Explaining aboriginal/non-aboriginal inequalities in postseparation violence against Canadian women: application of a structural violence approach

Violence Against Women. 2013 Aug;19(8):1034-58. doi: 10.1177/1077801213499245.

Abstract

Adopting a structural violence approach, we analyzed 2004 Canadian General Social Survey data to examine Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal inequalities in postseparation intimate partner violence (IPV) against women. Aboriginal women had 4.12 times higher odds of postseparation IPV than non-Aboriginal women (p < .001). Coercive control and age explained most of this inequality. The final model included Aboriginal status, age, a seven-item coercive control index, and stalking, which reduced the odds ratio for Aboriginal status to 1.92 (p = .085) and explained 70.5% of the Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal inequality in postseparation IPV. Research and action are needed that challenge structural violence, especially colonialism and its negative consequences.

Keywords: Aboriginal women; coercive control; intimate partner violence; postseparation; structural violence.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Coercion*
  • Colonialism*
  • Data Collection
  • Divorce*
  • Female
  • Feminism
  • Health Status Disparities*
  • Humans
  • Indians, North American*
  • Male
  • Odds Ratio
  • Rape / statistics & numerical data
  • Sexual Partners
  • Spouse Abuse / ethnology*
  • Spouse Abuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Stalking
  • Women
  • Women's Health*