Professionals' Views on the Comparatively Low Prevalence of Intimate Partner Violence Against Women in Spain. (May 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Castro, Arabella; Lila, Marisol; Gracia, Enrique; Wemrell, Maria
• Is Part Of: Violence against women. Volume 28:Number 6/7(2022)
• Page Start: 1565
• Page End: 1586
• Publication Date: 2022-05
• Subjects: intimate partner violence against women -- qualitative study -- law and policies -- social awareness -- cultural patterns; Abused women -- Periodicals; Women -- Crimes against -- Periodicals; Violent crimes -- Periodicals; Femmes victimes de violence -- Périodiques; Femmes, Crimes contre les -- Périodiques; Crimes violents -- Périodiques; 362.8292
• DOI: 10.1177/10778012211021106
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1077-8012

Abstract

The aim of this study was to understand the reasons why Spain has one of the lowest prevalence rates of intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) in the European Union. Using a qualitative and inductive research approach, a total of five focus groups ( n = 19) and 10 unstructured interviews with key informants were conducted. Three main categories were identified as possible explanations of the relatively low prevalence of IPVAW in Spain: law and policy, social awareness, and cultural patterns. Lessons learned and implications to improve future macrolevel intervention and prevention strategies are discussed.