Cultural and Social Barriers to Help-Seeking Among Women Domestic Violence Survivors in Kyrgyzstan: A Grounded Theory Study

Background and purpose: Reports from several international organizations have emphasized the scope of gender-based violence in Kyrgyzstan, yet no social work research has attempted to examine the experiences, help-seeking behaviors, and coping mechanisms from the perspective of survivors. To address this gap, in-depth, qualitative interviews were conducted with survivors of violence to investigate the social and cultural determinants of help-seeking, as well as the role of criminal justice, healthcare, and social services in responding to violence in Kyrgyzstan.

Methods: Sixteen in-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with women residing in the local domestic violence shelter. The sample consisted of one ethnic Russian, one Kazakh, and fourteen Kyrgyz women (aged 20-48). 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: Results indicate that cultural traditions and social norms—most notably the social construction of marriage, the shame associated with divorce, and the status of daughters-in-law in Kyrgyz society—are used to justify domestic violence and prevent victims from seeking help. Additional barriers include loyalty toward the husband and his family; concern for the children; lack of knowledge regarding abuse, services, and legal rights; and structural factors such as lack of housing, childcare, employment, and institutional support. In addition, women reported that the legal system and police interventions did not effectively address domestic violence complaints. Survivors indicated that while they received psychological support and temporary housing from shelter or friends, police or public health professionals were not helpful.

Conclusion and Implications: Results suggest that violence against women in Kyrgyzstan can be better understood as a social problem resulting from powerful cultural factors and social norms that sanction violence and legitimize abuse. The proposed theory and results suggest that scholars, policymakers, and social workers must emphasize dispelling myths, misconceptions, and traditional beliefs about gender and marriage in order to break the abusive dynamics and provide professional help.