Intimate partner violence victimization and perpetuation among female adolescents and adults in Timor-Leste

Abstract

The aim of this investigation is to estimate the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization and perpetration among adolescents and adults in Timor-Leste. In the nationally representative cross-sectional 2016 Timor-Leste Demographic and Health Survey, a sample of ever married women (15-49 years) (N=3694) were interviewed about IPV. Results indicate that the past 12-month prevalence of physical and/or sexual IPV victimization was 38.1%, and physical IPV perpetration was 3.1%. In adjusted multivariable logistic regression analyses, low wealth status, lower education of the partner or husband, drunkenness of the partner or husband, marital control behaviours, endorsing wife beating justification, and parental IPV was associated with physical and/or sexual IPV victimization in the past 12 months. Marital control behaviours by the husband and urban residence was associated with physical IPV perpetration in the past 12 months. IPV is high and multi-sectorial prevention programmes are urgently needed.

Keywords: psychological partner violence, physical partner violence, sexual partner violence, partner violence perpetration, women, Timor-Leste