|
|||||
|
|
Barriers to Seeking Police Help for Intimate Partner Violence |
|
| Authors: | Marsha E. Wolf Uyen Ly Margaret A. Hobart Mary A. Kernic |
| Affiliation: | (1) Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Washington;(2) Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center, Seattle, Washington;(3) Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Washington;(4) School of Medicine, University of Washington, Washington;(5) Department of Political Science, University of Washington, USA;(6) Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Washington |
| Abstract: | Intimate partner violence is underreported to police. A study was conducted utilizing focus group methodology to identify women's perceptions of the barriers to seeking police help for intimate partner violence (IPV). Facilitators used a structured format with open-ended questions for five focus group sessions that were recorded and subsequently analyzed using Ethnograph software. Participants were 41 women identified from social service agencies in an urban setting serving IPV women with diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Participants identified many barriers for victims, which fell within the following three themes: (1) Predisposing characteristics — situational and personal factors; (2) fears and negative experiences with police response; and (3) fears of possible repercussions. Participants also described positive experiences with police and generated a  wish list for improving police response to IPV. Policies and actions that can be taken by police and social service agencies to address the barriers IPV victims face in seeking police help are discussed. |
| Keywords: | intimate partner violence domestic violence barriers police |
| 本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录！ | |