Work

Why Bystanders Report Intimate Partner Violence Anonymously: A Qualitative Analysis of Real-Life Cases

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Although bystanders can play an important role in combating intimate partner violence (IPV), they also experience unique barriers and challenges that may prevent them from involvement. While anonymous reporting could potentially address some of these barriers, this form of intervention has rarely been studied. Using a thematic analysis of case files ( N = 34 reports), this study investigates bystanders’ reasons to report suspicions of IPV anonymously to a domestic violence hotline. Results indicate that anonymity allowed bystanders to balance the desire to protect the victim(s) from harm with the fear of potential consequences for themselves and/or their relationship with the victim(s).

Source: Feminist Criminology

DOI: 10.1177/15570851241300152

Author: Carlijn van Baak

Institutions: Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, University of Amsterdam

Language: English

Topic: Intimate Partner and Family Violence

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Peace, justice, and strong institutions, Gender equality

Open Access status: green

Funders: ZonMw, Sociale en Geesteswetenschappen, NWO