Full cooperation : zero violence barriers to help-seeking in gender-based violence against women : a research study

Abstract

BACKGROUND: This research project, carried out by the Department of Gender Studies, Faculty for Social Wellbeing, University of Malta, is part of a national project entitled ‘Full Cooperation Zero Violence’ and is cofunded by the Rights, Equality and Citizenship (REC) Programme of the European Union. The project is being managed by the Human Rights and Integration Directorate within the Ministry for European Affairs and Equality.

RESEARCH PURPOSE: This research attempts to identify and explore the barriers being faced by survivors of gender-based violence against women in Malta and Gozo when seeking help at the various state and voluntary services as seen from their perspective, as well as those faced by professionals when delivering a service to the survivors as seen from the professionals’ perspective.

DEFINITIONS: The two central concepts in this study were ‘Violence against Women’ (VAW) and ‘Gender-Based Violence’ (GBV). The study used, and was informed by, the definitions provided by the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, also referred as the Istanbul Convention. This Convention defines “violence against women” as: ‘a violation of human rights and a form of discrimination against women and shall mean all acts of gender‐based violence that result in, or are likely to result in, physical, sexual, psychological or economic harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life;’ (Article 3a). Moreover, “gender-based violence against women” is defined as: ‘violence that is directed against a woman because she is a woman or that affects women disproportionately’. (Article 3d).

DESIGN: This study adopted a qualitative research design and the data collection strategy used included 16 qualitative interviews and six focus groups with both survivors and professionals. A total of 50 participants took part in the study - 23 survivors and 27 professionals. The interviews and focus groups were audio-recorded and transcribed; the transcripts were subjected to rigorous coding following the Constant Comparative Method. A strict adherence to the principles of research ethics was crucial given that participants included vulnerable persons. The credibility and trustworthiness of the research was ascertained mainly through a respondent validation process, data and observer triangulation and reflexivity.