Help-seeking behaviour of Serbian women who experienced intimate partner violence.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify whom women in Serbia approach for help in case of intimate partner violence (IPV), their reasons for seeking help and their satisfaction with the received help. METHODS: A cross-sectional, population-based household survey of a random sample of women aged 15-49 years was conducted in Belgrade (WHO Multi-country Study on Women's Health and Domestic Violence against Women). A standard questionnaire was administered by trained interviewers through face-to-face interviews. RESULTS: The questionnaire was completed by 1456 women and 1196 of them ever had an intimate partner. Almost one in four ever-partnered women reported experiencing either physical and/or sexual violence, at least once in their life. Among these abused women, ≈ 22% had ever sought help from formal institutions. Police and health services were most commonly approached (12% and 10% of abused women, respectively). Satisfaction with services was highest for health services and legal advice and lowest for police and social services. Women sought help especially when violence had a severe impact on them or when they saw that their children suffered. Women who did not seek help stated that they believed that the violence was bearable or had ended. Other reasons for not seeking help were fear of undesirable consequences of seeking help and lack of trust in institutions. CONCLUSIONS: From the abused women's perspective, health care services are the institutions with the highest potential to help women in cases of IPV. Developing a comprehensive health sector response is of critical importance to ensure appropriate care and referral.

What do abused women expect from their family physicians? A qualitative study among women in shelter homes.

OBJECTIVE: To gain insight into the needs and expectations of abused women in shelter homes, with regard to family physicians. METHODS: Twelve women in two shelter homes were interviewed. The interview focused on women's experiences and expectations of family physicians regarding the abuse situation. RESULTS: Eight women did not disclose intimate partner abuse to their family physicians. The main reasons were shame and fear of retaliation. Six women suffered from extreme controlling behavior by their partners, which made it impossible to seek help. Four women were not aware of the relationship between abuse by a partner and physical symptoms. Women mainly wanted a solution for physical problems and were ambivalent about help to tackle their problems with abuse. The majority of the women found the family physician's attitude of great importance and considered it a task of the family physician to provide assistance. CONCLUSION: Although the family physician did not play an important role in solving the problems for victims of intimate partner abuse living in shelter homes, an open and empathic attitude was of great importance to these women. Women also expressed the need for assistance by their physician and emphasized that it was important to keep asking about partner abuse, even in case of denial.