Exploring the Experiences of Domestic Abuse Survivors – The Effectiveness and Role of Support Systems in the Lives of Survivors within the UK

Shakoor, Farah (2018) Exploring the Experiences of Domestic Abuse Survivors – The Effectiveness and Role of Support Systems in the Lives of Survivors within the UK. Manchester Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Domestic abuse is a serious social problem, and its prevalence is only increasing within the UK. This study aimed to explore the experiences of women who have suffered from the traumatic events of domestic abuse. This study intended to gain an insight into the mechanisms that assist women in leaving abusive relationships, asses the effectiveness of the support services and their role in enabling recovery. Semi-structured interviews were carried out in order to collect data and then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The two super-ordinate themes deriving from the analysis were The Leaving Process and Support System and the two sub-ordinate themes deriving from the analysis were Fear and Recovery. The findings suggested that Fear was the main factor which motivated women to leave an abusive relationship. In terms of the support services findings suggested that intervention programs such as support groups and counselling were effective tools that enabled women to regain their sense of self, increase their self-efficacy and self-esteem, and helped them to feel empowered and confident within themselves.