Call for Papers

The Many Faces of Domestic Violence – Deepening the Dialogue

Theme:  Causes and Consequences

Chapter Title: Causes and Consequences of Interpersonal Violence: The Case of the Caribbean.

By: Kerry A. Lee, MSW, Dr. Kevin Hylton, & Dr. Sharon R. Priestley

Domestic violence (DV) is a global social and public health problem of epidemic proportion. However, this area of research has received limited attention in the Caribbean in comparison to the Western world, primarily due to the social and cultural normalization and acceptance of violence. As such, there is a gap in knowledge regarding the causes and consequences of interpersonal violence (IPV; i.e., family violence and intimate partner violence) within the Caribbean, despite a plethora of literature in other parts of the world. The proposed chapter will explore both historical and contemporary factors that have fostered the social and cultural acceptance of IPV. Although many individual (e.g., SES, anger and hostility etc.), relationship (e.g., marital conflicts, parental education etc.), community (e.g., poverty, high alcohol outlet density etc.), and societal risk factors (e.g., SES, mental illness etc.) have been identified as having caused or contributed to IPV globally, this chapter will focus on the role of (1) adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), (2) alcohol use, and (3) gender roles and normalization of violence, as causes within the context of the Caribbean. The Chapter will also explore the negative psychological and social consequences of IPV for perpetrators, victims, and Caribbean countries as a whole. While IPV is steeped in the culture of the Caribbean, there are many initiatives that can be enacted at the individual, family, and community levels to aid in its prevention and reduction. [232 Words]

Author’s Bio

Kerry A. Lee holds a Master of Social Work (MSW) from the University of the West Indies, Mona campus, and is a PhD candidate at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of social work. Her research focuses on gender related issues, violence and social determinants of health, child and adolescent mental health services, child maltreatment prevention, and race and ethnic minority in child welfare. Kerry Lee may be reached at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, School of social work, 525W Redwood Street, Baltimore MD 21201. Email: klee@ssw.umaryland.edu. Phone: 1-305-497-6445.

Kevin Hylton holds a Ph.D. in Sociology from Howard University with a concentration in Medical Sociology, Demography/Urban Sociology, and Race and Ethnicity. He works as a Social and Behavioral Scientist to the U.S. Federal, State and local government, universities, and non-profit organizations; as an adjunct faculty in the University of Maryland System where he teaches in four different departments (Sociology, Psychology, Behavioral Health, and Social Work) across three institutions; and as the Vice President of research and Evaluation at WhitwortheKee Consulting. His subject matter expertise includes HIV/AIDS, substance abuse treatment and prevention, diversity, equity and inclusion, psychosocial determinants of health, and educational disparities. Dr. Hylton may be reached at 3804 Baskerville Drive, Bowie, MD 20721. Email: Khylton@whitworthKee.com. Phone: 1-240-351-3488.

Sharon Priestley is a lecturer in Demography and Statistics on the Mona Campus. She holds a PhD in Sociology with specialization in the field of Demography. Her research interests include intimate partner violence and extend to sexual risk taking, fertility and infertility, and adoption. Dr. Priestley may be reached at Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica West Indies. Email: sharon.priestley@uwimona.edu.jm. Phone: 876-977-6267 or 876-977-0315, Fax: 876-977-9301.