The Picture of Texas

Survivors of family violence have many reasons to not seek help. For some participants, their reasoning for not seeking services was a feeling that they were equipped and capable of dealing with the challenges and risks of navigating their relationship on their own. Others report experiencing shame or feeling stigma related to facing intimate partner violence and wanting to keep experiences quiet to protect themselves and their partner/family from negative social, emotional, immigration/status, or economic consequences¹. A number of participants shared that they simply did not know that services existed in the community, or how they would go about accessing them if they wanted to.

If and when a survivor finally did reach out, the initial response often indicated whether or not the survivor would participate in services. A number of survivors shared that difficult interactions with representatives from law enforcement made them less likely to seek formal supports for fear of potential ramifications. Others talked of their frustration that services were not readily offered after they took the risk of disclosing experiences of abuse to a service provider.

Survivors have a range of places they turn to address their experiences of abuse. This included family, friends and other systems – particularly law enforcement, CPS and health care providers. It was noted that survivors who had more social support in the form of family and friends to turn to when they needed assistance were less likely to access services from a family violence program.

¹ Fry, P., (2001). The Unique Contribution of Key Existential Factors to the Prediction of Psychological Well-Being of Older Adults Following Spouse Loss. The Gerontologist, 41, 68-81.

One thing that was clear when speaking to survivors who have never accessed services from a family violence program was that many did not know programs and services existed or were unsure where or how they would be able to contact them to inquire about assistance. Programs should focus on outreach, internet presence, and system collaboration to ensure survivors are aware of the different ways they may be able to access family violence program services. Focusing on specific outreach efforts to communities that have not traditionally reached out for services would be beneficial for those survivors to understand the available services.

Family violence programs can also expand the traditional methods of services by providing more mobile advocacy and technology related access points. Being available to provide services outside of the brick-and-mortar family violence program location and through text/chat/social media will expand the reach of the family violence programs and open the door to survivors who may not be interested in traveling or receiving services face-to-face. Finally, being clear that the family violence program will provide services to any survivor who has experienced any form of family violence will be important for survivors who do not feel as though they qualify for services.