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

Discussion/Ranking: Which actions are common in this community, in terms of
frequency
Discussion/Ranking: Which actions does the community consider normal in
relationships Which go “too far”
Discussion/Ranking: We have been talking about actions within married or dating
couples. Let’s now discuss these items imagining if they were done by a stranger or
mere acquaintance. Which are common Which are normal and “too far”
Discussion/Ranking: For which actions on this list would a survivor likely seek help
afterward Would a survivor seek help from family members From professionals From
someone else
Output of activity 1: Free list of types of violence, categorized by all of the above topics of
discussion: which are common, which are normal, which are “violent,” how this changes
outside intimate partnerships, and which prompt help-seeking (plus transcripts).
2. Help-seeking options and behaviors (30 minutes)
Activity: Open-ended story and mapping
“Thank you very much for all the information you’ve already shared with us. Your input is
already very helpful. You have said that after experiencing certain actions, a survivor would
be likely to seek help. We’re now going to discuss how the survivor seeks help and where
she can go in your community.”
Steps:
Divide PFG participants into two groups.
Each group receives an open-ended story prompt about “Martha.” For one group, Martha
is a survivor of repeated physical violence by her husband. For the other group, Martha
is a survivor of rape by a non-intimate male acquaintance. (Story prompts have been
adapted from WHO/PATH guidebook on Researching Violence Against Women, page 145,
“Rosita’s story”)
Groups receive question prompts that establish how and where Martha will seek help.
Facilitators guide participants in making a physical map of available services and
Martha’s path through them. Prompts include:
o
o
Where does Martha go to ask for help What do they say to her What will she
decide to do next (repeat through whole path)
If Martha feels very sad, depressed, or scared about the experience, what will
she do Where can she go for help
o If Martha fears that she has serious health consequences, what will she do
Where can she go for help
o What would be different if Martha were age 17 60
Each group presents its map in plenary and the facilitators guide a brief comparative
discussion to elicit the differences in help-seeking between the two types of violence
experienced.
Outputs of activity 2: Hand-drawn maps of the participant’s community including
available services and Martha’s path through them (plus transcripts).
Help-Seeking Pathways and Barriers for Survivors of GBV in Tanzania March 2013
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