Research suggests that conditions of a first sexual encounter, such as age and consent, can indicate future risk of HIV infection and gender-based violence. Adolescent girls and young women who experience forced or coerced sex encounters are four to five times more likely to face ongoing gender-based violence.
According to a new analysis by New York University researchers, US cities have become dramatically safer since 1991, with most becoming less violent over the last year. However, recent fluctuations in selected cities suggest temporary disruptions in this 17-year decline, with some cities experiencing rising violence from 2014 to 2017.
A team of Stanford statisticians, led by Brad Efron and Mike Baiocchi, developed an evidence-based program to prevent rape in Nairobi's poorest schools. The program, which involves training girls to be aware of common scenarios and empower them to register their will, has been shown to cut the rate of sexual assault in half.
Researchers recommend that physicians assess lethality and readiness to change, as well as comorbid medical conditions. They should refer perpetrators to trained therapists and offer education on IPV's negative impact on victims and abusers. Regular follow-up is also necessary to support behavior change.
A therapist-based intervention significantly reduced dating violence perpetration and depression symptoms in teens. The study found a 47% lower rate of self-reported dating violence among participants who received the intervention compared to those without one.
A new study found that hopes and plans for the future are associated with lower odds of perpetrating weapon-related violence among predominantly black/African American male youths in low-resource neighborhoods. The study used survey data from a violence prevention trial in Pittsburgh.
A study by Daniel Gilbert and colleagues found that as the prevalence of a problem is reduced, humans naturally redefine the problem itself. This can lead to missing the fact that the problem has been solved. The phenomenon was demonstrated in several experiments using different types of problems, including blue dots and faces.
A new study by University of Kansas researchers reveals that public concern over terrorist attacks is driven by perceived identities of victims and locations where the attacks occurred. The study found that people tend to impute characteristics of victims based on their country of origin, which influences their perception of threat.
A study published in Evolution & Human Behaviour found that social bonding and a desire to protect fellow fans are key motivations for football hooliganism and extremist group behaviour. The research suggests that reducing membership to extreme groups may not prevent violence, but tapping into their commitment could have positive effects.
A new study by Johns Hopkins University found that children attending school with peers from violent neighborhoods score as much as 10% lower on standardized math and reading tests. Exposure to neighborhood violence has a significant impact on an entire school's functioning, affecting not only students but also their classmates.
The ViEWS system assesses the risk of three forms of political violence and makes predictions for countries and actors. The forecasts are compared to actual events and models are revised to optimize predictions, with a focus on transparency and open-source data.
Experts say current marketing of sexbots is misleading due to lack of research on their pros and cons. While they may have therapeutic potential, their impact on society remains unclear.
A study found that tweets containing moral rhetoric may signal whether a protest will turn violent. Researchers developed a model to detect moralized language, which nearly doubled on days when clashes among protesters and police became violent.
Researchers analyze the historical use of symbols like the dove and rainbow in artistic depictions of peace. From ancient theatre to modern media motifs, these depictions highlight the power of love displacing violence in conveying a message of peace.
The MDMA-assisted psychotherapy trial at UConn Health will specifically recruit people from communities of color with PTSD, focusing on experiences of racial violence and discrimination. The treatment has shown promise in reducing symptoms and allowing patients to process their trauma into something stronger.
Research estimates that police violence resulted in over 57,000 years of life lost in 2015-16, disproportionately affecting young people and people of color. The study uses The Counted database to track deaths and injuries due to police violence, highlighting the need for better data to inform policy.
A pilot study found that machine learning algorithms can accurately predict students at risk of perpetrating school violence, outperforming human assessments in some cases. The technology has the potential to aid in preventing school violence by identifying high-risk individuals and providing targeted interventions.
A combination of meditation and aerobic exercise significantly reduces post-traumatic and ruminative thoughts in women with a history of sexual violence. The study found that this intervention enhances self-worth in all participants, regardless of the individual activity.
A recent study found that malnutrition and anemia prevalence among Rohingya children in a Bangladeshi refugee camp is alarming, exceeding emergency thresholds of 15% and 40%, respectively. The study highlights the urgent need for targeted nutrition support to address this critical public health issue.
A study found that three key factors contributed to collective action in rescuing Tutsi during the genocide: biographical availability, socialization, and situational context. Many rescuers were older, had higher socioeconomic status, and came from families with a history of saving Tutsi.
A University of British Columbia study found that indoor sex workers in Canada use creative strategies to protect themselves from violence, but these efforts are limited by stigma and lack of legal protections. The study highlights the need for clear laws and policies to recognize sex work and prevent harm.
A national sample of transgender individuals reported high levels of concern about violence and discrimination related to the 2016 US Presidential election. The majority had been directly exposed to hate speech and violence, with many expressing concerns that the election may have emboldened these acts.
A study found significant variations in mortality rates due to alcohol and drug use disorders, self-harm, and interpersonal violence among US counties. Between 1980 and 2014, approximately 2.8 million deaths were attributed to these causes across the country.
A nationwide study found that one in five teachers who experienced physical or verbal violence at their schools didn't report the incidents to school administrators. The study also showed that significant minorities of teachers who experienced violence also didn't tell their colleagues (14 percent) or family (24 percent).
In conflict-affected populations, adolescent girls are perceived as responsible for their own safety and burdened by violence, with communities holding differing views on responding to abuse. Research highlights the need for programs addressing victim-blaming and silencing experiences of violence through community structures.
A study found that restoring vacant land plots significantly reduced crime and vandalism, while increasing feelings of safety and use of public spaces. Residents near restored land plots reported a decrease in overall crime rates, reflecting the interventions' effectiveness.
A study published by NYU Steinhardt School finds that all children with disabilities experience violence from birth in West Africa. Violence begins as soon as children are born, and varies depending on the type of impairment.
A comparative study of 1,227 individuals from three groups and seven cultures found that perceived threats to culture, traditions, and values predict outgroup hostility and violence. The research suggests that a 'Clash of Cultures' mentality underlies some Muslim-Western conflicts.
A new study found that the presence of sexual violence in neighborhoods significantly affects women's perceptions of safety, as well as men's. Men and women both report feeling less safe due to other forms of violence such as fights and robberies.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that social media coverage of fatal police-citizen incidents can act as a virtual contagion, leading to future violence against law enforcement. The research also suggests that an unexpected increase in officer line-of-duty deaths is associated with an increase in the number of minority citizens ...
A Twitter campaign against Donald Trump's comments on sexual assault found a large number of tweets calling for boys and men to shut down degrading conversations. The study urges men to resist engaging in or shutting down conversations that are degrading to women, finding it makes an impact on preventing sexual assault and harassment.
A field experiment found that a belief in group malleability reduces negative attitudes and increases willingness to make concessions with Palestinians. The intervention achieved sustained long-term reductions compared to the control group.
A six-year prostitution decriminalization policy in Rhode Island resulted in a significant decrease in female gonorrhea incidence by more than 40 percent. Additionally, rape offenses decreased by 30 percent. Decriminalization may also lead to safer work spaces and increased cooperation with police.
A study published in Springer's Sex Roles journal found that men under the influence of alcohol are more likely to objectify women. The researchers used eye-tracking technology to analyze how men viewed images of attractive and unattractive women, revealing that intoxication increases the likelihood of viewing women as sexual objects.
A new scientific statement by the American Heart Association links childhood abuse and adversity to a greater likelihood of developing cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. Adversity is defined as any threat to physical safety or family structure, including emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.
A simulation model found that investing in targeted policing and the community-based strategy Cure Violence can effectively reduce urban violence. The study suggests that a combination of both approaches may be more effective than either alone.
A study found that teenage survivors of a terror attack were four times more likely to have migraines and three times more likely to have frequent tension headaches than non-survivors. The study suggests that highly stressful events may lead to ongoing suffering with debilitating headaches.
A nationwide study of school principals found that most had assisted a victim recently but lacked formal training and specific protocols. The researchers emphasized the need for more training to address this issue effectively, highlighting the importance of schools in preventing teen dating violence.
A University of Cincinnati study finds that mindful yoga and positive coping strategies can reduce risky behaviors in troubled 18- to 24-year-olds. The intervention programs taught youths to control their breathing and emotions, leading to healthier long-term coping skills.
Antipodal words, encapsulating opposites, offer sharp communication and irony. They articulate predation, violence, and human excess, briefly opening a semiotic window onto the unspeakable.
Researchers developed a set of tools to assess the risk of violent extremism in college populations. Key findings include feelings of injustice, personal grievances, and marginalization as risk factors.
A new study by Duke University researchers found that child abuse and violence are associated with higher high school dropout rates, particularly among girls who experienced childhood violence. The study suggests that policies aimed at reducing violence against children may also help lower the national dropout rate.
A VCU-led study found that individuals who exhibit sadistic tendencies are more likely to seek revenge against those who have wronged them. The research identified a multidimensional link between physical aggression, impulsivity, and aggressive pleasure in relation to revenge-seeking behavior.
A new study by Binghamton University found that most men tend to confuse sexual interest with consent, but perceptions vary more due to situational factors. The researchers identified a precedence effect, where men equate past behavior with future consent, and the influence of rape myths on men's perceptions.
A study presented at the Radiological Society of North America annual meeting found characteristic injuries among patients referred to domestic abuse and sexual assault programs. These injuries, including soft tissue injuries and extremity fractures, can alert radiologists to potential intimate partner violence. The findings suggest a ...
A study by Brigham and Women's Hospital reveals common clinical and radiologic patterns indicative of intimate partner violence (IPV) in radiology images. Radiologists can identify soft tissue injuries, extremity fractures, and facial fractures to spark a conversation with referring physicians about potential IPV.
The study suggests alternative terms like 'maternal abuse by children' to clarify the main victim. Researchers found that mothers are predominantly victims, followed by fathers, who often face abuse alongside their mothers. The study emphasizes the need for further research from a legal perspective.
A recent study by Nicole Johnson found that 50% of bisexual women have experienced rape at some point in their lifetime, with approximately 75% reporting sexual violence. The study identifies three factors contributing to higher rates of sexual violence among bi women: substance use, hypersexualization, and biphobic harassment.
Research finds that workplace bullying and violence increase the risk of type 2 diabetes for both men and women. The study, published in Diabetologia, suggests that these negative interpersonal relationships can activate stress responses and contribute to metabolic changes and obesity.
Researchers found that exposure to community violence is associated with increased antisocial behavior in children and adolescents, regardless of pre-existing conduct disorder. The study suggests that prevention programs can help break the cycle of violence.
A recent study by researchers at the University of Illinois found that women who experienced coercive controlling violence in their marriages continued to experience higher levels of harassment, conflict, and volatility from their former partners during the first year. In contrast, women who experienced situational couple violence saw ...
A Florida State University researcher challenges the idea that modern civilization reduces violence by arguing it may actually increase the likelihood of surviving a war. Studies on chimpanzees and human societies show that larger populations lead to more deaths in conflicts.
Research found a 3% decrease in assaults on Mondays after the start of Daylight Saving Time, challenging previous assumptions about sleep deprivation's impact on crime. The study suggests that increased sleep may be associated with more offending behavior, but internal biases and short-term effects are likely causes.
Researchers Dean Falk and Charles Hildebolt question the idea that larger populations are less prone to violence. Contrary to Steven Pinker's theory, they found that war deaths scale similarly with population sizes across all levels of human society.
A study found that having a parent with an alcohol use disorder increases the risk of teenage dating violence. Researchers identified family dynamics in infancy and middle childhood as critical factors in the development of aggression and dating violence.
The National Crime Victims Research & Treatment Center is developing a Mass Violence and Victimization Resource Center to provide fast and comprehensive services to those affected by mass casualty events. The center will focus on social support, mental health treatment, and technology-based tools to help survivors and their families.
A study of 27 defendants in the Rwandan genocide trial found that most tried to justify their actions by claiming they were 'good people'. Researchers analyzed testimony and identified two neutralization techniques: appeal to good character and victimization, which were used more frequently than previously known methods.
A study by researchers at the University of Seville found that individuals with lower levels of education are 10.32 times more likely to commit violent crimes than those with high educational levels. Additionally, prisoners diagnosed with functional mental illness were 3.5 times more likely to commit or attempt murder.
Researchers suggest that understanding the root cause of fan violence could lead to positive outcomes and even reduce extremism. By harnessing motivations such as loyalty and belonging, football fans can be encouraged to channel their energy into pro-social activities.
A team of researchers from the Data Science Institute at Columbia are developing tools to flag aggressive social media posts from gangs and ISIS, aiming to prevent violent escalation. They will use natural language processing and machine learning techniques to analyze millions of tweets from gang members in Chicago and ISIS recruits.