Intimate Partner Violence: Exploring Experience and Coping Strategies of Survivors in Addis Ababa

Abstract

This study was conducted between January 2017 and June 2017 to
explore the experience of intimate partner violence victims with special
reference to female survivors currently residing in the Shelter for
Abused Women in Addis Ababa, run by the Association for Women’s
Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD). It was conducted with the
purpose of understanding the experiences of victims from the time they
entered the relationship up to their placement in the shelter for the
abused women. The study employed qualitative approach to generate
data. Data were gathered both from primary and secondary sources, but
heavily relied on primary sources. Six in-depth interviews and one
focus group discussion was conducted with the victims of intimate
partner violence and the data gathered were analysed thematically. The
findings of the study showed that the girls were unable to break up with
their abusive partners due to their own emotions, attributed to low selfesteem,
guilty feeling and shame. Moreover, close people’s negative
attitude, family disapproval and humiliating stigma attached to those
who tried to break away generated feelings of remorse. In spite of this,
it was also revealed that some of them fought back for their freedom.
Based on the findings, it was recommended that there is a need to
strengthen the existing violence reduction and prevention efforts by
different institutions.