Exploring the belief systems of domestic abuse victims: an exploratory study

Date13 March 2017
Published date13 March 2017
Pages17-26
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/JCRPP-10-2016-0028
AuthorElizabeth Spruin,Ria Baker,Ioanna Papadaki,Anke Franz,Emma Alleyne
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Criminology & forensic psychology
Exploring the belief systems of domestic
abuse victims: an exploratory study
Elizabeth Spruin, Ria Baker, Ioanna Papadaki, Anke Franz and Emma Alleyne
Abstract
Purpose Support service provisions for domestic abuse victims have typically focussed on the immediate
risk and etiological factors associated with abuse. Consequently, there is limited research exploring more
persistent and pervasive factors involved in this cycle of abuse, such as subjective experiences and beliefs
held by victims of domestic abuse. The purpose of this paper is to preliminary explore individual experience of
domestic abuse including the belief systems of participants. Increasing our understanding of key factors and
beliefs in the experience of domestic abuse could enable support services to create more long-term
sustainable support for victims.
Design/methodology/approach In total, 12 women with a history of domestic abuse participated in an
exploratory interview about their general beliefs and thoughts surrounding their domestic abuse experience.
Interviews were analysed using thematic analysis.
Findings The thematic analysis identified four belief themes: personal responsibility, antisocial attitudes,
environmental factors and negative attitudes towards police.
Practical implications The paper highlights the value of understanding subjective, personalized
experiences and beliefs of domestic abuse victims; identifies the importance of belief systems as potential
treatment targets for domestic abuse victims; and acknowledges an avenue for more effective support
provision for victims of domestic abuse.
Originality/value This preliminary study offers new insights into the role of belief systems amongst
a sample of domestically abused women. Understanding the significance of personalized, subjective
experiences of domestic abuse victims is a step towards designing and implementing effective interventions.
The findings further emphasize the need for more empirical researchand theory development within the area
of beliefs and domestic abuse victims.
Keywords Victims, Domestic abuse, Belief systems, Cycle of abuse, Smallest space analysis,
Support services
Paper type Research paper
Over two million women are victims of domestic abuse every year in the UK, with one in four
experiencing some form of abuse in their lifetime (Office for National Statistics, 2013). Domestic
abuse is defined by the Home Office (2013) as violence of any description that occurs between
partners who are, or were, in an intimate relationship. The definition of abuse can include (but is not
limited to) physical, sexual, emotional and verbal abuse. Domestic abuse also comes at a
high-financial price to the criminal justice system, health and community services. In particular, the UK
spends an estimated £3.1 billion every year addressing domestic abuse, with a further loss of
£2.7 billion to the economy due to womens inability to work whilst recovering from injuries (Walby,
2004). In addition to the economic costs, the personal cost to victims can be extensive given the
impact domestic abuse can have on victimspsychological, emotional and interpersonal welfare
(Cohen et al., 1994). Thus, it is clear that the overarching impact of domestic abuse has considerable
implications for victims, the wider community, and the economy.
Currently, support service provisions for domestic abuse victims have focussed on providing
immediate emotional, practical and professional assistance (Spruin et al.,2015).However,these
services are often generalized and short term, lacking a more specialist tailored approach (Coy and
Kelly, 2009) to provide victims with individualized help that responds to long-term outcomes.
Therefore, there is a need for support services to offer greater longstanding, person-centred care
(Hester and Westmorland, 2005).
Received 25 October 2016
Revised 5 December 2016
Accepted 6 December 2016
Elizabeth Spruin is a Senior
Lecturer in Psychology and
Ria Baker is a Senior Lecturer in
Practice Learning, both at the
Canterbury Christ Church
University, Canterbury, UK.
Ioanna Papadaki is a
Psychologist at the University
of Kent, Canterbury, UK.
Anke Franz is a Senior Lecturer
at the Canterbury Christ
Church University,
Canterbury, UK.
Emma Alleyne is a Senior
Lecturer at the University of
Kent, Canterbury, UK.
DOI 10.1108/JCRPP-10-2016-0028 VOL. 3 NO. 1 2017, pp.17-26, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2056-3841
j
JOURNAL OF CRIMINOLOGICAL RESEARCH, POLICY AND PRACTICE
j
PAGE 1 7

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT