Enabling factors that facilitate recovery among survivors of gender-based violence.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a severe worldwide phenomenon mainly affecting women. Little studies focus on the details of the recovery process that survivors of GBV go through. To identify the enabling factors that facilitate recovery among survivors of GBV. We used the thematic qualitative analysis approach to analyse 20 interviews with the women survivors of GBV. Our study resulted in four factors that survivors used in their recovery process (social connection, self-care, self-understanding and spiritual connection). Recovering from an abusive relationship is a social, spiritual, cultural and psychological process. Current study confirmed the positive impact of our identified enabling factors in the recovery process of GBV survivors. The current study illustrates findings that provide a deeper understanding of the journey to recovery following GBV, which can be helpful when guiding and supporting women who have suffered GBV to start and pursue their journey toward recovery.