Researcher's
analysis uncovers barriers women face when entering new relationships
University
at Buffalo
Violence
that occurs between intimate partners does not end with the relationship's
conclusion, yet few resources exist to help survivors move beyond the betrayal
of abusive relationships in order to begin new, healthy relationships.
The
effects of intimate partner violence (IPV) are profound, painfully enduring and
should command as much attention as providing victims with the help necessary
to leave violent relationships, according to a new study by a University at
Buffalo social work researcher.
"Once
a victim leaves an abusive relationship we have to begin addressing the issues
that stem from having been in that relationship," says Noelle St. Vil, an
assistant professor in UB's School of Social Work. "You can carry the
scars from IPV for a long time and those scars can create barriers to forming
new relationships."
St.
Vil calls IPV a pervasive public health issue.
Nearly one in three women in the U.S. have experienced IPV. One in 10 women have been raped by an intimate partner.
IPV
is a subtype of domestic violence. While domestic violence can include violence
occurring among any individuals living in a single household, IPV is at the
level of an intimate relationship.
It's
one partner trying to gain power and control over another partner. IPV can
involve many types of violent behavior, including physical, verbal, emotional
and financial.
Looking
at IPV from the perspective of betrayal trauma theory, a concept that explores
when trusted individuals or institutions betray those they're expected to
protect and support, St. Vil's research, published in the Journal of
Interpersonal Violence, explores how the long-lasting implications of IPV
and the consequences of being in such a relationship should be addressed.
"We
often use betrayal trauma theory to describe children who have experienced
child abuse," says St. Vil. "But the same betrayal occurs with IPV: a
partner who you trust, can be vulnerable with, who should be building you up,
is in fact inflicting abuse. It's a betrayal of what's supposed to be a
trusting relationship."
With
most help and support centered on keeping women safe in a relationship or
providing them with the means to get out of an abusive relationship, St. Vil
began thinking about the effects of the trauma.
"How
do you move forward after leaving?" she asked. "What does that look
like?"
Her
interviews with nine survivors of IPV represent the initial steps to answer
those questions and revealed four barriers to establishing new relationships.
Vulnerability/Fear:
Women emerging from IPV often set up an emotional wall, hesitant to begin new
relationships. Some victims said they entered into a physical relationship, but
avoided becoming emotionally attached.
Relationship
Expectations: Some women in the study opened themselves emotionally, but
expected even what appeared to be a healthy relationship to decay into violence.
Shame/Low
Self-Esteem: Participants in the study expressed how low self-esteem sabotaged
new relationships. Part of gaining power and control in violent relationships
involves breaking down self-esteem. When things aren't going well in new
relationships, victims can return to the feelings experienced during IPV,
asking, "Why would anyone love me?"
Communication
Issues: St. Vil says communication is a major issue in new relationships as
victims struggle to understand and explain to new partners what they experienced
during IPV and its effects on their current behavior. Women who were unable to
communicate their experiences felt disconnected from their new relationships.
St.
Vil says her one-on-one interviews capture critical aspects of IPV survivors'
experiences. "This is a starting point," she says. "We're trying
to understand the depth of the issue and can use the data from this research
for a potentially larger study."
For
the time being, St. Vil is emphatic.
"The
effects don't end once a woman is out of the relationship. We need to
understand that and know there's more work to be done."
