Exploring Narratives of Agency in Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

Abstract

This study aimed to contribute to the knowledge on South African women’s experiences of leaving relationships that consisted of intimate partner violence (IPV), as well as to give them a platform to share their narratives and subjective experiences. Guided by the principles of intersectionality, various factors were considered in understanding how these women experienced the process of leaving their abusive relationships – thus looking at the influence of race, class, employment status, marital status and religion. The study involved eight women between the ages of 25 years old and 54 years old, who were all out of their abusive relationships for over a year. This was a qualitative study in which narrative analysis was used to analyse the data collected, all of which were based on Mishler’s adopted components of analysis (1995 as cited in Kim, 2016). Three themes emerged in understanding the psychological and emotional processes when leaving. These include the shattering of the idea of an ideal relationship, the beginning of the end as well as repositioning oneself. The objectives of the study were translated into the discussion section under these themes and the relevant sub-themes that emerged. The findings highlighted key differences in how this process was experienced between white women and women of colour, mothers, working women and those who were not working but it also pointed out some similarities. Overall, these were the nuances of the psychological and emotional experiences that are not often discussed which in essence play a significant part in the agency of women leaving these types of relationships. Future research recommendations are discussed based on the findings, which include focusing on the effectiveness of preventive measures both on a microlevel and macrolevel. In this regard, looking at the effectiveness of safehouses and looking at measures to increase access to these resources, as well as the effectiveness of conscientizing young men on the discourses of oppression and how these infiltrate intimate spaces. There is further discussion on how this research can be used in the field of psychology through informing interventions that correlate with the findings.