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Exploring Influencing Factors on Help-Seeking Behaviors for Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from Ethnic Women Survivors in Myanmar

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  • Aye Myat Myat Win

    (Virtual Summer Research Program, Center for Research, Policy and Innovation, Burmese American Community Institute, Indianapolis, IN 46227, USA)

Abstract

Although the help-seeking behaviors of intimate partner violence survivors have been imperative, less evidence has been shown on ethnic women’s help-seeking behaviors. As such, this study aims to explore women survivors’ help-seeking behaviors in Kachin State, an ethnic area of Myanmar with an online in-depth interview approach. Twelve women survivors who were recruited by social workers, camp leaders, and volunteers participated in the study. Findings were analyzed by using the intimate partner violence help-seeking theory. In contrast to the extant literature, this study found an equal number of women survivors reached out to both formal and informal sources. Their help-seeking behaviors were influenced by their violence perception, cultural norms, lack of information on support services availability, the violence severity, and social support. Exposure to parental violence and women’s unique personal attributes had a negative impact on their decision to seek formal help. Results underscored the importance of sociocultural norms in an ethnic patriarchal society. As such, addressing deep-rooted patriarchal sociocultural norms, effective awareness raising, women’s empowerment, establishment of anti-domestic violence law, and multi-sectoral collaboration with men’s engagement and inclusion of cultural and religious leaders are urgently needed in ethnic communities to enhance formal help-seeking.

Suggested Citation

  • Aye Myat Myat Win, 2025. "Exploring Influencing Factors on Help-Seeking Behaviors for Intimate Partner Violence: Insights from Ethnic Women Survivors in Myanmar," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:6:p:899-:d:1672619
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Leah Emily James & Courtney Welton-Mitchell & Saja Michael & Fajar Santoadi & Sharifah Shakirah & Hasnah Hussin & Mohammed Anwar & Lama Kilzar & Alexander James, 2021. "Development and Testing of a Community-Based Intervention to Address Intimate Partner Violence among Rohingya and Syrian Refugees: A Social Norms-Based Mental Health-Integrated Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-25, November.
    2. Marjoke Oosterom & Ja Htoi Pan Maran & Sarah Wilson, 2019. "‘Building Kachin’: Youth and Everyday Action in one of Myanmar's Ethnic States," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 50(6), pages 1717-1741, November.
    3. Muluken Dessalegn Muluneh & Virginia Stulz & Lyn Francis & Kingsley Agho, 2020. "Gender Based Violence against Women in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Cross-Sectional Studies," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-21, February.
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