Help-Seeking and Barriers of Domestic Violence Survivors in Kyrgyzstan: A Grounded Theory Study

Background and purpose: Several reports of international organizations have emphasized the scope of domestic violence in Kyrgyzstan, yet no study has attempted to examine the meaning of domestic violence from the perspective of the survivors. To address this gap, this study used a qualitative approach to explore the experiences of women survivors in order to better understand what initiatives could make social services, law enforcement, and public health systems more responsive to their needs.

Methods: Sixteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with survivors of violence to explore their experiences, help-seeking and coping, and the role of criminal justice, healthcare, and social services in responding to violence. The sample consisted of one ethnic Russian and fifteen Kyrgyz women (aged 20-48), residing in the local shelter. Interviews were translated from Kyrgyz and Russian languages, transcribed verbatim and coded thematically using NVivo10 qualitative software. The constant comparative method of data collection and analysis was utilized. Concepts and themes related to the survivor’s experiences and coping with domestic violence were identified, linked, and developed into grounded theory.

Findings: Nearly all study participants described experiencing physical and psychological violence resulting in serious injury and negative mental health effects. One of the prominent themes emerged from the data is around cultural expectations and biases that prevent help-seeking, such as normalization of violence and devaluation of women in families using cultural myths that support or encourage abuse by the husband and his family. Several themes arose from the data: 1) social construction around marriage and divorce; 2) status of the daughter-in-law and the role of mother-in-law in the husband’s family; 3) cultural biases as legitimations of violence, e.g., virginity at the time of marriage, bride-kidnapping, and bearing the son. Shame and stigma of divorce, loyalty toward husband and his family, concern for the children, lack of knowledge regarding abuse, services, and legal rights were additional barriers, along with structural factors such as finances, housing, and childcare.

Another important theme was the ineffectuality of the legal system and police interventions to respond to domestic violence complaints. The survivors indicated that while they received the necessary psychological and temporary housing support from the shelter or friends, they did not view police or public health professionals as helpful in domestic violence cases. Nearly all study participants identified alcohol, economic hardship, and unemployment as the main reasons for domestic violence.

Conclusion and Implications: Results from the qualitative analysis indicated that the culture of gender inequality and acceptance of gender violence were primary barriers for help-seeking. The suggested measures include provision of education for raising awareness and promoting beliefs about marital relationships based on gender equality and independent relationship using a variety of approaches and targeting different stakeholders. It is recommended that more efforts are needed to dispel myths, misconceptions and traditional norms and beliefs of the community. There is a need for amending and enforcing the existing laws. Providing professional help and establishing specific guidelines, protocols, and data systems to document cases of violence at all levels is essential.