Dear Colleagues,

Gender-based violence (GBV), as defined by international organizations such as the UN and WHO, encompasses any harmful act perpetrated against a person's will and grounded in socially ascribed differences between men and women. While anyone can be a victim of violence due to their sex or gender, women and girls are at the greatest risk. GBV includes acts that inflict physical, sexual, or mental harm or suffering, threats of such acts, coercion, and other deprivations of liberty. These acts may occur in public or in private. GBV can take multiple forms, such as intimate partner violence, sexual violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, honor crimes, and the denial of resources or opportunities such as education.

GBV represents a serious social and public health problem of great magnitude, affecting millions of people worldwide and resulting in severe consequences for the physical, psychological, and sexual health of victims, as well as the well-being of their families and societies. From the perspective of behavioral psychology, it is essential to understand the mechanisms that explain the onset, maintenance, and cessation of violent behavior. This involves considering the role of learning processes, cognitive, emotional, and social factors, as well as the influence of gender norms in shaping such behaviors.

This special issue aims to bring together original research, reviews, editorials, and systematic reviews that address gender-based violence from a behavioral perspective, with a special focus on the following topics:

- Identification and assessment of risk and protective factors

- Manifestations and consequences of gender-based violence

- Gender norms and sexist attitudes that perpetuate gender-based violence

- Evidence-based prevention and intervention programs

- Coping strategies, resilience, and recovery among victims

- Effectiveness of rehabilitation programs for perpetrators

Researchers and professionals in psychology, public health, sociology, and related disciplines are invited to submit contributions that provide scientific evidence and innovative approaches for understanding and addressing GBV.

Prof. María del Mar Sánchez Fuentes and Prof. Ana Álvarez Muelas
Guest Editors