Supporting Women After Domestic Violence: Loss, Trauma and Recovery

by Abrahams, Hilary

• ISBN13: 9781843104315
• ISBN10: 1843104318
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2007-04-15
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub

Summary

Women who leave an abusive relationship often experience feelings of fear, bewilderment, anger and confusion. The trauma caused by domestic violence leaves a legacy that stays with the survivor, and it is not uncommon for women to experience feelings of loss and grief similar to those following bereavement, but made more complex by the effect that abuse has had on their emotional health and well-being.

Author Biography

Hilary Abrahams is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Violence Against Women Research Group at the University of Bristol.

Table of Contents

Foreword	9	(2)
Introduction	11	(6)
Why Doesn't She Just Leave?	17	(14)
The effects of domestic violence	17	(4)
A framework for understanding	21	(2)
Post traumatic stress disorder	23	(2)
Loss and grief	25	(2)
Loss, trauma and recovery	27	(1)
Summary	28	(1)
Notes	29	(2)
Starting the Journey	31	(14)
Taking the decision	32	(1)
Filling the information gap	32	(2)
Making the break	34	(1)
Arriving at the refuge	34	(2)
Assessing support needs	36	(1)
First steps	37	(2)
Safety	39	(1)
Reactions	40	(2)
Summary	42	(1)
Notes	43	(2)
Exploring the Route	45	(14)
Loss	45	(2)
Anger	47	(1)
Oscillating emotions	48	(1)
Safety, trust and empowerment	49	(2)
Changing needs	51	(2)
Advocacy	53	(2)
Mutual support	55	(1)
Summary	56	(2)
Notes	58	(1)
Someone to Talk to, Someone to Listen	59	(15)
Mutual support	60	(1)
Worker support	61	(2)
Someone to listen	63	(1)
Counselling	63	(3)
Therapeutic group work	66	(1)
Life skills and activities	67	(2)
Being a family	69	(1)
Summary	70	(2)
Notes	72	(2)
Living Together	74	(15)
Daily life	74	(3)
Conflict	77	(3)
Participation	80	(3)
Other experiences of refuge life	83	(1)
How it could be	84	(2)
Summary	86	(2)
Notes	88	(1)
Moving Out, Moving On	89	(15)
Problems of rehousing	90	(2)
Fears and hopes	92	(1)
Support after rehousing	93	(3)
Keeping in touch	96	(1)
Beginning a new life	97	(2)
Realignment	99	(2)
Summary	101	(1)
Notes	102	(2)
The Best Things Were. . .	104	(14)
Safety	104	(2)
Respect	106	(1)
A non-judgemental attitude, being believed	107	(2)
Mutual help and support from other residents	109	(1)
Time to talk and be heard	110	(2)
Attitude and approach of the workers	112	(2)
Rebuilding the capacity to cope	114	(1)
Summary	115	(2)
Notes	117	(1)
Putting the Pieces (Back) Together	118	(11)
Loss, transition and recovery	119	(1)
The extra burden	120	(1)
How these concepts affect support giving	121	(2)
A way of understanding	123	(1)
One size will never fit all	124	(1)
Wider implications	125	(1)
Conclusions	126	(1)
Summary	127	(1)
Notes	128	(1)
Postscript	129	(2)
Appendix 1: Women's Aid Federation of England	131	(2)
Appendix 2: The Research Project	133	(9)
Appendix 3: Precis of Topic Guide for Interviews with Past and Present Service Users	142	(3)
Appendix 4: Resource Materials	145	(3)
References	148	(5)
Subject Index	153	(3)
Author Index	156