In order to understand and deal with violence in couple relationships, one needs to take into account both individual factors, such as mental illness, personality disorders and behavioral problems, and social factors, such as upbringing environment, previous experiences of violence and violent behaviour, and normative beliefs about gender and violence.
It is also important to take power relations and inequalities between the sexes into account, as violence in couple relationships is often an expression of unequal power relations between men and women. Gender theoretical perspectives indicate that normative beliefs about masculinity and femininity, gender roles and sexuality can contribute to violence in couple relationships.
In summary, violence in couple relationships is a complex phenomenon that can have many different explanatory models and risk factors. In order to prevent and deal with violence in couple relationships, it is important to have a holistic and multifaceted strategy. This includes looking at both individual and social factors, and working to change normative beliefs about violence in society and developing interventions and strategies that take these factors into account. It is important to point out that all forms of violence are unacceptable and can cause serious physical and psychological consequences for the victim.
It is important to survey violence in close relationships among young people, partly to help identify those who are exposed to violence and to give them the right support and help. Partly to contribute to preventing violence in the future by giving young people knowledge about healthy relationships and how to handle conflicts in a positive way. Adults, including teachers, parents, guardians, youth workers and health professionals, play an important role in identifying and managing intimate partner violence in young people. It is important to create a safe and open environment where young people feel comfortable talking about any violence they are being subjected to or are subjecting someone else to.
Ommej identifies risks within the following types of violence and all areas are affected based on victims and perpetrator perspective, which was reviewed by MÄN and Killar.se.
Threats of violence - humiliation, spreading "outa" on the internet, telling parents, making someone feel bad, threats to break up and threats of sexual violence. If someone you know is exposed to this.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by frequency linked to all of the above.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by asking if the child/youth experiences anxiety and/or wishes for help connected to all of the above.
Physical violence – hit, pinch, put, throw things. If someone they know is exposed to this.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by frequency linked to all of the above.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by asking if the child/youth experiences anxiety and/or wishes for help connected to all of the above.
Sexual violence - threats or blackmail for sexual matters, various forms of sexual violence, forced sex. Different coping strategies to endure. Violent intercourse, sexual humiliation. If someone you know is exposed to this.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by frequency linked to all of the above.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by asking if the child/youth experiences anxiety and/or wishes for help connected to all of the above.
Psychological violence - Controlling behavior - monitors, controls accounts, social media, dictates socializing, appearance and dress, texts, calls incessantly, demands quick response. Offends, insults in front of others me ugly words, jealousy. If someone you know is exposed to this.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by frequency linked to all of the above.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by asking if the child/youth experiences anxiety and/or wishes for help connected to all of the above.
Digital violence - Uses other people's social media against their will, spreads things online, controls social media, spreads things online. GPS / monitoring. If someone you know is exposed to this.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by frequency linked to all of the above.
- If there is a risk, these are followed by asking if the child/youth experiences anxiety and/or wishes for help connected to all of the above.
References
GOOD. Violence in young couples' relationships. 2021
GOOD. Crime in intimate relationships among young people. 2018
GOOD. Violence in young couples' relationships. 2021
Korkmaz et al. Youth intimate partner violence: prevalence, characteristics, associated factors and arenas of violence. 2020
Korkmaz. S. Youth Intimate Partner Violence in Sweden: Prevalence and Young People's Experiences of Violence and Abuse in Romantic Relationships. 2021
RFSL Support reception. Knowledge and experience of working with violent LGBTQ people. 2018)
Ovesen. Intimate partner violence and help-seeking in lesbian and queer relationships. Challenging recognition. 2021
