Using an intersectional lens to explore how women navigate intimate partner violence
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Delaware
Abstract
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a widespread problem that disproportionately affects women in heterosexual relationships. It occurs among all races, ethnicities, and socioeconomic statuses. This study is a qualitative study of the Civil Justice Project’s (Fleury-Steiner & Miller, 2014) interview transcripts examining IPV victims’ help-seeking behaviors and self-efficacy across gender, race, education, culture, employment status, and structure. Findings extend current knowledge on help-seeking behaviors and self-efficacy by using an intersectional lens to examine multiple inequalities. The majority of participants, regardless of race, were successful in obtaining Protection from Abuse orders, and because of this success, they felt safer and empowered, leading to increased feelings of self-efficacy. The process, however, was puzzling to the women, and affected their feelings of whether justice was achieved and stronger feelings of self-efficacy. Equal numbers of women, regardless of race, engaged in defensive violence as a form of self-defense. All of the women reached out for help from friends, family members, or professionals, which increased their feelings of self-efficacy. Yet, due to social location and structural barriers, women varied in their access to help-seeking behaviors. Limitations of the study are addressed and future directions and policy implications are included.
Description
Keywords
Social sciences, Psychology, Help-seeking, IPV, Intersectional, Intersectionality, Self-efficacy