Voices of Survivors of Domestic Violence with Varying Abilities: Leading Critical Conversations

Overview: This presentation reviews results from a qualitative analysis of 50 stories of survivors of domestic violence from around the world, including of varying abilities, from an empowerment perspective. Findings are used to lead critical conversations and guide recommendations specific to social work engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, education, research, and policy.Proposal text: Domestic violence (DV) involves the use of power and control behaviors that negatively affect the physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological well-being of the survivor (Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2018). Worldwide, up to 71% of individuals have experienced DV in their lifetime (Drennan, 2008). In the United States specifically, approximately 1 in 4 women and 1 in 10 men will experience stalking, sexual assault, and/or physical violence (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). Most survivors of DV are women and have experienced their first incident by their 20s (CDC, 2014).

In the short-term, survivors of DV may experience physical injury, concerns for personal and child safety, and feelings of being worried or scared (CDC, 2019; Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2018; Ellsberg et al., 2008). In the long-term, those who have endured DV may experience poor health, chronic pain, concerns for personal and familial safety, and mental health symptoms including suicidality and post-traumatic stress disorder (CDC; Child Welfare Information Gateway, 2018; Ellsberg et al., 2008). Such impacts are so pervasive that DV has been framed as a public health concern (CDC, 2014) and human rights issue (Ellsberg et al., 2008).

DV is recognized to affect all individuals across the lifespan (Danis & Lettle, 2003); of all genders, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations, and abilities; and in all countries (Sumter, 2006). Although research among underrepresented and oppressed groups specific to DV is lacking (Sumter, 2006), existing literature suggests that prevalence rates may be equitable or higher than heteronormative groups (Walters, Chen, & Breiding, 2013). Unfortunately, literature also suggests that individuals of diverse backgrounds may be less likely to seek or receive assistance for DV (Sumter, 2006).

Survivors of DV may receive services from crisis hotlines, victims services programs, medical services, housing programs, law enforcement, and mental health care (CDC, 2019). Given their interdisciplinary and interprofessional nature, including employment in various settings, social workers are likely to interface with survivors of DV (Forgey & Colarossi, 2003). However, social workers may not be trained in proper techniques when working with survivors of DV (Forgey & Colarossi, 2003; Nuszkowski, Coben, Kelleher, & Goldcamp, 2007) and more research surrounding DV, particularly from the perspectives of survivors, is needed to inform social work practice and promote evidence-based practice (CDC, 2010; Danis & Lettle, 2003).

In response to gaps in existing research, particularly among diverse groups, empowerment projects are beginning to emerge. Empowerment projects encourage participants to share their own story in their own words and have been theorized to promote engagement (O'Gorman et al., 2012), communication, coping, processing, and validation (Giles, Coupland, & Wiemann, 1990) with the goal of changing sociopolitical contexts (Atkinson, 2004) and informing theory, knowledge, and interventions (Robbins, 2014).

The purpose of this presentation is to summarize a qualitative analysis of secondary data from 50 survivors of DV, including those of varying abilities, from around the world. Findings are used to lead critical conversations from an empowerment perspective and guide social work practice across the micro to macro continuum.