Intimate partner violence against deaf female college students

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Sociology
• Gender Studies

Background:

• Intimate partner violence (IPV) affects a significant portion of the population, with estimates suggesting around 25% of Deaf women in the US experience it.
• Prevalence rates for IPV in the general population range from 16% to 30% annually.
• Existing research indicates a potential disparity in IPV experiences among Deaf women compared to the general population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence victimization among Deaf female college students.
• To compare the rates of physical assault, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion in Deaf women to those of hearing female undergraduates.

Main Methods:

• A sample of Deaf female college students was surveyed to assess their experiences with intimate partner violence.
• Victimization rates were compared between the sample of Deaf women and a control group of hearing female undergraduates.

Main Results:

• Deaf female college students reported intimate partner violence victimization at approximately double the rate of hearing female undergraduates.
• The study found higher prevalence of physical assault, psychological aggression, and sexual coercion among the Deaf sample.

Conclusions:

• Deaf female college students face a disproportionately high risk of intimate partner violence.
• Findings underscore the critical need for accessible and tailored support services for Deaf women experiencing abuse.
• Further research is warranted to understand the unique factors contributing to IPV in this population.