Messages from Long Term Survivors
Messages from long term survivors
The study For victim/survivors of domestic and family violence, the journey to safety and well being is a long one. In recognition of this and the support that is needed beyond crisis responses, the Queensland Government has funded a diverse range of Women’s Health and Wellbeing Support services across Queensland. QCDFVR is working with these services, and the funder, the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women, on an evaluation of how women are being supported on their journey to recovery. Along the way, friends, family, service providers of various types will be critical to help women in their healing. It is important that those seeking to support survivors hear, and listen to, their voices. This recent American study shares meanings and lessons learned from long term survivors.
Amended and abridged article Flash, P., Fall, K., Stice, B., Easley, R., Murray, C., & Crowe, A. (2020). Messages to New Survivors by Longer-Term Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence. Journal of Family Violence, 35(1), 29-41
21 . QCDFVRe@der, Autumn 2020
The focus of the study was an examination of specific messages of encouragement and advice from 263 survivors to those who had recently left violent relationships. The survivors were mainly heterosexual women, all who had been out of their most recent abusive relationship for at least two years. The study was part of two larger studies that examined stigma and recovery experiences of survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Findings were derived from one specific open-ended question, part of an electronic survey.
Key messages Eleven categories emerged when data were analysed in answer to the question: what message would you want to send to people who have recently left an abusive relationship? 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.
self-love and inherent strengths, healing is a journey and process, value of social support importance of leaving the abusive relationship behind, focus on self-care, guidance for new relationships, practical issues and resources, recommendations about children, religious and spiritual messages, obtaining education about IPV, and advocacy and social action.
