TY - JOUR
T1 - Trapped in an Abusive Relationship with an Organized Crime Offender
T2 - the Importance of Mental Health Support
AU - Hoeboer, Chris M.
AU - Bakker, Anne
AU - Wijn, Remco
AU - Kallen, Victor
AU - Olff, Miranda
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © The Author(s) 2024.
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - This study aims to get more insight into experiences in the process towards mental recovery and the feasibility of providing mental health support to victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) committed by organized crime offenders in The Netherlands. 150 female victims were identified and, when reached, offered the option for safe and anonymous mental health support for their trauma-related symptoms. We used a mixed-method design involving information from police files (n = 150), patient files (n = 7), focus groups with therapists involved in the mental health support program (n = 4) and in-depth interviews with patients themselves (n = 4). Results showed that participants in the interviews experienced many mental health complaints, but limited access to mental health support. They were trapped in a relationship characterized by violence, psychological warfare and a forced dependency. All interviewed participants were isolated from social support and society in general. Escaping the criminal partner was extremely difficult and even when the participant successfully regained some form of independency, true separation appeared to be almost impossible. The participants felt little support from governmental and non-governmental aid organisations in this process. The mental health support in the current project proved challenging but feasible. Findings suggest that victims of IPV committed by organized crime offenders urgently need professional help. Actions to ensure their safety and to overcome barriers that hamper access to aid organizations are required.
AB - This study aims to get more insight into experiences in the process towards mental recovery and the feasibility of providing mental health support to victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) committed by organized crime offenders in The Netherlands. 150 female victims were identified and, when reached, offered the option for safe and anonymous mental health support for their trauma-related symptoms. We used a mixed-method design involving information from police files (n = 150), patient files (n = 7), focus groups with therapists involved in the mental health support program (n = 4) and in-depth interviews with patients themselves (n = 4). Results showed that participants in the interviews experienced many mental health complaints, but limited access to mental health support. They were trapped in a relationship characterized by violence, psychological warfare and a forced dependency. All interviewed participants were isolated from social support and society in general. Escaping the criminal partner was extremely difficult and even when the participant successfully regained some form of independency, true separation appeared to be almost impossible. The participants felt little support from governmental and non-governmental aid organisations in this process. The mental health support in the current project proved challenging but feasible. Findings suggest that victims of IPV committed by organized crime offenders urgently need professional help. Actions to ensure their safety and to overcome barriers that hamper access to aid organizations are required.
KW - Intimate partner violence
KW - Mental health support
KW - Mental recovery
KW - Organized crime
KW - Organized crime offenders
KW - Qualitative research
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85187181781&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10610-024-09575-z
DO - 10.1007/s10610-024-09575-z
M3 - Article
SN - 0928-1371
JO - European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research
JF - European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research
ER -