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

Abstract

L’article présente une revue critique de la documentation portant sur les réalités des femmes qui avancent en âge (50 ans et plus), vivent en milieu rural franco-ontarien et sont victimes de violence conjugale, ainsi que sur les enjeux qu’elles rencontrent dans leurs parcours de sortie de violence. Après avoir défini les catégories d’âge retenues, nous montrons notamment que ces femmes sont aux prises avec des contextes sociospatiaux, géographiques et économiques spécifiques, lesquels engendrent des barrières particulières dans la sortie de la violence. De plus, la situation de minorisation vécue sur le plan sociolinguistique accroît certains de ces obstacles, tels que l’accès aux services publics et sociaux. Nous concluons en mettant en relief la dimension critique de la recension effectuée et proposons des pistes de recherche.This paper presents a critical literary review of the realities and issues faced by women aged 50 years and older who are victims of domestic violence in rural, Franco-Ontarian contexts. We demonstrate that women who reside in rural communities must face specific circumstances related to the socio-spatial, geographic and economic context, which create particular barriers for those trying to leave violent relationships. Finally, living in a minority situation, these women must face additional barriers, such as having access to public services in their mother tongue. We conclude by highlighting the critical dimension of the literary review and suggest some research avenues

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

“…The participants' comments (60 references) reflect the pervasiveness of stereotypical views about gender roles in rural areas, as supported by the results of research (DeKeseredy, 2019;Farhall et al, 2020;Savard & Marchand, 2016). Some of the women we interviewed raised the differences between urban and rural areas in the expression of gender roles and talked about how these differences had made their experiences more complex: She always used to say to me: "Ah, we all know, a girl from the city, she's not like a girl from the country.…”

“…Having to travel a long distance to seek a professional service or to obtain immediate help prevents many women from getting the support that they need (Bourassa & Savoie, 2005). Moreover, in the vast majority of rural areas, lack of public transportation poses a significant obstacle for women trying to escape from violent situations (Clennett-Sirois, 2015; Dekeseredy, 2019; Farhall et al, 2020; Savard & Marchand, 2016). In theory, modern information and communication technology might help improve access to services for women victims of intimate partner violence, but in many rural communities, Internet access and cell phone connectivity are limited (Farhall et al, 2020).…”

“…DeKeseredy et al (2016) found that in rural communities, the high prevalence of male violence against women is associated with the reproduction of male socialization centered on domination and traditional gender roles, which are reinforced by male peer support. 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.…”

“…Our analysis of these responses illustrates the patriarchal social structure of power in these regions, which is perpetuated in the interpersonal, institutional, and representational dimensions and keeps women in precarious, subordinate social positions, while ostracizing or punishing women who try to resist. Keywords violence against women, childhood sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, homelessness, rural areas, feminist studies More and more studies have shown that in non-urban areas, gender socialization centered on traditional roles and conservative values is especially persistent, complicating the life courses of women who experience intimate partner violence (DeKeseredy et al, 2016;Farhall et al, 2020;Savard & Marchand, 2016). In Canada, few studies have been done on violence against women in non-urban areas, but the information that has been gathered on this subject is alarming.…”