Intimate Partner Violence as Multiple Capability Deprivations: A Fuzzy and Counting Approach
摘要
This paper proposes a method to measure intimate partner violence (IPV) against women as a set of capability deprivations, recognising its complex, context-dependent, and multidimensional nature. Building on the Alkire-Foster framework and the Bettio-Betti-Ticci fuzzy approach, our index moves beyond prevalence by incorporating intensity, capturing the number of different violent acts, their frequency, and severity. These elements reflect the lack of freedom associated with experiencing violence, which is not only a deprivation in itself but also a driver and consequence of other capability deprivations. We complement this methodological contribution with a theoretical discussion of IPV within the capability approach, clarifying the normative foundations of our measure and the assumptions it entails. We also address the data requirements for applying the method in practice and the potential for applying the IPV index in a global context. Therefore, we contribute to the ongoing debate on the next generation of indicators of multidimensional and overlapping disadvantages. As illustrations, we apply the method to three empirical settings: a European-level survey, a regional-level survey, and administrative data from an anti-violence centre. These applications demonstrate the flexibility of the method and its ability to reveal patterns of violence that prevalence alone cannot.