Operational Research On IPSV

Operational Research

   On

 Intimate   Partner Sexual     Violence

With Financial Support from Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare

 

RESEARCHERS

Dr. Sangeet Jooseery

Mr. Madan Mohit

1.        INTRODUCTION

Intimate Partner Violence refers to behaviour within an intimate relationship that causes physical, sexual or psychological harm, including acts of physical aggression, sexual coercion, psychological abuse and controlling behaviours.

Sexual Violence refers to any sexual act, attempt to obtain a sexual act, unwanted sexual comments or advances, or acts to traffic, or otherwise directed against a person’s sexuality using coercion, by any person regardless of their relationship to the victim, in any setting including but not limited to home and work.

Intimate Partner Violence and Sexual Violence are very much linked to each other in terms of their causes, risks factors and prevention strategies. Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence (IPSV) affects a large proportion of the population – with the majority of those directly experiencing such violence being women and the majority perpetrating it being men.

IPSV shall be understood to encompass, but not be limited to, the following:

·         Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring in the family, including battering, sexual abuse of female children in the household, dowry-related violence, marital rape, female genital mutilation and other traditional practices harmful to women, non-spousal violence and violence related to exploitation;

·         Physical, sexual and psychological violence occurring within the general community, including rape, sexual abuse, sexual harassment and intimidation at work, in educational institutions and elsewhere, trafficking in women and forced prostitution;

·         Physical, sexual and psychological violence perpetrated or condoned by the State, wherever it occurs.

Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (IPSV), very often referred to as sexual assault in the context of domestic violence, is a pervasive and often hidden problem that warrants the focused attention of victim advocates, mental health and law enforcement personnel, psychologists, sociologists and other professionals.

The harm IPSV causes can last a lifetime and span generations with serious adverse effects on physical and mental health, education and employment. As well as causing physical injury, it is associated with an increased risk of a range of sexual and reproductive health problems, with both immediate and long-term consequences. Its impact on mental health can be as serious as its physical impact, and may be equally long lasting. Deaths following IPSV may be as a result of suicide, HIV infection or murder – the latter occurring either during a sexual assault or subsequently, as a murder of ‘‘honour’’ or physical aggression.

IPSV can also profoundly affect the social well-being of victims; individuals may be stigmatized and ostracized by their families and others as a consequence. Coerced sex may result in sexual gratification on the part of the perpetrator, though its underlying purpose is frequently the gender stereotypes and the expression of power and dominance over the person assaulted. Often, men who coerce a spouse into a sexual act believe their actions are legitimate because they are married to the woman. Women and men may also be raped when in police custody or in prison.

IPSV is almost universally underreported because of the risks faced by survivors and witnesses who come forward and by the humanitarian workers, human rights defenders, journalists and others to whom they speak. These risks include severe stigmatization, familial and social shunning and reprisals. In many contexts, the limited availability of services also hampers data gathering. Even where primary health care is available to survivors, staff may lack the capacity and the resources to provide holistic care, most notably psychosocial support and mental health services. In several contexts, service provision is limited also by access restrictions. In the absence of adequate and appropriate services, it is all the more difficult to have a comprehensive understanding of the scale, scope and character of IPSV. Indeed Research on IPSV is scanty and incomplete due to the complexity of the issue and reluctance of victims to speak out.

2.        THE CONTEXT OF THE PRESENT OPERATIONAL RESEARCH

This Research Paper is a product of a study that was conducted in connection with a sensitisation campaign which started in January 2016 to address the issue of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence under the Special Collaborative Programme(SCP) of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare (MGECDFW).The Association for Population and Development (APD) received a grant of approximately 1Million Rupees from the MGECDFW to implement a project which consisted of conducting a series of Information, Educational, Counselling and Advocacy sessions essentially in 4 regions of the Mauritius, namely Abercrombie, Barkly/Chebel, Bambous and Wooton. With support from the National Women Council, and the Gender Unit of the MGECDFW, the campaign was further extended to other regions in Rivière du Rampart, Floreal, Notre Dames, Rivière des Anguilles, Lallmatie, Paillot, Rose Hill, Camp Le Vieux, Richelieu and Flacq.

The fundamental aim of the IPSV prevention programme was to raise greater awareness on the emerging challenges with respect to the types of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence which have increased both globally and locally and to sensitize the population on the measures which need to be taken individually, collectively and institutionally to curb its prevalence, and launch advocacy campaign with the media, policymakers and the community so as to create an engagement for change of attitude and policy to meet the challenges posed by IPSV.

The Ecological Model adopted by WHO has been utilised to address a combination of Individual, Relational, Community, and Societal factors^[2]  that contribute to the risk of becoming a perpetrator or a victim of IPSV.

A Taskforce on Intimate Partner Sexual Violence (IPSV) was set up by the Association for Population and Development (APD) and was vested with the responsibility of implementing the project in the different regions. A major sensitization campaign was launched officially by Hon. Aurore Perraud, Minister of Gender Equality, Child Development and Family Welfare, on 26th March 2016 in Barkly, Beau Bassin.

The programme has also a research based component, intended to study and analyse the specificity of different audiences in different regions of the Island for a more targeted approach. An Operational Research Protocol was consequently developed to collect data and information mainly in 4 regions of the Island. However, as stated above, the support of the National Women Council, and the Gender Unit of the MGECDFW was enlisted to extend the awareness campaign in other regions of the island, consequently providing an expanded opportunity to research in other regions of the Island. Data were collected at Abercrombie, Barkly, Chebel, Bambous, Wooton initially and subsequently at, Rivière du Rampart, Floreal, Notre Dames, Rivière des Anguilles, Lallmatie, Paillot, Rose Hill, Camp Le Vieux, Richelieu and Flacq.

3.    RESEARCH SAMPLING AND   METHODOLOGY

In this research the Convenience Sampling Method was utilized, which means that representative data was drawn by selecting people because of their easy accessibility and availability. APD was already in the field at 15 places around the Island, with greater frequency at Abercrombie, Chebel, Barkly, Bambous and Wooton.

The Target Population was 2000 participants who attended educational and counselling sessions on Intimate Partner Sexual Violence in 15 regions of the Island cited above.

Using Raosoft Sampling Size Calculator, and assuming a 5% margin of error (E) and 95% of level of confidence (the tolerable amount of uncertainty), the sample size (n) has been calculated at 323, rounded to 350, using the formula below:

  x    = Z(c/100)2r(100-r)

  n    = N x/((N-1)E2 + x)

         E     = Sqrt {(N - n)x/n(N-1)}

where N is the population size, r is the fraction of responses that are of interest, and Z(c/100) is the critical value for the confidence level c.

4.        DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Data on Incidence of the IPSV, its causes, the reactions and perceptions of victims, the cultural and gender considerations were collected in 15 regions of the Island using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Trained researchers were used to facilitate the filling of the questionnaires, conduct interviews and Focus Group Discussions especially among those with difficulty of understanding. Special care was taken to ensure that respondents speak out without fear and any feeling of mistrust and loss of confidentiality. Anonymity of respondents was ensured.

A Total of 350 respondents were reached. Data collected were analysed using SPSS. The Cronbach”s alpha was used to test the reliability of the findings.

Both Qualitative and Quantitative Data were collected using the following Survey Instruments:

I.        250 Questionnaires (Quantitative Data) were administered around the Island. The questionnaires were piloted tested among 5 respondents and adjustments as required were made accordingly.

II.        40 Interviews (Qualitative Data) were conducted at Abercrombie, Barkly, Bambous, Chebel, Wooton, Lallmatie, Rivière des Anguilles and Rivière Du Rampart by trained interviewers. An Interview Guideline was developed to ensure that all relevant informations are collected and that uniformity prevails in the process. The interviews guidelines were pilot tested at Chebel and Wooton.

III.        4 Focus Group Discussions (Quantitative and Qualitative Data) were organised among 60 participants at Abercrombie, Chebel, Wooton and Bambous. The Focus Group Discussions were conducted by trained moderators.

5.1     QUANTITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS

5.1.1Background of Participants:

5.1.1 (a) Age of Respondents: the age of respondents cuts across all ages from 12 years of age to 60 and above.

Table 1: Age Distribution of Respondents

AGE	NUMBER
12--18	80
19-25	69
26-45	81
46- 60	68
60-above	52
TOTAL	350

There has been almost equal percentage of respondents in all age groups, although those above the age of 60 were a little smaller, as shown in Figure 1.

5.1.1(b) Gender of Respondents:

While 90% of the respondents of the questionnaires were female, the researchers ensured that there was a gender balance among respondents chosen for the Focus Group Discussions and Interviews. In fact there was a greater percentage of men participating in FGD and Interviews (60%) than women (40%). In general 76% of participants in this research were females, as shown in Table 2.

Table 2: Distribution of Respondents by Gender

SURVEY INSTRUMENTS	MALES (Nm)	FEMALES (Nm)	TOTAL (Nm)	PERCETAGE OF FEMALES
Questionnaires	25	225	250	90
Interviews	25	15	40	37.5
Focus Group Discussions	35	25	60	20
TOTAL	85	265	350	76
TOTAL PERCENTAGE	24	76	100

5.1.1(c) Educational level of Respondents

Of the 350 participants in this study, 55%, 35% and 10% had Primary, Secondary and Tertiary education respectively. Among the 122 of respondents with Secondary education, 40 (33%) were students with special needs at school in Abercrombie between the age of 12 and 18 years.

5.1.2         Knowledge on Intimate Partner Sexual Violence

    I.        83% of respondents declared having no knowledge or not aware of the term “Sexual Violence”

  II.        80% of respondents related Sexual Violence with rape.

III.        90% considered Sexual Violence as physical harm.

IV.        37% of respondents considered intimidation, humiliation, isolation, threats as harmful and not desirable, but do not consider these as sexual abuses

   V.         80% of respondents considered husbands as Intimate Partners

VI.        35% of respondents considered concubines, partners, and any relatives or close friends with whom sexual relationships happen as Intimate Partners

VII.        55% of respondents declared having known of at least one of their friends, relatives and neighbours being abused sexually by their partners

VIII.        52% of respondents were aware that cases of sexual violence could be reported to the Police

IX.        22% of respondents stated that cases of sexual violence can be reported at the “Ministry of Women”

5.1.3         Incidence of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence

  I.            67% of girls and young women between the age of 12 and 18 declared having been sexually abused by their husband, boyfriend, close relatives, step fathers.

II.            60% of women between the ages of 19–45 years declared having been abused during their life by their husband or partner.

III.            41 % of respondents declared having been “raped” by their spouse and intimate partners

IV.            46% of respondents declared having had some form of unwanted sexual advances and harassment from their close relatives

 V.            48% of women respondents reported having had painful sexual activity with their own spouse and intimate partner

VI.              20% of respondents reported having suffered from introduction of foreign body and anal intercourse

VII.            65% of respondents declared having been victims of “stalking” i.e. being harassed by unwanted gifts, instant messages and by following or laying in wait

VIII.            36% of respondents declared being subjects to threats of separation, divorce, deprivation of finance and support, in case of refusal of sexual gratification

IX.            45% of respondents between the ages of 12 and 18   declared having been given gifts in form of chocolate, mobile and even money by close friend and relatives in expectation of dating , “sorties”

X.              17% of respondents declared having been constraint by their partners to watch pornographic movies before repeated sexual abuse

XI.              62% of respondents between the ages of 12-17 years declared being frequently exposed to indecent pornographic images on their mobile

XII.            65% of respondents declared having ever been exposed to exhibitionists, mostly in cars, buses, street corners, nears schools and places of work

XIII.            80% of those who reported having been victims of Sexual violence were those having primary and secondary education. It is noted, however, that 90% of respondents were from this group.

XIV.            From 35 respondents who had tertiary education, 42% declared having been victims of sexual abuse. It can hence be inferred that though Sexual Violence is more prevalent among the lower educated, it cuts across all levels of education.

XV.            Surprisingly two women at the age of 68 and 70 respectively declared suffering the trauma and pain of continuous sexual abuse since their marriage. While the elder is a widow since 10 years, the women at the age of 68 declared still suffering from sexual abuse from her husband aged 70.

5.1.4         Causes of Sexual Violence among Intimate Partners

The causes of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence range from Individual, Relationship, Community and Societal Factors (based on WHO Ecological model) which are all intertwined, as shown in the Figure 3.

I.        65% of respondents mentioned alcohol and drug abuse as the main cause of Sexual Violence among Intimate Partners

II.        55% of respondents declared exposure to pornographic films to have great influence on perpetrators

III.        78% of respondents considered gender inequitable social norms which reinforce male dominance in marriage as an important contributory factor.

IV.        64% of respondents considered conflicting relationship as the cause of sexual violence

V.        24% of respondents considered personality disorders (“mauvais character”) and perpetrator’s conviction to have recourse to violence or threat to counter refusal from spouse and partner

VI.        67% of respondents considered societal stigma, fear and intimidation and the position of economic dependence of women prevent women to denounce perpetrators of Sexual Violence

VII.        45% of respondents considered that there is an insufficient institutional support to protect victims from perpetrators (lack of shelter, long police procedures, inadequate support officers)

	QUALITATIVE DATA ANALYSIS: FINDINGS

 

I.        Domestic, family and intimate partner sexual violence is understood to be a significant and prevalent issue in all the four regions.

II.        The level of personal experience that members of the community have with domestic, family and intimate partner sexual violence significantly influences their perceptions on the seriousness and pervasiveness of the issue.

III.        Field interviews in the different regions reveal that a large proportion of people have varying degrees of personal exposure to the issue of domestic, family and intimate partner sexual violence.

IV.        Individuals with personal experience on the matter generally view the problem as more challenging than people who do not have direct experience.

V.        Whilst there is general agreement that it is an important community issue, it is, nonetheless, acknowledged that domestic, family and intimate partner sexual violence has remained an issue that received a limited amount of community discussion.

VI.        As a major concern, very few people reported having discussed the issue within their peer groups.

VII.        Even among people who clearly had some personal experience with domestic violence it was generally reported as something that they had not discussed with others. A number of factors seem to influence the relative lack of community discussion of the issue of domestic, family and intimate partner sexual violence. These include the overall sensitivity of the problem and its potential flaring elements within the family and the community.

VIII.        Most people report a level of discomfort in confiding such a delicate issue with others for fear of exposing hidden sensitivities. 

IX.        Despite domestic, family and intimate partner sexual violence seeming to be less hidden than in the past, there is still a sense of some social stigma attached to the issue. This stigma is acknowledged to have diminished, but is still often seen as a barrier to open discussion.

X.        Support for victims of family and intimate partner sexual violence is understood to have improved greatly over time. However, it is clear among people with direct experience that a number of inadequacies still exist in the service and support provided.

XI.        The dominant type of violence is that perpetrated by men against women (and children). It is clear that people understand this is an area where the problem is most significant. 

XII.        However, there is a perception also that violence by women against men is not insignificant and more often under-reported.

XIII.        Traditional gender roles are acknowledged to have evolved over time, but a lack of acceptance of this in some areas is seen as a potential source of violence.

XIV.        There is a notion that, where inequality exists in domestic relationships, violence often tends to flow in the direction from the more dominant party to others and this is linked to a desire to exert control.

XV.        Whilst domestic violence is understood to be an issue that crosses regional, demographic and cultural boundaries there are still some views that it tends to be more prevalent in lower socio-economic households.

XVI.        Whilst there is general acknowledgement that domestic violence is not acceptable in any circumstances, there are some seemingly contradictory views that people experiencing domestic violence often try to mitigate the issue.

XVII.      The relationship between the bystander and the parties and the presence of physical violence are the major determinants of whether and how interventions occur.

XVIII.      A wide variety of factors are weighed up when making a decision about possible intervention. Key concerns relate to potential consequences for themselves (including concern for physical safety and concern for future relationship with partners), perceived likelihood of success and perceived further consequences for the victim.

XIX.      It is clear that people generally have a limited range of strategies that they believe may be employed to intervene in cases of violence. These strategies often consist only of ‘confrontation’ and ‘reporting’. In many cases neither of these is seen as suitable or desirable, and hence is limitative. There is generally a lack of communication in this area.

XX.      The perceived lack of a community discussion about the topic is seen to signal a level of diminished importance as a social issue when compared with other issues which are given higher prominence. Communication around the issue is seen to need a higher level of prominence and longevity than seen in the past to truly elevate its seriousness.

XXI.      An ongoing social marketing campaign was observed to be more impacting in its drive to raise the importance of IPSV on the social agenda.

XXII.      Communication needs to target different groups with different messages to be most effective.

XXIII.      Women considered their fears of retaliation, of being rejected or blamed by family members and friends; their fears of reporting to police, of revealing the details of what has remained secret inhibit them from denouncing their abusive  partners

XXIV.      Improved communication about domestic violence, its importance as a social issue and the responsibility of the community and other stakeholders to take steps to reduce its prevalence have been fully emphasized by respondents.

6.        OBSERVATIONS

a)   IPSV is an issue that transgresses all social and geographic boundaries.

b)   Whilst the focus groups set out to gauge community perceptions about the issue, a high proportion of participants was observed to have some awareness of domestic violence but not sexual violence per se.

c)   Women are socialized to see rape as involving non-consensual sex between two strangers. Additionally, there may be reluctance to define a partner a woman loves as a “rapist.”

d)   There’s a common perception that IPSV doesn’t have as bad an impact as sexual assault by a stranger.

e)   Having been raped by a stranger may pave the way for stigmatization and IPSV

f)    A high percentage of participants between the age of 12 and 18 years demonstrated having some personal experience of domestic and sexual violence.

g)   While alcohol and drug abuse has been cited by respondents as a main cause of Sexual Violence, 100% of male and female students in schools with special needs reveal consuming beer and have ever tasted hard liquor.

h)   Some interviewees observed that IPSV seems to be more prevalent in the impoverished segments of some regions.

i)     Broader issues of violence, public health, racism and discrimination, drug addiction and alcohol abuse are often seen as larger community issues as they tend to receive more attention and are more readily discussed by people.

j)    Whilst the social stigma about experiences of domestic violence has declined over time, a large proportion of interviewees report having discussed the domestic physical violence, within their social circle, but not sexual violence.

k)   There is a general perception that in terms of availability of support services there has been an increase in these over time. However, those with some experience express frustration with the performance and availability of these support services.

l)     It is easier for victims of domestic violence to seek support due to the larger number of services available today. Community attitudes, too, have also shifted over time to a point where more supportive attitudes exist towards people experiencing domestic violence.

m) Aligned with the issue of support services is that of enforcement. There are mitigated feelings about the capability of police to deal with issues related to domestic violence and IPSV.

n)   Young people have expressed the need for more concrete action to step up the effectiveness for the protection of victims and the conviction of perpetrators. Whilst they remain unclear about what types of actions police can use, they, nonetheless, expect that this includes assisting victims, arresting perpetrators of violence, prosecuting and enforcing legal instruments, specially the newly amended regulations.

o)   Those with direct experience of sexual violence reported their confusion about some of the enforcement areas. These issues were typically raised by participants of the regional locations. The range of concerns experienced included:

           Ø  Protection Orders are often ignored by most perpetrators or                     are not adequately enforced by the police.

Ø  There is an acknowledgement that police are lacking appropriate resources to cope domestic sexual violence     cases

Ø  In instances where police are genuinely perceived as trying to help, there are some concerns that they are unsupported by juridico-administrative system.

p)   Violence by men against women and children is commonly seen to be the most dominant type of violence.

q)   The types of violence perpetrated by men on women were generally seen to centre not only around physical violence but also on other forms of mental abuse.

r)    Violence by women against men is seen to be less common, but also reported less. There is a belief that this type of violence goes underreported. This is partially seen to be due to the increased stigma associated with males suffering violence at the hands of females.

s)   A view described by some people is that violence in relationships occurs where there is inequality and the direction in which it flows is from the dominant partner to the less dominant partner.

t)    In spite of the acceptance that traditional gender roles have evolved in general, respondents still consider prevailing strong gender stereotypes and sexist attitudes in relationship to be the cause of   sexual violence.

u)   Views on the linkages between socio-economic factors and violence are well understood by the participants. A simplistic view expressed by many people is that the issue of domestic violence is more common in lower socio-economic household.

v)   However, when exploring the issue further, it was found that domestic, family and sexual violence can happen to anyone, since the latter cuts across all demographic groups, including white collar professionals and those in the liberal trade.

w)  The effectiveness of authorities in appropriately addressing and stopping past, present and future violence occurring was raised by some groups and viewed with concern.

x)   Where domestic violence is occurring to family or friends, people express a very real concern that any intervention may be unwanted and could impact on the future relationship. Potentially jeopardizing these close relationships is something that people are uncomfortable with and leads to hesitancy to intervene.

y)   Women do not speak out easily to anyone on IPSV, intimating that sexual life is considered very a private and personal issue not meant to be shared with anybody.

7.        RECOMMENDATIONS

1.   Condemn Marital Rape as a crime indistinctively to non-marital rape

2.   Intensify actions to protect IPSV survivor with a place of refuge, court-orders and provision of assistance on  legal/custody matters

3.   Strengthen community and civil society  participation including religious leaders to campaign against IPSV

4.   Integrate issues of IPSV into ongoing management structures at every level of organizations.

5.   Develop an intensive and comprehensive capacity building programme so as to involve effectively state and non-state actors in addressing IPSV

6.   Set up a special telephone hotline service to assist women at risk, victims of IPSV and to provide immediate information, counseling and remedial measures to ensure safety of victims

7.   Promote Advocacy

Ø  to review existing laws to ensure protection of all against sexual abuse and violence

Ø  to increase comfort level in talking about sex

Ø  to include IPSV in outreach efforts

Ø  to reinforce community partnership and engagement to address IPSV

Ø  to counter socio-cultural issues that reinforce male dominance and power control and gender stereotypes

8.   Intensify efforts to reach a wider section of the population beyond 2016, given the unfinished agenda in the field of IPSV.

8.        CONCLUSION

Research on Intimate Partner Sexual Violence in Mauritius is very scarce and most of the statistics available are drawn from police reports of sexual assaults registered by Statistics Mauritius. As almost all cases of Intimate Partner Sexual Violence are not reported, the situation becomes more complex and blurred.

This Operational Research is meant to gather both qualitative and quantitative information that would help to reinforce strategic interventions for meaningful and effective change. Hence it cannot be extrapolated as to the extent and incidence of IPSV at the national level, more so given the limited range of this study coverage.

However, this study could very well be an indicative of the situation at the national level. This study has evidenced that Intimate Partner Sexual Violence creates a highly dangerous situation and is associated with increased risk of ill health, both physical and mental, severe long-term trauma for victims, physical and psychological harm for young girls, and repeated victimization. Young girls are much more vulnerable.

From teenagers in abusive dating relationships to adults with long-time partners who use sex as a weapon of power and control, victims of IPSV often feel isolated, rejected, stigmatized and misunderstood by many in the family and society and unfortunately by the very professionals to whom they turn for help.

Because IPSV involves both domestic violence and sexual assault, victims’ needs may not be fully addressed by services focusing on one or the other of these issues. A concerted and integrated approach, highlighting the rights of women as human rights, focusing on the gender stereotypes of male dominance and power control and the need to promote equal and respectful partnership within marital life is most desirable.

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