Narratives of (In)Security: The relationship between fear of crime and intimate partner violence against women in Brazil and Portugal

• In Event: Trauma, Justice, and Recovery in Domestic and sexual Violence Contexts

Abstract

This research investigates the overlooked relationship between women’s fear of crime and intimate partner violence (IPV) in Brazil and Portugal. Using a mixed-method approach, the study was conducted in two sequential phases. The first phase employed qualitative methods, gathering data through semi-structured interviews with women who experienced IPV. The second phase applied a quantitative approach to analyze broader patterns within the same group (women victims of IPV). This presentation focuses on the findings from the qualitative phase, highlighting women’s lived experiences and the interplay between IPV and fear. A critical content analysis was conducted and five key dimensions were identified: (1) Manifestations of IPV and victimization experiences – Examining how IPV manifests throughout women's lives and how victimization evolves over time; (2) Fear of crime and its role in intimate relationships – Understanding how the fear of crime interacts with IPV and the ways in which it influences victims’ perceptions of safety; (3) Consequences of IPV and fear of crime – Exploring the psychological, social, and economic impacts of IPV and fear on victims' daily lives; (4) Support networks and interactions with the justice system – Analyzing the role of formal (legal and institutional) and informal (family and community) support structures in mitigating IPV and fear; and (5) The process of ‘being reborn’ – Investigating resilience strategies, recovery processes, and how women reconstruct their lives after IPV. The results reinforce the complex interplay between fear and IPV victimization in women's lives, shedding light on this underexplored area within Criminology.

Authors

• Camila Iglesias, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research on Justice (CIJ); Faculty of Law of the University of Porto (FDUP)

• Carla Sofia Cardoso, Interdisciplinary Research Centre on Crime Justice and Security (CJS) - School of Criminology, Faculty of Law of the University of Porto

• Pedro Sousa, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Justice (CIJ/FDUP); School of Criminology, Faculty of Law, University of Porto