Space matters. The influence of situational and sociocultural factors on intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW)

Intimate partner violence against women (IPVAW) is a complex and multidimensional phenomenon derived from personal, situational and sociocultural factors. The comprehension of the characteristics of the local environment is key to better understand the geographical disparities in the prevalence of such violence and, consequently, in the exposure of the risk of suffering it. Furthermore, is essential for a better informed and localised intervention. Dynamic panel data model has been developed to pinpoint the relationship between IPVAW risk and situational and sociocultural aspects of spatial configuration. Using data from the General Council of the Judiciary of the 21 Judicial Districts of the Community of Madrid (Spain) between 2009 and 2019, we obtain that a lower socioeconomic status, a greater concentration of immigrant population and a greater average age of their population are associated with higher rates of judicial complaints of IPVAW. There is no evidence that a worse situation in the labour market, inferior access to educational, health and social resources and lower social cohesion are related to the risk of exposure to IPVAW. More in-depth research is needed into the influence of local factors on IPVAW that allow developing policies oriented to promote socio-territorial equity within regions and cities.