Barriers to Help-Seeking From Intimate Partner Violence Among Bhutanese Women

Intimate partner violence (IPV) silently pervades Bhutanese women's lives and is closely linked to the country's unique collectivist societal structure. There is a dearth of empirical research identifying and addressing barriers to help-seeking for women who experience IPV in Bhutan. This study sought to gain an in-depth understanding of the factors that influence and prevent Bhutanese women in IPV relationships from seeking help. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 Bhutanese women experiencing IPV and accessing counseling at Respect, Educate, Nurture, and Empower Women (RENEW). RENEW is a nonprofit organization that provides support services to women affected by IPV. Qualitative data analysis revealed five themes that represent barriers to seeking help for IPV experienced by Bhutanese women. These themes are (1) Perceived stigma: I don't want to bring a bad name . . . what will they think of me?', (2) Children's well-being: I need to think of my child's school, food, clothes, (3) Limited understanding of IPV: He did not cause any physical harm . . . . there was no beating, (4) Limited knowledge of support sources: 'I was not sure whether they would entertain my issue or not, and (5) Lack of support: They didn't do anything to stop him. This study reveals novel insights about the importance of IPV knowledge among Bhutanese women and supportive responses from different sources such as informal and formal networks to facilitate women's help-seeking behaviors. It provides evidence for relevant stakeholders and service sectors to develop programs and policies appropriate and responsive to the needs of Bhutanese women experiencing IPV.