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Abstract
Abstract: This paper explores how different discourses of intimate partner abuse (IPA) may impact women's decisions to stay or leave their partners. More specifically, we ask: 1) what narratives are available to and used by heterosexual and non-heterosexual female survivors of IPA to make sense of their experiences? 2) How might these narratives impact women's ability, or lack thereof, to disengage from their abusive partners? Prior literature suggests that there are four possible discourses on which women may draw including psychological (victim and offender), gendered political, and the narrative of romantic love. Analysis of discussion forums from online social networking sites revealed that while each of these discourses are utilised by women, scripts of romantic love may provide the strongest motivation for accepting and maintaining an abusive relationship. In contrast, understanding the psychological motivations of their abusers may empower female survivors to extricate themselves from the violence.
Highlights
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a problem for women in heterosexual relationships
We identified four key discourses that could be used by women to make sense of their abusive relationships and inform their decision about disengagement from their abusive partners
In the context of the current research, we suggest that the online discussion forums provide a rich source for identifying power relations and discourses relating to IPA
Summary
Intimate partner abuse (IPA) is a problem for women in heterosexual relationships. IPA has negative and long-lasting costs to female survivors including: physical ill health, increased levels of anxiety, depression, fear, feelings of incompetence, eating and sleeping disorders, increased misuse of drugs and alcohol, loss of self esteem, elevated feelings of insecurity, general loss of quality of life and damaged life opportunities (Laing & Bobic, 2002: 2731; Johnson et al, 2008). Despite these negative impacts many women stay with or find it difficult to leave their abusive partners (Anderson, et al, 2003; Patzel, 2006). We ask: 1) what discourses are available to and used by heterosexual and non-heterosexual (which we refer to as lesbian/bisexual/transgender: LBT) female survivors of IPA to make sense of their experiences? 2) How might these discourses impact women’s ability, or lack thereof, to disengage from their male and female
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