Family and partner environments are supposed to be a safe haven for individuals, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. Violence violates fundamental human rights and thus represents a significant social problem. When crises arise, social work can step in as a crucial support system. Engaging in social work also means listening and giving individuals' stories their rightful place.
The goal of my thesis is to improve the understanding of the process of disclosure of violence in intimate relationships. By studying the stories of individuals who have shared their experiences with disclosing violence, I aim to create knowledge that will support both those who have already disclosed the violence and those who are still gathering the strength to do so.
In a qualitative study, I collected narratives from victims of family violence and intimate partner violence about their experiences with disclosing violence through semi-structured interviews. I was interested in the relationship between the victim and the perpetrator, as well as the types of violence the victim experienced. I inquired about how the disclosure of violence unfolded. Special attention was given to the disclosure of violence in informal and formal environments, examining the factors that act as incentives in this process and those that pose obstacles. Lastly, I explored the relationship between the type of relationship and the process of disclosing violence, as well as the relationship between the type of violence and the disclosure process.
Victims of intimate relationship violence always sought support from their close ones after experiencing violence. Their stories did not reach support services, with testimonies revealing several obstacles. Although victims did not even consider disclosing to formal networks, together we managed to identify some potential incentives. Victims of intimate relationship violence recognize and disclose violence differently. Victims of intimate partner violence recognize the violence and leave the relationship more quickly, while victims of family violence often stay longer in the abusive environment due to dependency on the family. Physical and sexual violence are often not immediately recognized by victims as violence, partly due to social norms and lack of awareness.
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