"What Fresh Hell Is This?" Victims of Intimate Partner Violence Describe Their Experiences of Abuse, Pain, and Depression

• NCJ Number: 242706
• Journal: Journal of Family Violence Volume: 27 Issue: 8 Dated: November 2012 Pages: 773-781
• Author(s): Catherine Cerulli; Ellen Poleshuck; Christina Raimondi; Stephanie Veale; Nancy Chin
• Date Published: November 2012
• Length: 9 pages
• Grant Number(s): K01MH75965-01; K23MH079347-02
• Sponsoring Agency: National Institute of Mental Health
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study explored the need to address intimate partner violence (IPV) consequences with an integrated model and begin to understand the interconnectedness between violence, health, and safety.

Abstract

Traditionally, professionals working with intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors view a victim through a disciplinary lens, examining health and safety in isolation. Using focus groups with survivors, this study explored the need to address IPV consequences with an integrated model and begin to understand the interconnectedness between violence, health, and safety. Focus group findings revealed that the inscription of pain on the body serves as a reminder of abuse, in turn triggering emotional and psychological pain and disrupting social relationships. In many cases, the physical abuse had stopped but the abuser was relentless by reminding and retraumatizing the victim repeatedly through shared parenting, prolonged court cases, etc. This increased participants' exhaustion and frustration, making the act of daily living overwhelming. Abstract published by arrangement with Springer.