Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for ... - EngenderHealth

1. Typical Patterns of Help-Seeking
Study findings are consistent with TDHS data that indicate the low prevalence of helpseeking
among survivors of GBV in Tanzania. While the reasons for the gap are varied
(Barriers to Help-Seeking are discussed in detail in Part III Section D below), the following
quotation reflects the extent and cultural relevance of the issue:
You know, what kills the society is the issue of secrecy. An individual can be abused yet
keeps silent, can be beaten yet keeps silent, can be harassed yet keeps silent…To a
woman who is married…a real wife has to keep quiet…others are afraid that, “If I speak,
how will people see me, how will the society see me” You know the problem is, and I
would like to share it with you, the problem is that there is a concept of shame upon the
victim, and not shame upon the perpetrator. There is a need of changing the society.
Service provider, Mbeya
Pathways begin with the family
Given the context of infrequent help-seeking, it is not surprising that across the PFG maps
the initial step is almost always an informal source of support, most often the family or
another member of the survivor’s close social network. A map created by a women’s PFG in
Iringa is consistent with the common pathway presented by many of the groups (see
Figure 2 below). The survivor of domestic violence, named Jua for the exercise, initially
goes to her parents where she is sent back to her in-laws, and subsequently to a family
meeting. When the violence continues, Jua tires of this routine and goes to the police. From
the police, she may be sent back to the family for another attempt at reconciliation, or, “if
she is hurt,” Jua may go to the hospital. The map depicts a loop between the hospital and
the police to signify that she may need to navigate between these two channels in order to
obtain, complete, and finally submit a PF3. From there, the pathway suggests that Jua can
again return home, or perhaps seek help from a local FBO. Annotations on the diagram
explain that the FBO is where the husband “admits he is wrong” and Jua “forgives him.”
Despite the different options depicted on the map, the family is dominant and all routes
eventually lead back to the marital home.
Notably the map does not show a court of law, or present divorce as an option for Jua.
When included, courts are consistently presented as a final pathway, when all other options
have been exhausted and the survivor has persevered against significant obstacles.
Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for Survivors of GBV in Tanzania March 2013
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