Le portrait de la violence conjugale dans le comté de Kent : une expérience de recherche-action

Abstract

Revue de l'Université de Moncton, vol. 36, n o 2, 2005, p. 203-226 AbstractThe Center for the prevention of family violence of Kent County and various individuals from the community have joined together with a university researcher to undertake an action research with regards to women who are victims of domestic violence. The purpose of this research is to help 204 Revue de l'Université de Moncton, vol. 36, n o 2, 2005 better understand the problem of domestic violence in Kent County and to provide recommendations which will provide better assistance to victims. Twelve women were interviewed individually while six participated in group discussions. These women spoke of their current violent situation and its effects on themselves and their children. They also identified the needs of the women victims of this type of violence. The research sheds light on the victims' conditions and also, on the scarcity of services and resources available to them in Kent County. The women's experiences and points of view also instigated actions to help women who are victims of domestic violence and their children.

How Social Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence Affect Homelessness Among Women in Two Rural Regions With Resource-Based Economies in Eastern Quebec

“…Hence, women who are victims of intimate partner violence may let feelings of shame, fear of being seen as “failures,” or fear of what other people will say keep them from reaching out to others for help and support (Farhall et al, 2020, p. 191). In such communities, fear of reprisals from abusers or their friends and family is also especially prevalent (Bourassa & Savoie, 2005; Farhall et al, 2020; Savard & Marchand, 2016). Moreover, representatives of the justice system, such as police officers, lawyers, and judges, often protect perpetrators with whom they have social ties, such as sports teammates and hunting and fishing buddies (Dekeseredy, 2019; Farhall et al, 2020).…”

“…At the same time, in such communities, the focus on family values and on women's role in maintaining family relationships places pressure on women to remain in the family setting even when they are experiencing violence from their intimate partners or other family members (Farhall et al, 2020;Savard & Marchand, 2016) While thus receiving scant support from their families, women living in sparsely populated areas cannot rely on neighbors to detect the violence that they are suffering and take steps to ensure their safety. In contrast with urban settings, geographic isolation reduces the chances that episodes of violence against women will be seen and heard and that women will have quick access to a resource or a safe place where they can seek help (Bourassa & Savoie, 2005;Dekeseredy, 2019;Savard & Marchand, 2016).…”

“…When he ransacked their home, she tried to get admitted to a shelter, but they turned her down and told her that she should be able to throw her son out and ensure her own safety in her own home. Louise also experienced another problem that has been well documented in smaller communities, especially in situations that require confidentiality: the people to whom victims of violence turn for help often have family, social, or professional ties with the other parties involved (Bourassa & Savoie, 2005;DeKeseredy, 2019;Farhall et al, 2020;Savard & Marchand, 2016). Thus, when Louise went looking for help, she ran into problems because some of the people she turned to had various ties with her son or her ex-partner and perceived her as an outsider, which she believes led them to question her word about the violence that she had suffered at their hands.…”

Sortir de la violence conjugale dans l’avancée en âge : les réalités des femmes vivant en milieu rural francophone minoritaire

“…Comme l'explique Grama (2000, p. 177), « trop souvent, le policier qui répond à l'appel d'aide de la femme peut être aussi un voisin, le juge ou l'avocat, un ami de la famille » [notre traduction]. L'isolement géographique et social est un autre obstacle majeur pour les femmes victimes de violence conjugale en milieu rural (Bourassa et Savoie, 2005). En région rurale, la violence conjugale est plus facilement dissimulable non seulement parce que les voisins sont éloignés les uns des autres, mais aussi parce que les femmes sont souvent cantonnées chez elles (Hornosty et Doherty, 2002;Kasdorff et Erb, 2010;Teaster, Roberto et Dugar, 2006).…”

“…Par conséquent, « l'isolement vécu par les femmes dans leur résidence rurale réduit l'accès aux services d'aide en matière de violence et contribue à la perpétuation de la violence » [notre traduction] (Few, 2005, p. 489). De plus, les services d'aide pour les femmes victimes de violence conjugale sont moins nombreux dans les régions rurales, très étendues, que dans les régions urbaines, plus concentriques (Bourassa et Savoie, 2005;Teaster, Roberto et Dugar, 2006). « …l'anonymat et la confidentialité en région rurale apparaît également comme un enjeu pour les femmes qui désirent mettre un terme à la violence conjugale.…”