Browsing by Author "Sutton, Amber"

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    Bringing Our Sisters Out of the Shadows: Unmasking the Fatal Link Between COVID-19, Intimate Partner Violence, and Intimate Femicide for Women in Alabama
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2022) Sutton, Amber; Nelson-Gardell, Debra; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    In March of 2020, lockdown orders were put in place throughout the United States to protect against the spread of the Coronavirus. Inadvertently, these precautions intensified the dangers women faced within their own homes. Academic literature and media reports soon surfaced revealing an increased incidence of domestic violence-related homicides due to stress and other risk factors related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Along with existing barriers, COVID-19 introduced new and exacerbating factors for women experiencing violence and for those attempting to provide services.Paper one is a topical review summarizing studies published on the intersection of intimate partner violence and femicide against women in the United States during the initial stages of COVID-19 from the year 2020 to 2021. Findings reveal an increase in help-seeking calls during the initial phase of the pandemic and COVID-related circumstances such as an increase in firearm purchases, extended confinement, unemployment, school closures, social isolation, and financial strains intensifying women's experiences of violence. Data also revealed that institutionally oppressed groups are disproportionately impacted by the nexus of COVID-19 and IPV. Papers two and three focus specifically on women in Alabama. Paper two presents a media analysis of 29 IPV and IF articles published by five online newspapers from March 2020 to March 2021. Results reveal that IPV and IF cases were portrayed as isolated incidents, minimizing language was used, and community resources need to be included in the articles. Paper three reports findings from 10 semi-structured interviews with community-based advocates (CBA) to learn about the contributing factors of IPV and IF that they observed during COVID-19. Results show CBAs observed that confinement, isolation, and economic instability exacerbated certain types of violence and that Black women, Immigrant women, and women in rural areas faced heightened barriers. Additionally, results indicate that CBAs need continued support, and that comfort resides in the collective. This research makes a significant contribution to the literature by addressing risk factors associated with COVID-19, IPV, and IF, examining the effects on women and advocates, and discussing strategies for social and political change.
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    Give Me Proof: A Covert but Coercive Form of Non-partner Sexual Violence Contributing to Teen Pregnancy in Haiti and Opportunities for Biopsychosocial Intervention
    (Routledge, 2020) Rahill, Guitele J.; Joshi, Manisha; Zlotnick, Caron; Lamour, Sabine; Beech, Haley; Sutton, Amber; Burris, Cameron; Paul, Phycien; State University System of Florida; University of South Florida; Brown University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Adolescent girls in low-resource settings account for over 7.3 million births annually (generally unplanned). Unplanned teen pregnancies are increasing in low-resource settings. As part of a funded Round 20 Grand Challenges Exploration project (Healthy Minds for Adolescent Mothers), we investigated unplanned teen pregnancies in Haiti's Cite Soleil shantytown, teens' biopsychosocial challenges, and desirable interventions. Key stakeholders (N = 23): pregnant teens (13-17-year-olds, n = 8; 18-19-year-olds, n = 8) and health providers (18 or older, n = 7), participated by age group and role in focus groups (FGs). ATLAS.ti facilitated the analysis of transcribed FG audio recordings. Ninety-four percent (n = 15) of teens reported "Banm prev," translated "Give me proof," as a cause of their unplanned pregnancies. Banm prev describes when teens are propositioned by men who demand proof of their unpretentiousness or virginity. A subtle, covert, locally unchallenged phenomenon that is supported by damaging gender norms, Banm prev constitutes an illusionary choice between teens' yielding non-consensual control of their bodies and the tacit alternative of gang rape. Banm prev underscores teens' difficulty discerning consensual from coerced sex. Associated unplanned pregnancies occasion guilt, shame, stigma, depression, anxiety, and trauma in teens. Cite Soleil teens need contextually relevant, community-supported, age-appropriate interventions that challenge existing norms, build on cultural strengths, and include comprehensive sexuality education, including knowledge of reproductive rights. A traditional, contextually familiar, engaging, and humorous story-telling tradition, i.e., krik-krak, packaged in video format, is a useful framework for interventions to reduce depressive symptoms, stress, and anxiety for Cite Soleil teens experiencing unplanned pregnancies.
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    The impact of stay-at-home orders on safety and stability for women: A topical review of intimate partner violence and intimate femicide in the United States during the initial phase of COVID-19
    (Springer, 2023) Sutton, Amber; Beech, Haley; Auburn University; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    PurposeWe intend to identify the links between COVID-19, intimate partner violence (IPV), and intimate femicide (IF) for women in the United States by answering the following questions: (1) what does the existing literature say about the intersection of COVID-19, IPV, and IF and (2) what are the contributing factors leading to rates of violence against women during COVID-19?MethodThis topical review summarizes studies published on IPV and IF during the initial stages of COVID-19 covering the period of March 1, 2020, to July 31, 2021. This review identified 22 articles addressing rates of IPV and IF during COVID-19, exacerbating risk factors for women, and recommendations for responses and intervention efforts. ResultsFindings revealed an increase in help-seeking calls during the initial phase of the pandemic and COVID-related circumstances such as extended confinement, unemployment, school closures, social isolation, and financial strains intensifying women's experiences of violence. Data also revealed an increase in purchasing firearms, which increases the risk of women being killed by an intimate partner (Lyons et al., 2020). The nexus of COVID-19 and IPV disproportionately impact women, specifically, Latina immigrants. Implications for utilizing an intersectional framework to further examine these issues and promote social and political change are provided. ConclusionSince the rates of IPV and femicide have been reported as increasing during COVID-19, understanding the complexities and stressors associated with life in a pandemic is essential for addressing inequalities women face and the health of our communities.
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    Left behind in the US ' Deep South: Addressing critical gaps in HIV and intimate partner violence prevention efforts targeting Black women
    (Frontiers, 2022) Johnson, Karen A.; Binion, Stefanie; Waller, Bernadine; Sutton, Amber; Wilkes, Sherron; Payne-Foster, Pamela; Carlson, Catherine; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa; Columbia University; Auburn University
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    Parenting, privilege, and pandemic: From surviving to thriving as a mother in the academy
    (Sage, 2021) Beech, Haley H.; Sutton, Amber; Cheatham, Leah; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    As women who have dual roles as parents and academicians, COVID-19 has presented new challenges and opportunities that have impacted our personal and professional lives. This essay provides insight into unique obstacles from the perspective of mothers, researchers, and social workers and challenges the traditional models of work/life balance as professionals in academics. This reflexive essay provides the narratives and experiences of one assistant professor and two doctoral students who are learning to navigate motherhood and professional responsibilities amidst a global pandemic. The prologue presents a perspective from a current assistant professor and her lived experiences followed by the reflections of two doctoral students on how to navigate the academy as mothers and as women. In addition to our personal stories and narratives, we hope to challenge, inspire, and reimagine how our dual roles can be viewed as an asset, rather than a weakness and encourage others in the academy to rise and support women.