Economic dependence, control, power dynamics, and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM): An integrated literature review

Authors

Marika Dawkins-Cavazos, The University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Sherill V. C. Morris-Francis, Prairie View A&M University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2025

Abstract

The Caribbean is considered one of the most violent regions in the world, characterized by alarmingly high homicide rates and widespread intimate partner violence (IPV). As such, crime remains a critical focus in discussions surrounding both criminal justice and public health. This integrative literature review analyzes empirical studies from 2012 to 2022 across seven Caribbean countries to explore patterns of IPV, particularly emphasizing economic and emotional abuse, controlling behaviors, and power dynamics. Accordingly, this review addresses the central question: “How do economic dependence, control, and power dynamics influence intimate partner violence in the Caribbean community?” Women who are economically dependent face significant obstacles to leaving abusive relationships, compounded by cultural stigma, a lack of financial autonomy, and inadequate support systems. Structural challenges such as limited educational opportunities, high unemployment rates, and insufficient mental health services further exacerbate these issues. Guided by a Caribbean feminist perspective and Biderman’s Chart of Coercion, this review identifies gaps in the literature, including the limited availability of longitudinal data and the underrepresentation of male victims, and advocates for culturally informed policy reforms, expanded research, and gender-sensitive community interventions.

Comments

This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice on October 2025, available at: https://doi.org/10.1080/15377938.2025.2554869

Recommended Citation

Dawkins-Cavazos, Marika, and Sherill VC Morris-Francis. "Economic dependence, control, power dynamics, and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM): An integrated literature review." Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice 23.4 (2025): 371-408. https://doi.org/10.1080/15377938.2025.2554869

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

Publication Title

Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice

DOI

10.1080/15377938.2025.2554869