Factors underlying women's decision not to report physical abuse : a qualitative exploration

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Violence against women, commonly known as women abuse, is currently evolving into aserious social problem. In South Africa thousands of women are victims of violenceinflicted by their intimate partners. Although violence against women is a seriousviolation of human rights, it is often not recognised as such. Violence against women inintimate relationships often results in women experiencing serious physical,psychological and reproductive health problems. When living or trapped in abusiverelationships, women are exposed to injuries, ailments and diseases, wounds, chronicpain, infertility and internal bleeding. In spite of the fact that governments, including theSouth Africa government, have committed themselves to addressing women abusethrough legislation, large numbers of women still experience extraordinary high levels ofviolence. However, many women neglect to report incidents of violence. Many womenremain in such relationships, legislation aimed at protecting their rights not withstanding.The aim of this study was to explore why women neglect to report incidents of violenceand to explore women's experiences of violence. Seven coloured women between theages of 21 and 38 years and living in a small rural town in the Western Cape participatedin the study. In-depth interviews were used to obtain information from these women.The extent of the problem of women abuse worldwide and in South Africa is illustratedby research conducted internationally as well as locally. Radical feminism is used as atheoretical framework to interpret the causes of women abuse, the 'acceptance' of womenabuse by the community and society and the reasons why women choose not to reportincidents of abuse. The analysis and the interpretation of the data is done against thebackground of social practices embedded in the patriarchal structuring of society. It wasfound that women's experiences and lives are predominantly structured in terms of theirsex and that women comply with expectations set by their intimate partners, family andfriends. In order to maintain their relationships, secure a household income and to protecttheir children against poverty, women remain silent about the abuse they suffer. Thestudy also found that women's responses to abuse relate to the sources and optionsavailable to them.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University