Coping mechanisms employed by women survivors of intimate partner violence in Mityana District, Busimbi Division

Abstract

Intimate partner violence presents a serious threat to the physical, mental, emotional, and economic wellbeing of the victims. For one to understand the nature and forms as well as the challenges faced by victims and how they cope with intimate partner violence, one need to understand the different context in which violence take place as this will guide the designing and implementation of culturally competent strategies to mitigate intimate partner violence that is common among partners. This study used a qualitative approach with a case study design to explore the coping mechanisms used by women survivors of intimate partner violence in Mityana district with the aim of understanding the nature and forms of violence commonly experienced by survivors, the challenges faced by survivors as well as the different measures (positive and negative) the survivors take to cope with violence and its after effects. The study used in-depth face to face interviews to collect data from 12 participants who were purposively as primary participants from Nakaseeta in Busimbi division, Mityana district. In addition, the study incorporated key informant interviews which were conducted with the local council chairperson and the child and family protection unit officer. The study findings discovered numerous forms of intimate partner violence including physical violence which can occur in form of beating, as well as kicking, sexual violence which the participants described in terms of forced sex, as well as psychological violence which takes the form of using abusive language to inflict pain on the victims. The challenges faced by survivors include poverty, lack sleep, alcoholism, as well as low self-esteem. Finally, the participants used measures such as spirituality, family support, to cope with intimate partner violence. Finally, the study recommends the need for stakeholders like the government and non-governmental organizations to bring the perpetrators to justice. Another recommendation is that efforts should be channeled towards helping intimate partner violence survivors in much better way other than relying on prayer. That resources can be inform of providing hotlines or toll-free lines with quick response rate for survivors who get into situations where they cannot access physical help to escape violence.