Citation

Crowe A, Murray CE. Partner Abuse 2015; 6(2): 157-179.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Springer Publishing)

DOI

10.1891/1946-6560.6.2.157

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The authors explored experiences of stigma from professional helpers toward survivors of intimate partner violence in two related studies with a combined sample of 231 participants. Qualitative interview and quantitative survey data were analyzed with content analysis procedures using an a priori coding strategy.

RESULTS suggest that survivors felt stigmatized by mental health professionals, attorneys and judges, health care professionals, law enforcement, professionals in the employment or education systems, parenting-related professionals, as well as friends and family. The most frequently occurring stigma categories were feeling dismissed, denied, and blamed. Participants cited the most common sources of stigma occurred from interactions with professionals in the court system and law enforcement officers. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.