Sá-Sousa B.1, Oliveira M. S. 1,2,3, Serra A. 1,4, Peixoto C. S. 2
| 1 University Institute of Health Sciences, Portugal 2 Porto Higher Institute of Social Work, Portugal 3 University of Minho, Portugal 4 University of Porto, Portugal |
Abstract
Background and Aim of Study: Domestic violence constitutes a serious public health problem, manifesting itself through various forms of abuse, namely physical, psychological, sexual, and economic, affecting people of any age or gender.
The aim of the study: to characterize violence in intimate relationships in a municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area based on the sociodemographic profile of victims assisted by a specialized service, as well as on the characteristics of the violence, the perpetrators, and the criminal proceedings.
Material and Methods: This quantitative, descriptive, and retrospective study based on the procedural analysis of 206 cases assisted by the Integrated Victim Support Service (SAIV) in a municipality in the Porto Metropolitan Area between 2022 and 2025. Sociodemographic variables, characteristics of the violence, and data regarding perpetrators and criminal proceedings were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software (version 27).
Results: The results showed that most victims are female (93.7%), with a mean age of 45.3 years. Violence in intimate relationships is predominantly ongoing (99.5%), with multiple forms of violence being predominant (78.2%), particularly physical and psychological violence. A high prevalence of psychological symptoms was also observed, namely anxiety (25.7%), depression (20.4%), and sleep disorders (15.5%). Perpetrators are predominantly male (93.2%), with an average age of 47.05 years, and a notable prevalence of illicit substance use (64.6%).
Conclusions: The data obtained highlight the complexity and multidimensionality of violence in intimate relationships, as well as its significant impact on the mental health of victims, reinforcing the need for integrated and locally adapted responses.
Keywords
perpetrator, domestic violence, municipality, cases, victim.
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Sá-Sousa Beatriz (Corresponding Author) – https://orcid.org/0009-0001-8156-0725;
Oliveira Madalena Sofia – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1764-1475; Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Assistant Professor, University Institute of Health Sciences – CESPU, Gandra; Porto Higher Institute of Social Work, Matosinhos; JusGov – Center for Research on Justice and Governance, School of Law, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
Serra Alexandra – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0482-6179; Doctor of Psychological Sciences, Assistant Professor, University Institute of Health Sciences – CESPU, Gandra; SINCLab – Social Inclusion Laboratory, University of Porto, Portugal.
Peixoto Carlos Silva – https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8755-5265; Visiting Lecturer Professor, Porto Higher Institute of Social Work, Matosinhos; National Commission for the Promotion of the Rights and Protection of Children and Youth, Porto, Portugal.
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APA
Sá-Sousa, B., Oliveira, M. S., Serra, A., & Peixoto, C. S. (2026). Impact and prevalence of domestic violence: evidence from a victim support service within a higher education institution ecosystem. International Journal of Science Annals, 9(1), 01–07. https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2026.1.6
Harvard
Sá-Sousa, B., Oliveira, M. S., Serra, A., & Peixoto, C. S. "Impact and prevalence of domestic violence: evidence from a victim support service within a higher education institution ecosystem" International Journal of Science Annals, [online] 9(1), pp. 01–07. viewed 30 June 2026, https://culturehealth.org/ijsa_archive/ijsa.2026.1.6.pdfVancouver
Sá-Sousa B., Oliveira M. S., Serra A., & Peixoto C. S. Impact and prevalence of domestic violence: evidence from a victim support service within a higher education institution ecosystem. International Journal of Science Annals [Internet]. 2026 [cited 30 June 2026]; 9(1): 01–07. Available from: https://culturehealth.org/ijsa_archive/ijsa.2026.1.6.pdf https://doi.org/10.26697/ijsa.2026.1.6
