Less social support for women in disadvantaged neighborhoods means that they are more likely to be the victims of intimate partner violence

In new research, Emily M. Wright finds that where women live can have a big influence on how protected they are from intimate partner violence. Using survey data from Chicago women, she finds that social support for women was reduced in areas with higher levels of disadvantage, leading to a greater chance of victimization. While family support was an important protective factor for women, social support from friends actually led to higher frequencies of partner violence.