title: Factors influencing help-seeking behavior among battered Korean women in intimate relationships.
abstract: In total, 123 battered Korean women who used domestic violence agencies were asked where they had turned for assistance in response to intimate partner violence. This study examined the factors related to use of formal and informal resources by these women. Formal resources included police, medical, legal, and shelter; informal were family or neighbors. Findings revealed that (a) the women studied used a variety of resources and that (b) income, violence-related injuries, and partner child abuse were related to whether they contacted police. Injury and partner child abuse were related to contacting a medical doctor/medical facility. Income, relationship status, and partner child abuse were related to approaching family or neighbors. The key finding was that partner child abuse increased the likelihood of battered Korean women seeking help from formal service resources and informal networks. This suggests the need for integrative services that link women's and children's protective services in order to meet the needs of both victims and children.
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Social Welfare, Yonsei University, 262 Seongsanno, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Republic of South Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Yop
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Ji Hyeon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019548:Crime Victims / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012650:Self Disclosure; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health; D055815:Young Adult