Work

Exposure to collective gender-based violence causes intimate partner violence

Year: 2023

Type: article

Abstract: Globally, one in three women experience intimate partner violence (IPV) over their lifetimes. Yet, the factors that cause men to commit IPV remain poorly understood. We propose and test a causal long-term link from past exposure to gender-based collective violence to violent behavior against an intimate partner. Combining novel survey data from Angolan war veteran families and a natural experiment, we find that exposure to sexual violence by armed groups against women makes male veterans about 30 percentage points more likely to commit physical – but not sexual – violence against a female intimate partner 18 years later (on average). Our results are not consistent with standard explanations of IPV based on group norms and intra-household bargaining. Instead, we attribute the effect to a lasting reduction in self-control skills. These findings challenge standard approaches to preventing IPV and emphasize the potential of working with men, especially after war-time episodes of collective violence.

Source: Journal of Development Economics

DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2023.103054

Authors: Wolfgang Stojetz, Tilman Brück

Institutions: International Security and Development Center, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Leibniz Institute of Vegetable and Ornamental Crops

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Gender equality, Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,880