The study aimed to provide population-based data on how Nicaraguan women cope with domestic violence, and to identify contextual factors predicting women's responses to abuse, including permanent separation. A cross sectional study was carried out in León, Nicaragua among 488 women 15-49 years old and 188 women were identified who reported lifetime experiences of physical partner violence. Among these women, 84% had defended themselves either physically or verbally against the violence. Forty-one percent of women had left home temporarily due to violence and only 20% had sought help outside the home. Women experiencing severe abuse were more likely to leave or seek help, whereas women with less severe abuse were more able to defend themselves effectively. Seventy percent of women eventually left abusive relationships. Women under 25 years of age, with more than a 6th grade education, and women with no history of violence in their own or their husband's families permanently separated from their partner more quickly than women without these characteristics. Significant associations were found between the use of different coping mechanisms and the likelihood of permanent separation. Help seeking and temporary separations increased the likelihood of a permanent separation, whereas women who defended themselves and were able to stop the violence, at least temporarily, were more likely to remain in abusive relationships. The study supports earlier qualitative research suggesting that overcoming violence should be viewed as a process, rather than a discrete event, and that temporary separations and help seeking are critical steps in this process.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participant will be able to: 1.List the main responses of women suffering partner violence in Nicaragua 2.Describe the factors predicting whether a woman will separate permanently from her abusive partner
Keywords: Women, Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.