Help-Seeking Among Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in Thailand: A Qualitative Research Study.
Outcomes: Gender‑Based Violence
View SourceKey Social Norms Take-aways Cultural norms emphasizing family privacy and honor, collectivism, and traditional gender roles can discourage Thai women experiencing intimate partner violence from disclosing abuse or seeking support. Fear of stigma, blame, and damage to family reputation reinforces silence, while supportive family and friends can facilitate help-seeking. The authors emphasize addressing these social and cultural barriers while strengthening informal support networks.
Objectives To explore help-seeking behaviors among women experiencing intimate partner violence in Thailand, including barriers and facilitators to seeking formal and informal support.
Methods This qualitative descriptive study included 27 Thai women aged 18 years or older who had experienced intimate partner violence within the previous six months. Participants were purposively recruited and completed 60- to 90-minute semi-structured telephone interviews between February and May 2023. Interviews explored experiences of violence, help-seeking decisions, responses from family, friends, and providers, and desired resources. Data were analyzed through iterative content analysis. Social norms were explored qualitatively through participants’ accounts of family privacy and honor, traditional gender expectations, stigma, blame, and expectations surrounding disclosure and help-seeking; no quantitative social norms measure was used.
Results Although women recognized that informal and formal sources could provide support, many viewed intimate partner violence as a private family matter and feared judgment, blame, stigma, and pressure to leave their relationships. Normalization of emotional abuse, concerns about children, maintaining family stability, and limited awareness of resources also delayed help-seeking. Conversely, supportive family and friends helped women make decisions, prioritize their health, plan for safety, and access formal services. Participants recommended educating survivors and their social networks about intimate partner violence and available resources and using technology to improve access to support.
Conclusions Help-seeking is shaped by cultural norms, stigma, awareness of services, violence severity, and social support. Culturally sensitive approaches should reduce stigma, improve awareness of formal resources, educate family and friends to respond supportively, and strengthen survivors’ safety and empowerment.
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