Risk Factors for Domestic Violence in Curacao

• Published in: Journal of interpersonal violence 2012-10, Vol.27 (15), p.3032-3053
• Main Authors: van Wijk, N. Ph. L., de Bruijn, J. G. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Attitude to Health; Caribbean Region; Child; Child Abuse; Child Abuse - statistics & numerical data; Childhood; Conflict; Conflicts; Crime; Crime Victims - statistics & numerical data; Cross-Sectional Studies; Curacao; Divorce; Domestic violence; Education; Emotional Abuse; Family Characteristics; Family Violence; Female; Females; Foreign Countries; Friendship; Gender; Gender Differences; Humans; Interpersonal Relations; Male; Marital Status; Middle Aged; Netherlands Antilles (Curacao); One Parent Family; Poverty - statistics & numerical data; Prevalence; Psychology; Questionnaires; Risk; Risk Factors; Sexual Abuse; Sexual Assault; Sexual Partners; Socioeconomic Factors; Spouse Abuse - statistics & numerical data; Studies; Unemployment; Victimization; Victims; Victims of crime; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0886-2605; 1552-6518
• DOI: 10.1177/0886260512441074

One out of three people (25% of men, 38% of women) in Curacao have experienced some form of domestic violence at some point in their adult lives. The most significant risk factors for domestic violence in Curacao are the female gender, a young age, low education, and experiencing domestic violence victimization in childhood. Divorce, single parenthood, and unemployment increase the risk for women, but not for men. These findings are consistent with current literature on the subject. Further research on the context, nature, and severity of domestic violence in the Caribbean is necessary. Studies should preferably combine the strengths of national crime surveys and family conflict studies: nationally representative samples (including men and women) and questionnaires that include all possible experiences of psychological, physical, and sexual assaults by current and former partners, family, and friends.