Rural Women and Violence

VI. APPENDICES

APPENDIX A:

THE VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN RELATIONSHIPS POLICY

From the BC Ministry of Attorney General, Violence against Women and Children Initiative Website.


APPENDIX B:

SURVIVOR INTERVIEW QUESTIONS(12)

INTRODUCTION TO THE TOPIC

As you know, we are talking to women in rural areas and small towns who have been out of an abusive situation for a year or more. I want to hear your story, how you survived abuse and what enabled you to find safety for yourself (and your children). Maybe you'd like to start by telling me about where you are at today. We are going to be going through a number of questions and topics, I want to give you the opportunity to suggest any areas that you want to cover.

Questions and Topic Areas

Living with Abuse

  1. When did you first realize that your husband/boyfriend was abusing you?
  2. When did recognize it as "abuse"?
  3. Who did you first tell about the abuse?
  4. What kinds of decisions did you have to make about staying or leaving?
  5. What were some of the little things you were able to do that moved you closer to finding safety?
  6. Who helped you?
  7. What was helpful and what was not helpful?
  8. Did you ever feel isolated? Can you explain what made you feel that way?

Children

  1. What kinds of concerns did/do you have about your children?
  2. How did these concerns affect your decisions about staying or leaving?

Financial Issues

  1. Were there financial reasons for staying?
  2. Did you need information about finances? Where? Who?
  3. How did you overcome the financial problems?
  4. How do you survive economically?

Community Responses

  1. Did you ever try to tell or hint to someone prominent in the community (e.g. councillors, doctor, elder, minister, priest, rabbi, business leader), that your husband (or boyfriend) was abusing you? What was their response?
  2. How are abused women seen in your community?
  3. Do you have any suggestions for improving community responses and attitudes?
  4. Is there something about living in this community that helped or hindered you?

Health and Social Services

  1. Were you able to access any health or social services to help you?
  2. Were you confident that they could help you?
  3. What made these services helpful?
  4. Were there any services that were either not helpful or that made things worse for you, by making it more difficult or more dangerous to leave? (Health or social services).
  5. How did you learn about what services might be able to help you?
  6. How would you change the system to better respond to the needs of abused women in your area?
  7. If there was one thing you could change, what would it be?
  8. Did you experience any barriers in accessing these services? (cultural, economic, etc.)

Criminal Justice System

  1. Were the police ever called to intervene? Who called them?
  2. What happened when they came?
  3. Were they helpful and did they get involved?
  4. Did anyone from "victims' services" try to contact you? What happened? Were you aware that "victims' services" existed?
  5. Did you ever try to get legal information, or hire a lawyer?
  6. Were you aware of legal aid? Did you try and access legal aid?
  7. What would you do if you wanted to hire a lawyer? (Or get legal advice)?
  8. Did you have to go to court? How were you treated?
  9. Did you have to get a restraining order or peace bond?
  10. Are you confident that your local police can help women who are being abused?
  11. Are you confident that the courts can protect women from abusive partners?
  12. How would you change the system to better respond to the needs of abused women in your area?
  13. If there was one thing you could change, what would it be?
  14. Were there any barriers to your receiving adequate service from different parts of the justice system? (cultural, economic, social, etc.)

"Rurality"

  1. What is different about living in a rural area (or small town), compared to a city, when a woman is living with abuse?
  2. In a rural area, what can help a woman living with violence?
  3. In a rural area, are there things that can make a situation for a woman living with violence even worse?
  4. And what might help her in terms of dealing with the abuse?
  5. Did you have to go outside the community to get help?

Isolation

  1. Did you ever feel isolated?
  2. In what sense - geographic, social, psychological?
  3. How did it impact on your decision to stay or leave the relationship?

Other Issues

  1. Is there any safe way for women living with violence to communicate about what is happening to them? Are there safe places to communicate about violence?
  2. What advice would you share with other women who are experiencing some of the same things you went through?
  3. Do you have means of transportation now? Did you have access to transportation at the time you experienced the abuse?
  4. During the periods of abuse, were attempts made to limit your ability to contact others?
  5. Are there any factors specific to small towns and rural communities that impact on woman abuse? (e.g. geographical location, isolation, economic conditions, access to services, lack of anonymity, rural ethic of self-sufficiency, systemic barriers, etc.).
  6. Is there anything else we haven't discussed that should be raised? [Interviewer to ensure that the areas identified in the introduction by the interviewee are covered].

Demographic Information

Which of these age groups applies to you?
18 - 25,
26 - 40,
41 - 55,
56 or older

How far were you located from the nearest centre or service when you were in the abusive relationship?

APPENDIX C:

KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

  1. Has the level of violence against women/woman abuse increased/decreased or remained stable in your community? (If it has increased/decreased - why?) What is this based on: personal observations, own research, newspaper coverage?
  2. How does living in a small town or a rural community impacts on women who are living in abusive relationships? Anything specific? Any particular reason why?
  3. What factors (events, conditions, circumstances) do you think lead to woman abuse? Rural woman abuse?
  4. Are there any particular kinds of abuse that women in your community are more vulnerable to? Why?
  5. What could/would help women who are trying to leave abusive relationships? Where should a woman not go if she is seeking safety, sanctuary, services?
  6. What barriers do women who are in abusive relationships face in your community? Are there services available for women with different cultural backgrounds?
  7. Do women in abusive relationships experience isolation? Can you define or explain the kind of isolation they might experience? Are there any specific factors that contribute to this isolation?
  8. What experiences with women who are attempting to leave abusive relationships have you had? Without identifying the women, can you tell us about their/these experiences?
  9. What kinds of services can women survivors in your community access? What services are you aware of?
  10. In your opinion, are existing services adequate and efficient? What services would you like to see? What can improve these services?
  11. Do you have any recommendations that we could communicate regarding the prevention and intervention strategies that smaller communities can use to better assist women?

APPENDIX D:

FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS FOR COMMUNITY RESIDENTS & LEADERS

Woman abuse means different things in different places. What does it mean here in your community?

  1. What does "abuse" mean? What kinds of abuse exist?
  2. Is woman abuse talked about openly in this community?
  3. How do people learn about woman abuse?

Has woman abuse increased/decreased or remained the same in your community?

  1. Can you provide some reasons as to why this may have occurred? (E.g. economic, social fabric, socialization, etc.)

Why does woman abuse happen in this community?

  1. What are some of the factors that contribute to woman abuse?
  2. Have you heard of situations where people thought woman abuse was acceptable? Tell us about them.

What makes it hard for a woman to tell someone that she is being abused?

  1. If a friend or family member were being abused here, to whom do you think she might talk?
  2. What are some of the factors that might make it difficult for a woman to ask for help?
  3. Where is a safe place to go for help in this community? (for safety, sanction, support, services, etc.)
  4. What kinds of services are available to women living in or leaving abusive relationships in your community? (social services, criminal justice services, etc.) What kinds of legal services are available? Social services? Medical services?

If you were the one she talked to, what suggestions might you give her?

  1. What would prevent a friend or neighbour from leaving her situation?
  2. In this community, why would a woman choose to stay in an abusive relationship?
  3. Are there specific services that you would recommend to a woman in an abusive relationship?

How might the community best prevent and respond to woman abuse?

  1. Can you think of examples of community leadership that resulted in action against woman abuse?
  2. Involved all the people and groups in the community?
  3. Are residents aware that woman abuse occurs in families within the community?
  4. Are there any factors specific to living in a rural setting that could help us prevent and respond to woman abuse?
  5. What is the one thing that the community could do now to help prevent woman abuse?
  6. What is the one thing that the community could do to respond to woman abuse, or in other words, to help woman who are being abused now?

Are there factors specific to small towns and rural communities that impact on woman abuse? (E.g. geographic location, isolation, economic conditions, access to services, lack of anonymity, rural ethic of self-sufficiency, systemic barriers, etc.) Can you tell us how these impact on woman in abusive relationships?

  1. What do you think is different about living in a rural area (or small town), compared to a city, when a woman is living with abuse?
  2. In a rural area, what can help a woman living with violence?
  3. In a rural area, are there things that can make a situation for a woman living with violence even worse?
  4. And what might help her in terms of dealing with the abuse?

How would you define isolation? Do women who are in abusive relationships experience isolation in your community? Can you describe what factors would contribute to the sense of isolation?

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

Thank the focus group members for their participation.

After the focus group is finished, take some time to record on the focus group tape or on a separate tape your own reflections and impressions of the session. Be sure to identify yourself, and to highlight any major themes you think should be included in the analysis.

APPENDIX E:

FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS FOR SERVICE PROVIDERS

Woman abuse means different things in different places. What does it mean here in your community?

  1. What does "abuse" mean?
  2. Is woman abuse talked about openly in this community?
  3. How do people learn about woman abuse?
(If someone raises the issue of male abuse, reinforce that violence of any kind is unacceptable; thank them for raising this point; remind them that for the purpose of this project you will be discussing woman abuse and that the nature and extent of male abuse should be a separate research project.)

Has woman abuse increased/decreased or remained the same in your community?

  1. Can you provide some reasons as to why this may have occurred?

Why does woman abuse happen?

  1. What are some of the elements that contribute to woman abuse?
  2. Have you heard of situations where people denied that woman abuse existed in their communities?
  3. Have you heard of situations where people believe that woman abuse is acceptable? Tell us about them?

What makes it hard for a woman to tell someone that she is being abused?

  1. What are the factors that might make it difficult for a woman to seek help?
  2. Are there safe places for women seeking help in this community? (for help, sanctuary, sanctions, services - criminal justice system?).
  3. Where should one not go to seek help?
  4. What if she has children? Where does she go? Are there services available?
  5. Are the various social services in the community able to respond to woman abuse?
    * The health care system?
    * Social services?
    * The criminal justice system? (including police, courts, victims services). Can you expand on this as this study is supported by the federal Department of Justice.
    * The education system?
  6. Are there services available for women with different cultural backgrounds? (Anything specific pertaining to the criminal justice system?)
  7. What are the financial/economic issues associated with finding safety for these women?
  8. Does transportation play a role?

Can you define isolation in terms of how it impacts on women who are in or leaving abusive relationships?

  1. In what ways are women isolated?
  2. How does the isolation influence their decision to leave or stay in the relationship?
  3. What specific aspects of rural life contribute to the isolation experienced by women who are in abusive relationships?

If she contacted your agency/service, what suggestions might you give her?

  1. Why would a woman choose to stay in an abusive relationship?
  2. Are there any ongoing resources or support services available?
  3. What services do women want/need? (e.g., legal, social, financial, etc.)
  4. Which services are least likely to be used? Why?

How might the community best prevent and respond to woman abuse?

  1. Are residents aware that woman abuse occurs in families within the community?
  2. Are there any factors specific to living in a rural setting that could help us prevent and respond to woman abuse?
  3. What is the one thing that the community could do now to help prevent woman abuse?
  4. What is the one thing that the community could do to respond to woman abuse, or in other words, to help woman who are being abused now?

Are there factors specific to small towns and rural communities that impact on woman abuse? (E.g., geographic location, isolation, economic conditions, access to services, lack of anonymity, rural ethic of self-sufficiency, systemic barriers, etc.) Can you tell us how these impact on woman in abusive relationships?

  1. What do you think is different about living in a rural area (or small town), compared to a city, when a woman is living with abuse?
  2. In a rural area, what can help a woman living with violence?
  3. In a rural area, are there things that can make a situation for a woman living with violence even worse?
  4. And what might help her in terms of dealing with the abuse?

Is there anything else that you would like to share?

Thank the focus group members for their participation.

After the focus group is finished, take some time to record on the focus group tape or on a separate tape your own reflections and impressions of this session. Be sure to identify yourself and to highlight any major themes you think should be included in the analysis.

APPENDIX F:

INTERVIEW GUIDE(13)

STEP 1: Getting comfortable

Make sure you have tissues handy before the interview.

You have both arrived for the interview, which you are holding in a location where the woman feels comfortable. Before you begin the interview, be sure to take time to:

Important: If you sense that the woman is uneasy, or if you get the impression that this is not a good day to do the interview, be sure to ask the woman if it would be better to get together another time. If she says yes, reschedule the interview for another day.

Step 2: Reviewing the background information

Go over the project description, including the fact that:


Step 3: Going over the consent form

Step 4: Confirming the status of the woman's situation - making sure that:

Answer any questions or concerns about the study that the woman may have.

Step 5: Wrapping up the interview

Thank the woman for her participation. Ask her if she wants to see the typed text and make changes.

Right after you leave, take some time to record on the interview tape or on a separate tape, your own reflections and impressions of the interview. For example, you may want to note:

These reflections will be helpful when we look at the information as a whole and conduct our analysis.

Finally, be sure to remove the tape from the cassette recorder. Be sure to label all the tapes you used for the interview right away with the following information:

  1. your name;
  2. the date and time;
  3. the interviewee number.



APPENDIX G:

A GUIDE FOR ORGANIZING AND FACILITATING FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS(14)

Step 1: Finding your location


Step 2: Advance preparation


Step 3: Setting up the recording equipment


Step 4: Controlling your time


Step 5: Getting comfortable

Note: A good moderator moves the flow of conversation around the group. Try not to give your own opinions during the session. Rather, your challenge is to get other people to speak.

Step 6: Starting the focus group

Introduce yourself. Thank everyone for coming out.

Go over the project description including the facts that:


Explain the confidentiality provisions, including that:

Go over the consent form, being sure to:

Do a round table, asking first names and general information about the participants, such as the agency or service they work for or their position in the community.

The following ground rules for discussion should be posted on a piece of flip-chart paper. Reiterate these to the group:

Ask participants if there are other ground rules they would like to add. Make sure everyone is comfortable with newly proposed ground rules. These may, for example, address smoking, confidentiality, etc.

Step 7: Asking the questions

In this section, we have listed 7 main questions we would like you to cover during the focus group. These main questions will guide the focus group. You may want to have each of the main questions written out on a separate sheet of flipchart paper. Participants can then see the questions easily and one at a time.

We have also listed a number of sub-questions that relate to each main question. Use the sub-questions fi the discussion does not touch on them, if you need questions to keep the discussion going, or if you need to refocus the discussion. Try to keep the group focussed on their own community.

You may want to experiment with the "sticky post-it" exercise, especially for the last question. To use this exercise:

Endnotes:

12. These questions are based on the Ontario Rural Woman Abuse Study.

13. Based on the "Guide for Interviews with Survivors of Woman Abuse," Ontario Rural Woman Abuse Study.

14. From the Ontario Rural Woman Abuse Study, "Guide for Organizing and Facilitating Focus Group Discussions."

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