Female Survivors of Violence and Abuse

Abstract

Two hundred and eighty-six female survivors of violence and abuse were surveyed about their major regrets of action and inaction following the experience of violence. Two factor analyses, with varimax rotation, were conducted on the questionnaire data to identify recurrent themes underlying survivors' regrets. The factor analysis of regrettable actions yielded three factors centering on themes of isolation and alienation. Factor analyses of regrets about inaction, or failure to act, yielded four factors centering on themes of insufficient action for self-care and self-protection, and reluctance to seek a change of venue and identity. These factors accounted for a significant percentage of the total variance. Qualitative data derived from 32 in-depth interviews provided further confirmation of the presence of these same themes. As hypothesized, the number of regrets of inaction far exceeded those of action. Implications of the findings are discussed with respect to the changing role of professionals working with women's experience of violence.