubines, partner appreciation, and very good health significantly predicted Total Violence. The results showed that the more controlling a husband is the more likely his wife is to experience severe violence and that more children in the marriage is associated with more violence for the women. Marriage duration was significantly positively correlated with violence, indicating that the longer the time since a woman got married, the more likely she experiences violence. Husband’s education was significantly negatively correlated with violence, indicating that husband education has a decreased effect on violence. Logistic regression and ANOVA models identified a number of socio-demographic factors as significant correlates of MPV. These include couple’s unemployment, particularly husband unemployment, being young – under 30 years and being younger than the husband, presence of concubines, being Muslim or Traditional, living in a rural setting, husband alcohol use, being a healthy woman, and not being appreciated by the husband. We found that MPV is associated with physical and mental health difficulties among women. Some 47 women reported having sustained multiple injuries, including sprains, broken bones and teeth, cuts, and burns. Mental health difficulties among these women included partner phobia, sleep deprivation, and thoughts of suicide. We make recommendations that call on government and other stakeholders to initiate policy that provides services to women experiencing MPV and that implements education and campaign programs to eventually eliminate MPV in Ghana generally.

Syfte/frågeställningar: Studiens syfte är via en scoping-review diskutera och analysera olika perspektiv på äldre kvinnors våldsutsatthet av en manlig partner. För att specificera syftet och tydliggöra vilka ämnen arbetet är avgränsat till har följande frågeställningar formulerats: På vilket sätt är äldre kvinnor en särskilt utsatt grupp när det kommer till våld i nära relationer? Hur hanteras äldre kvinnors våldsutsatthet av professionella aktörer i jämförelse med unga kvinnors våldsutsatthet? Hur behöver hjälp och stöd utformas för att lyckas bemöta äldre våldsutsatta kvinnors behov?Bakgrund: Våld i nära relationer är ett allvarligt samhällsproblem som drabbar olika målgrupper. Vissa målgrupper beskrivs vara särskilt sårbara, däribland äldre kvinnor. Dessa är sårbara bland annat till följd av egna och andras värderingar, som försvårar uppbrott och möjlighet till adekvat stöd. Mörkertalet gällande mäns våld mot kvinnor är stort, samtidigt som det konstateras att våld mot äldre kvinnor är ett växande problem.Metod: Genom en scoping-review undersöks det befintliga forskningsfältet för manligt partnervåld mot äldre kvinnor.Resultat: Studien resulterar i fyra olika huvudteman med två eller tre underteman. Funna huvudteman är: (1) Ett försummat kunskapsområde, (2) En multipel utsatthet som kräver en intersektionell analys, (3) Föråldrade föreställningar och förväntningar, (4) Attityder och bemötande.Konklusion: Äldre kvinnor är en särskilt utsatt grupp som behöver bemötas och ges insatser utifrån olika aspekter som följer av att vara äldre och att vara kvinna. Det framhålls också att äldre kvinnor är en mindre prioriterad grupp inom forskning och hos professionella, i jämförelse med yngre kvinnor utsatta för våld av en manlig partner. Mer kunskap behövs om målgruppen, men kunskap behövs också hos målgruppen själv, bland annat gällande våldsdefinitioner och befintlig hjälp. / Purpose/Questions: The purpose of this study is to discuss and analyze different perspectives on older women´s exposure to violence, perpetrated by a male partner. In order to specify our purpose and to clarify what topics this study is delimited to, following questions were defined: In which ways are older women a particularly vulnerable group regarding domestic violence? How is older women's exposure to violence handled by professionals, in comparison to younger women´s exposure to violence? What does help and support need to consist of in order to meet older women´s needs, when exposed to violence?Background: Domestic violence is a serious problem in society which affects different groups of people. Some groups are particularly vulnerable, including older women. These women are vulnerable among reasons such as their own and other people's values, which obstruct the possibility to break free and acquire adequate support. Men´s violence against women is a problem where the hidden statistics are stated, despite this it is assumed to be a growing problem.Method: Using a Scoping review the field of research regarding male partners violence on older women is examined.Result: The study finds four different main-themes consisting of two or three subthemes. The developed main-themes are: (1) A neglected area of knowledge, (2) A multiple exposure which demands an intersectional approach, (3) Outdated beliefs and expectations, (4) Attitudes and treatment.Conclusion: Older women are a particularly vulnerable group who needs to be treated and given support based on different aspects following being old and being a woman. It is emphasized that old women are less prioritized in research and by professionals, in comparison with younger women who are violently perpetrated by a male partner. The knowledge concerning older women and violence needs to be expanded, while old women themselves need to be enlightened, such as current definitions of violence and available support.