Empowering Practices With Domestic Violence Survivors in India

Abstract

There is a growing concern about women’s safety in India. This study examined a grassroots agency’s response to domestic violence in the community by examining their empowerment-focused work with survivors through crisis intervention centers. Multi-informant perspectives examined (a) the organizational process of facilitating or strengthening empowerment of survivors and (b) the mechanisms central to this process. Results highlight various salient mechanisms, namely, the adoption of a survivor-centered approach, collaborative relationships with staff, meeting women where they are, systems advocacy, fostering independence, and building long-term networks with formal and informal supports. Implications for intervention and prevention work are discussed.

Coping Strategies and Help-Seeking Behaviors among Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: A Qualitative Study of Spouses of Men with Heavy Drinking in India

“…In India, the prevalence of lifetime IPV amongst ever-married women is 33%, ranging from 6% to 44% across states [10]. Such high occurrence has been ascribed to heteropatriarchal gender power asymmetries and stringent gender roles, both of which cement women in subordinate positions [11][12][13][14][15]. Such patriarchal structures permeate both the community and institutional levels, normalizing spousal violence and stigmatizing women survivors who disclose such "private" matters in public spheres.…”