{"title":"\"We Live Day by Day Now:\" A Qualitative Analysis of Minor-Focused Sextortion Victim-Survivor Impact Statements.","authors":"Roberta Liggett O'Malley, Karen Holt","doi":"10.1891/VV-2025-0058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1891/VV-2025-0058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sextortion is a form of image-based sexual abuse in which an offender threatens to distribute a victim's intimate, sexual images, videos, or information unless the victim complies with the offender's demands. Sextortion crimes in which minors are targeted by adult strangers online continue to be a priority area for law enforcement. Despite growing awareness, there is a dearth of studies that investigate the psychological and emotional impact this specific form of sextortion has on youth victim-survivors and their parents, who are secondary victims of this crime. The current study utilized a sample of 29 victim impact statements from 9 federal court cases in which minor children were sextorted by stranger adults online to explore, in their own words, the reported psychosocial impacts on victim-survivors and their parents. Findings reveal shared themes across both groups, including trauma associated with disclosure, experiences of loss, personal transformation, and the challenges of moving forward after sextortion victimization.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147533584","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Mass Shootings in Public Places: Continuities and Complexities.","authors":"Kathryn Farr","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0170","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0170","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study examined 71 mass shootings carried out by a single individual who opened fire on random victims in a public setting. Findings indicate that the (all-male) shooters commonly showed signs of anger, isolation, and marginalization. Many were motivated by a perceived grievance. However, among the sizeable group of young White men, extremist, hate-based ideologies often served as motivations. While very few of the shooters had been formally diagnosed, a number had shown signs of mental illness or suicidal tendencies, and close to 30% committed suicide following their attacks. The shooters typically carried out their attacks with semi-automatic guns and high-capacity magazines. Suggested preventative actions included attention to warning signs and gun control measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"26-48"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145193401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Screening for Intimate Partner Violence in College Health Settings: A Brief Review of the Literature and Recommendations for Research and Practice.","authors":"Shelleta Ladonice, Julie M Olomi, Bethany Backes, Eduarda Santana Santos, Amy Reckdenwald","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0117","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0117","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This brief review proposes a set of empirically based recommendations for the development and implementation of screening measures for intimate partner violence (IPV) and sexual assault (SA) in campus health settings. We synthesize the current literature on IPV/SA screening practices on college campuses. Given the limited research available on this topic, we also draw on work related to IPV screeners in general health care settings and campus climate surveys. There is limited research on IPV/SA screening practices for college campuses. Findings indicate that IPV/SA screening practices are rare and inconsistent in student health care settings. In addition, there are methodological limitations regarding the utility of general population screeners in college health settings. Recommendations for IPV college screeners are provided and address administration, content, and organizational structure.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"151-162"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144162737","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"When Love Hurts: The Path From Psychological Maltreatment to Disordered Eating via Negative Cognitive Coping in Emerging Adult Women.","authors":"Erin Hillard, Melanie D Hetzel-Riggin","doi":"10.1891/VV-2023-0076","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2023-0076","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Psychological maltreatment is a prevalent form of interpersonal abuse in romantic relationships, with many victims reporting their first experience before the age of 25 years. Such maltreatment correlates with a number of negative mental health problems, including the development of negative body esteem and disordered eating. This study examined links between psychological maltreatment, body image, and disordered eating and assessed negative cognitive coping strategies (e.g., self-blame and detachment) as mediators of this relationship. Participants were 226 undergraduate women at a midwestern U.S. university who completed measures of psychological maltreatment, coping styles, and various body image and disordered eating inventories. We found that psychological maltreatment was associated with decreases in body esteem and increases in disordered eating behavior. Additionally, for disordered eating and overweight preoccupation, negative cognitive coping mediated these effects. Findings highlight the benefits of therapeutic strategies emphasizing the importance of healthy cognitive coping and social support, especially for the prevention of body image disturbance and disordered eating in victims of psychological maltreatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"127-150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145726684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Celina Morales, Christopher J Rogers, Claudia M Toledo-Corral, Eunice M Areba, Myriam Forster
{"title":"Does Social Support Affect the Relationship Between Perceived Discrimination and Bullying Victimization Among First- and Second-Generation Immigrant Youth?","authors":"Celina Morales, Christopher J Rogers, Claudia M Toledo-Corral, Eunice M Areba, Myriam Forster","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0119","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Adolescents who have high subjective experiences of perceived discrimination (PD) face an elevated risk of being bullied, both of which have been linked to adverse psychosocial outcomes. This study (a) assesses the association between PD and bullying victimization and (b) explores whether teacher support and family functioning moderate the hypothesized PD and bullying victimization relationship. Data are from Hispanic and Somali youth (<i>N</i> = 311, mean age = 15.9 years, standard deviation = 1.5) living in a midwestern city. About 75% of the sample reported some level of PD, and 33% reported bullying victimization. PD was associated with elevated incidence rate ratios of bullying victimization. Teacher support and family functioning were inversely associated with bullying victimization but did not moderate the relationship. These findings highlight the complex nature of social support in the PD and bullying victimization relationship.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"49-66"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143992476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Grace Clayton, Calli Tzani, Maria Ioannou, Thomas James Vaughan Williams, Rebecca Gunn, Rachel Fletcher
{"title":"The Escalation of Stalking Into Homicide: A Thematic Analysis of Offender Behaviors, Policing Failures, and the Requirement for a Stalker's Register and Risk Assessment Tool.","authors":"Grace Clayton, Calli Tzani, Maria Ioannou, Thomas James Vaughan Williams, Rebecca Gunn, Rachel Fletcher","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0161","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0161","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>With stalking and an escalation of such concerning behaviors being highly present in cases of homicide, the current study uses thematic analysis to locate common and uncommon victim demographics, behavioral risk factors, and issues in policing. Gathered from public media sources, 32 cases of stalking that resulted in murder or attempted murder of the victim were examined regardless of jurisdiction or background factors. Females, aged 25 years and below, were most at risk of stalking-homicide conducted by a male perpetrator with whom they held a previous intimate relationship. Common themes within the demographics and behavioral risk factors were developed into a proposed risk factor checklist, while the issues in policing highlighted space for development in the investigation of stalking victims and stalking-homicide cases.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"88-105"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144498439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Addressing Service Gaps for Underserved Populations of Gender-Based Violence: Insights From a Midwestern State Needs Assessment Survey.","authors":"Ziwei Qi, Annalise Loucks, Suzanna Schneider","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0040","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0040","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Understanding the prevalence and service needs of underserved populations affected by gender-based violence (GBV) is significant, given that their experiences are often underreported, and existing services frequently fall short of addressing their needs effectively. In this study, \"underserved populations\" is an overarching term referring to groups historically marginalized, underrepresented, and inadequately supported as victims of GBV. The types of services examined in the study include both direct forms, such as shelter and advocacy, and indirect approaches, including systemic interventions and policy reform and advocacy. The study involved 41 survey responses, including advocates, victim shelter staff, case managers for domestic violence victims, law enforcement, and legal professionals in a Midwestern state. The findings have shown significant service disparities, especially in rural areas, due to insufficient funding and support infrastructure. These disparities are exacerbated by factors such as isolated locations, conservative political climates, LGBTQIA+-hostile legislation, and victim-blaming attitudes. To effectively address these service disparities, it is important to improve the accessibility of services in rural areas to ensure victims in a service desert can access the support they need. Furthermore, advocating for comprehensive statewide policies is necessary to create a supportive environment for survivors.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"3-25"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144033432","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lynn Langton, Nicholas Thomas, Jaclyn Houston-Kolnik, Peyton Attaway, Jenna Dole
{"title":"Geographic Disparities in Who Receives Victim Services.","authors":"Lynn Langton, Nicholas Thomas, Jaclyn Houston-Kolnik, Peyton Attaway, Jenna Dole","doi":"10.1891/VV-2023-0139","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2023-0139","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study uses data from the National Crime Victimization Survey to examine geographic variations in the receipt of victim services for victims of violence. Research has long demonstrated that there are differences in victimization risk and who is victimized across different regions and by urbanicity. Examination of these differences when it comes to victim services has not been previously examined on a national level. Findings show that geography does matter in the likelihood of receiving services, especially for victims of serious violence, and even after controlling for other factors related to the use of victim services. The implications of the findings, possible explanations for the geographic differences, limitations of the study, and opportunities for future research are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"67-87"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609984","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Correlates of Survivors' Satisfaction With Informal Support Relationships Following Sexual Assault Disclosure.","authors":"Casey Harris, Sarah E Ullman","doi":"10.1891/VV-2024-0187","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2024-0187","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Sexual assault (SA) is a prevalent issue that can impact survivors' relationships. Most research has examined the effects of SA on couples, with much less research examining effects on relationships with friends and family. The current study examined correlates of survivors' relationship satisfaction using dyadic survey data (<i>N</i> = 432 matched pairs) from survivors regarding an informal support provider (SP) they told about their most upsetting SA. Several sets of variables were examined including demographic, preassault, relationship, and postassault factors. A composite regression model showed that several variables were significantly related to higher levels of relationship satisfaction with the informal SP told about assault, including the following: identifying as Hispanic or Latina/x ethnicity, having a higher level of education, greater relationship importance, experiencing more positive social support upon disclosure, and being more satisfied with social support from SP. Implications for clinicians and prevention educators are drawn to improve survivor and informal SP well-being following SA.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"106-126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12313194/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144609983","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Impact of Domestic Violence on the Mental Health of Women and the Response Thereof: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Tanveer Ahmad Zoie, Ganesh Digal","doi":"10.1891/VV-2023-0160","DOIUrl":"10.1891/VV-2023-0160","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Domestic violence is a devastatingly pervasive global issue. It endangers women's rights to live a decent life and affects women physically, psychologically, sexually, and economically. The present article is an attempt to systematically study the mental health issues (like anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder) among women victims of domestic violence. Domestic violence is a phenomenon of high prevalence among women, and its impact on their mental health needs further research. This systematic review identifies 35 studies through a search of the research databases on the impact of domestic violence on the mental health of women. Studies showed greater evidence that women victims of domestic violence have developed mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The type of exposure and the victim's time frame or exposure period determine how serious the violence is. The victim's reaction to domestic abuse and its mitigating effect will also be taken into consideration.</p>","PeriodicalId":48139,"journal":{"name":"Violence and Victims","volume":" ","pages":"163-188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2026-03-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144133218","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}