Service providers' perspectives: reducing intimate partner violence in rural and northern regions of Canada
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Date
2023
Authors
Letourneau, Nicole
McBride, Dawn
Barton, Sylvia S.
Griggs, Keira
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
Background Intimate partner violence (IPV) persists as a serious challenge, globally, with regions in
Central and Northern Canada reporting the highest rates of shelter use to escape abuse, of sexual assault, and
of IPV in the country. Despite research into IPV, barriers and gaps exist in understanding what an effective
response to IPV in rural and northern communities should look like.
Methods To enhance this understanding, qualitative interviews and focus groups with a total of 55
participants were conducted with service providers, including shelter services, victims services, the Royal
Canadian Mounted Police, counselors, and others (e.g., psychologists). A grounded theory approach was
used to analyze data, with findings illustrated in a schematic that conceptualize the challenges service
providers experience.
Results The findings reveal how an IPV environment, characterized by oppression, abuse, and illness,
requires transformation into an IPV-free environment, characterized by empowerment, positive social
connections, and wellness. As service providers work to influence this transition, they become experts in
understanding the sociocultural context, formal services, and informal supports accessible or not for women
experiencing IPV. Service providers encourage social media use into service delivery to improve
communication; lobby for rural-specific IPV specialists; and recognize isolation as a barrier to seeking out
safe shelter and housing, transportation, and economic assistance.
Conclusion In order to reduce rates of IPV, the results suggest we must support service providers, document
service gaps, and maximize policy change and community action based on IPV as it is experienced in rural and northern regions of Canada
Description
Open access article. Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license (CC BY 4.0) applies
Keywords
Domestic violence , Community/legal intervention , Service providers , Sociocultural context , Diversity , Grounded theory
Citation
Letourneau, N., McBridge, D. L., Barton, S. S., & Griggs, K. (2023). Service providers' perspectives: Reducing intimate partner violence in rural and northern regions of Canada. Canadian Journal of Nursing Research, 55(2), 165-175. https://doi.org/10.1177/08445621221128857