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Factors Related to Willingness to Help Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

NCJ Number
237585
Journal
Journal of Interpersonal Violence Volume: 23 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2008 Pages: 1713-1729
Author(s)
Marisa L. Beeble; Lori A. Post; Deborah Bybee; Cris M. Sullivan
Date Published
December 2008
Length
17 pages
Annotation
This study explored the type of support provided to survivors and various factors that relate to individuals' willingness to help.
Abstract
Although researchers have found that survivors of intimate partner violence seek support from a multitude of sources, ranging from professionals to informal support networks, little is known about the extent to which community members reach out to help survivors. This study explored the type of support provided to survivors and various factors that relate to individuals' willingness to help. Survivors were more likely to be helped by women, younger individuals, those who strongly endorsed criminal justice interventions for perpetrators, and those who perceived intimate partner violence as a frequently occurring issue in their communities. Two additional factors were found to relate to an individual's likelihood of assisting others, including witnessing intimate partner violence as a child and prior victimization. Further research is needed in this area to explore helper, survivor, and contextual characteristics that may affect one's likelihood to offer assistance to survivors. (Published Abstract)