Prevalence of domestic violence against women and its risk factors in Gunma, Japan

Abstract

This study investigated the demographic characteristics of and factors related to men's violence against women in intimate relationships with the goal of learning how women can better cope with domestic violence. Of the adult residents of Gunma Prefecture, 888 (491 women and 397 men) were surveyed regarding domestic violence. Findings were as follows. 1) 30.1% reported experiencing abuse at least once in the 12 months preceding the survey. Emotional abuse was reported by 29.6% of female respondents, physical abuse by 5.4% and sexual abuse by 6.2%. These rates are approximately the same as the proportion of men who reported abusing women. 2) Physical and/or sexual abuse is frequently accompanied by emotional abuse. 3) Men reporting tolerant attitudes towards violence tended to abuse women more ; those, regardless of sex, with a history of exposure to an environment of family abuse as children were more likely to suffer abuse as adults. 4) Half of the abused women had sought help by consulting others. Few of these women consulted organizations or public institutions ; instead, most women seeking help merely discussed their situation with family members, friends or colleagues. More counseling centers, shelters, and other forms of social support are required, and individual women should have better access to information on this topic. Moreover, it is essential that the public at large better understands the issue of domestic violence against women.