Poster #40

Ethnic Differences in Secondary Victimization Levels Among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

By: Olivia Backley, B.A. Co-authored by Taryn Thrasher, B.A., Diana Than, and Courtney Ahrens, Ph.D.

Abstract:

Secondary victimization, or victim-blaming attitudes, behaviors, and acts by law enforcement, is often reported in cases involving IPV and can result in additional distress and/or trauma for survivors (Campbell & Raja, 2005; Ahrens, 2006). Although research examining ethnic differences in secondary victimization is scarce, a few existing studies suggest that women of color experience secondary victimization at higher rates (Decker et al., 2019; Shaw, Campbell, & Cain, 2016; O’Neil et al., 2016; Lipsky et al., 2012). The current study aimed to contribute to new research examining ethnic differences in secondary victimization among a sample of ethnicities including Korean, Vietnamese, Mexican, and White survivors (N = 193). It was hypothesized that women of color will experience higher levels of secondary victimization than white women. Participants were asked to complete a survey with questions regarding negative police behaviors following IPV. Campbell et al. (1999)’s Legal Secondary Victimization Scale was used to measure survivors’ experiences of secondary victimization which included items addressing negative police behaviors such as blame, not being taken seriously, and lack of support. A one-way between-subjects ANOVA was conducted to compare the effect of ethnicity on secondary victimization. Results showed a significant effect of ethnicity on secondary victimization levels, F(3, 63) = 4.54, p = .01. Pairwise comparisons revealed that Mexican survivors (M = 4.30, SD = 2.49) experienced higher levels of secondary victimization than Vietnamese survivors (M = .63, SD = .74) and White survivors (M = 2.58, SD = 2.62). These findings suggest that women of color experience higher levels of secondary victimization. Further police training on how to avoid secondary victimization is thus a social justice and equity issue that should be addressed.

Olivia backley

Olivia H. Backley is a student pursuing a master’s degree in Psychological Research at California State University Long Beach. Previously, she has worked as a research assistant to a clinical and forensic neuropsychologist and interned for a school psychologist, private therapy practice, and program coordinator at a children’s courthouse. Her research areas of interest include sexual assault, violence and aggression, and social justice.