title: Women's Decisions to Not Seek Formal Help for Partner Violence: A Comparison of Intimate Terrorism and Situational Couple Violence.
abstract: This study examined the help-seeking decisions of low-income women (n = 389) in two types of physically violent heterosexual relationships-intimate terrorism (i.e., physical violence used within a general pattern of coercive control) and situationally violent (i.e., physical violence that is not part of a general pattern of coercive control). Intimate terrorism victims were significantly more likely than situational couple violence victims to cite fear as a reason for not seeking help from the police, medical centers, and counselors/agencies. In contrast, situational couple violence victims more often said that they did not need help. Regression analyses also indicate that additional violence-related factors predict women's help-seeking. Findings emphasize the importance of distinguishing between types of male partner violence and recognizing women's exertions of personal choice and perceptions of dangerousness when examining their decisions about seeking help from service providers.
authors.affiliation: The Sage Colleges, Albany, NY, USA leonej@sage.edu.
authors.forename: Janel M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Leone
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Megan E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lape
authors.affiliation: Syracuse University, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Yili
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018585:Battered Women / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011203:Poverty; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: coercive control; criminal justice system; formal help-seeking decisions; male partner violence; minority women