Predisposing factors for relationship violence

• In Event: Variants of Domestic abuse

Abstract

The author presents factors that contribute to domestic violence victimisation. He pays particular attention to deviance and social dysfunction in the victims' families of origin. He also highlights addiction and other mental health problems among perpetrators. The author introduces some empirical social science research findings to support his argument:
1) First, the results of a qualitative, semi-structured interview-based study conducted in 2019 and 2024 with a total of 100 victims are presented.
2) In addition, data from a representative questionnaire survey of the Hungarian population conducted in 2015 (n=1007) and 2022 (n=1130) using the same methodology and questionnaire are processed.
3) The main findings of the expert interviews conducted within the IMPROVE research programme are also presented.

The researcher emphasises that the number of victims and thus the number of crimes related to domestic violence can be reduced by increasing prevention efforts. Effective prevention requires adequate training of professionals, including knowledge of predisposing factors, types of relationship violence and their psychological characteristics. Prevention can also be supported by strengthening the community orientation of the police and by increasing cooperation between the police and other subsystems (especially the social welfare system).

Author

• Gabor Hera, 1. Foresee Research Group 2. HUN-REN CERS Institute for Regional Studies