Gender-based violence constitutes a major public health and social concern, with particularly complex implications in structurally vulnerable contexts such as rural settings. However, empirical evidence regarding the specific profile and risk perception of women experiencing gender-based violence in small municipalities remains limited. The aim of this study was to analyze the sociodemographic characteristics of women victims of gender-based violence residing in small rural municipalities and to examine their associations with mental health indicators and perceived risk of future violence. The sample comprised 30 women receiving support at a Specialized Care Centre for Victims of Gender-Based Violence (CAVI) serving three small municipalities in the Vega Media region (Region of Murcia, Spain). Standardized measures of depression, anxiety, and stress were administered, together with an assessment of perceived risk. The findings suggest a specific sociodemographic profile characterized by moderate levels of depression, anxiety, and stress symptoms and generally low perceived risk. Women without children reported higher levels of psychological distress and perceived risk than those with children, although these differences should be interpreted with caution given the sample size. Overall, these findings provide preliminary insights into the characteristics and risk perception of women experiencing gender-based violence in rural settings and highlight the need for context-sensitive prevention and intervention strategies.
Olmedilla-Caballero et al. (Thu,) studied this question.