Sonia M. Frías

Strategies and Help-Seeking Behavior Among Mexican Women Experiencing Partner Violence:

According to a recent Mexican survey, 10.72% of women have at some point experienced sexual partner violence, and 23.71% physical violence at the hands of their current or last partner. Using this survey and a series of semi-structured interviews with experts, this study used a mixed-methods approach to examine, first, whether women who experienced violence turned to law enforcement agencies for help, and the characteristics of these women. Second, the research examined what type of service and treatment they reported receiving from these agencies. Finally, the research examined reasons women did not request help from police and law enforcement agencies.

Gendered experiences of sexual abuse of teenagers and children in Mexico

The prevalence of sexual abuse during childhood and adolescence in a national representative sample of Mexican youngsters is examined from a gender perspective using data from the 2007 National Survey on Exclusion, Intolerance and Violence in Public Institutions of High School Level Education. Of those surveyed, 1.76% were forced into their first experience of intercourse, and 6.43% had their genitalia touched or their first sexual interaction imposed against their will. In this sample, 6.82% had experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18. Child sexual abuse was most commonly perpetrated by family members and neighbors. Only 20% reported being abused by an unknown person. Males and females had different victimization experiences. Forty percent disclosed information about the abuse to another person, and 7% reported their experiences to law enforcement agencies. Males and females stated different reasons for not disclosing. These findings are discussed within the context of the social construction of the male and female body and sexuality in the Mexican context.

Beyond Borders Comparative Quantitative Research on Partner Violence in the United States and Mexico

We employ two surveys to identify similarities and differences in the risk of abuse among poor urban Mexican-origin women in the United States and Mexico. While the two surveys reveal basic structural similarity in the predictors of partner violence, the rate of violence among Mexican women is far lower than among either foreign-born or native-born Mexican origin women in the United States. While these differences may reflect reality, we argue that survey data must be interpreted cautiously and with an understanding of the cultural, economic, and political context in which the information is collected as well as methodological differences between the surveys.

Ethnic heterogamy and the risk of partner violence in Mexico.

Abstract A common stereotype holds that in Mexico male violence toward women is common among indigenous peoples and reflects cultural norms that sanction a males domination of his female partner. We employ a recent Mexican survey to examine the relative risk of violence against women as a function of the couples ethnic homogamy. Among couples in which both partners are either non-indigenous or indigenous the females risk of partner violence is similar. Among heterogamous couples non-indigenous females in relationships in which the male is indigenous are at elevated risk of violence, while indigenous women in relationships with non-indigenous males are at a lower risk of violence. The stresses associated with heterogamy appear to be more salient in determining a womans risk of violence than ethnicity per se. The implications for future research and the need to deal with the issue of ethnic homogamy in culturally heterogeneous populations are discussed.

Homicide of children and adolescents in Mexico (1990–2013)

ABSTRACT The trends and correlates of child and juvenile homicide rates in three developmental age groups (0-5, 6-11, and 12-17) during 1990–2013 in Mexico are examined by using vital statistical data. Homicide rates for adults and children were calculated yearly and the place where homicides occurred and the means used to commit homicide examined. Changes and continuities in homicide rates during 2002–2007 and 2008–2013 and their association with socio-economic, status of women, public security efforts, and firearm availability variables were studied. Homicide rates increased rapidly for adults and children in 2008 as did the rates in which a firearm was used. Rates for adults and children 0–5 years were particularly correlated. In some states, the youngest children’s rates increased by 75% or more than the rates for adults. High-increase states for younger children were closer to the U.S. border, were farther from abortion services, and had growing rates of female-headed households.

Victimizations of Mexican youth (12–17 years old): A 2014 national survey

Victimization of Mexican youth (aged 12-17) has received little attention compared to that of adults. Using the 2014 Social Survey on Social Cohesion for the Prevention of Violence and Delinquency, we examine prevalence and types of victimization; describe the characteristics of incidents in terms of relationship with perpetrator(s) and places where took place; and study significant correlates of forms of victimization and poly-victimization. During 2014 alone, more than 2.8 million minors were victims of bullying, cyberbullying, theft, sexual abuse, physical assault, threats, robbery, or extortion. About 10% of these were poly-victims-experienced at least four different types of victimization by at least four types of perpetrators. Youth tended to be victimized by people in their inner circle. The factors associated with victimization tended to vary by victimization type, but proximity to crime and peer delinquency increased the risk of experiencing all types of victimization. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.

Ámbitos y formas de violencia contra mujeres y niñas: Evidencias a partir de las encuestas

Este articulo documenta algunas de las multiples expresiones de violencia en contra de mujeres y ninas en Mexico. La falta de analisis con muestras representativas sobre las distintas formas de violencia en contra de ellas dificulta la visibilidad de la problematica y asimismo dificulta que se incorpore el derecho de las mujeres a vivir una vida libre de violencia. Utilizando varias encuestas recientes, se presentan datos sobre la prevalencia de violencia contra ninas y adolescentes en la familia (tanto en la etapa de la infancia, como en la de la adolescencia y la edad adulta): matrimonios forzados, compra-venta de mujeres, violencia perpetrada por familiares; en el ambito laboral y educativo: acoso y hostigamiento sexual y acoso escolar; y en el ambito institucional para las mujeres que acuden a instituciones publicas a buscar ayuda por violencia de pareja o violacion. Si bien el sistema socialmente construido de desigualdad de genero sustenta cada una de estas formas de violencia, en algunas de estas expresiones de violencia convergen otros sistemas de estratificacion como el etnico/racial y el de clase.

Violación e intento de violación de mujeres, patrones de búsqueda de ayuda y denuncia. Un análisis a partir de la ENDIREH 2016

espanolSe examina la violacion y/o intento de violacion de mujeres por parte de una persona distinta a una pareja romantica en tres momentos de la vida: antes de los 15 anos, en el ultimo ano y a lo largo de la vida a partir de la ENDIREH 2016. Antes de los 15 anos, 5.1 por ciento de las mujeres mexicanas han sido violadas o han intentado violarlas. A 7.7 por ciento le ha ocurrido alguna vez en la vida. Las mujeres que hablan una lengua indigena, pobres, urbanas y con baja escolaridad son las mas afectadas. En el ultimo ano, solo dos de cada diez mujeres objeto de violacion y/o intento de violacion busco ayuda, y solo 8.4% de las agresiones sexuales fue objeto de denuncia o queja, no todas ellas ante el Ministerio Publico. Se examinan los motivos por los que las mujeres no acuden a buscar ayuda ni interponen denuncia o queja y se discuten las implicaciones de politica publica. EnglishRape and attempted rape of women during childhood and adolescence (before 15 years old), last year and lifetime by a non-intimate partner are examined by using data from the 2016 National Survey on Household Relationship Dynamics. Before the age of 15 years old, 5.1 per cent of women have experienced rape and/or attempted rape. 7.7 per cent of Mexican women have ever experienced one of them. Women who speak an indigenous language, unprivileged, residing in urban setting and with lower schooling are at a higher risk. During the last 12 months, only two out of every ten women who experienced rape or attempted rape sought help, and less than one out of ten events of rape or attempted rape were reported to law-enforcement agencies. The reasons why women do not seek help and press charges are examined. Public policy implications are discussed.