The causal effect of childhood violence on experiences of intimate partner victimisation and perpetration in later adolescence and young adulthood: a cohort study in Uganda

Abstract Eliminating violence against women and children are part of Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5 and 16. Using data from a prospective cohort of 3438 young people in Luwero, Uganda followed at a median age of 13 years, 17 years, and 21 years, we find that childhood violence from teachers, peers, and caregivers increases risk of subsequent intimate partner violence (IPV) victimisation in women and perpetration in men. Among women, risk of adult IPV victimisation is increased by experience of both severe childhood violence, as well as normative acts like corporal punishment. We use a causal mediation analysis to show that childhood violence has long-term impacts on young adulthood IPV victimisation that are not through pathways involving experiences of IPV in adolescence. Our results reinforce the importance of preventing childhood violence and suggest that addressing both normative and severe violence could lower women’s risk of intimate partner violence in early adulthood.