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Stories of Resistance and Healing in the Process of Leaving Abusive Relationships
Kierrynn Davis
Senior Lecturer, School of Nursing and Health Care Practices, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW
Bev Taylor
School of Nursing and Health Care Practices, Southern Cross University, Lismore NSW
Abstract
This article examines the unexpected outcomes of a research project that explored the informal support needs of women leaving abusive relationships. The women not only identified informal supports, they also appreciated the time the research offered them to talk about the violent situations, as well as their healing journeys of leaving relationships to sustain their lives without violence.
The women's healing journeys were complex and unstable and the feminist approach used in this research empowered participants to acknowledge their abuse, resist the effects of that abuse, and begin their journeys of recovery. The implications of the findings for best nursing practice and models of service delivery are provided.
Keywords
domestic violence, intimate partner abuse, violence and social support, empowerment, healing
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