Disclosure of violence by non-family perpetrators by conflict-affected women in Kosovo

This study examines help-seeking behaviors of Kosovar women who experienced non-family perpetrated violence during three time periods related to the Kosovo-Serbian conflict: war (1988-1998), displacement (1988-1998), and post-conflict (1999-2001). Data were collected from a 2002 cross-sectional gender-based violence survey designed and implemented in Peja, Kosovo, by the Women's Wellness Center (Kosovo), the Reproductive Health Response in Conflict Consortium, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the University of Arizona. Interviews of 332 women (87% response rate) were conducted. Frequency and bivariate analyses pertained to the respondent's most serious incident of violence for each time period (n=65 during war, n=95 during displacement, and n=4 post-conflict). The respondents' mean age was 36 years, 87% had at least a primary education and 63% had a partner. During war and displacement, most women disclosed the violence to an informal support source such as family (87% and 94%, respectively) and fewer sought formal support services such as NGOs (24% and 26%, respectively). During war, variables significantly associated with disclosure to a formal service included incidents involving being threatened with death (46% v 0%, p<.01), and being with other family members or friends (34% v 6%, p=.02). Similarly during displacement, being threatened with death (30% v 5%, p=.01), and being with other family members or friends during the attack (30% v 0%, p=.01) were significantly associated with this outcome. Our findings emphasize the importance for providers to proactively identify survivors of violence during war and displacement (including refugee camps) and increase accessibility of support services.