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Data collection was mainly through extensiveinterviews with 20 mostly low-income JamaicanWARs. These interviews provided data to helpidentify factors from various sources (e.g. theabused woman herself, the couple, the woman’simmediate surroundings and the wider Jamaicansociety) that affect the help-seeking process.Analysis of the data led to the development of atheory of the help-seeking process, which wassubsequently assessed with data garnered throughinterviews with eight other low-income WARs.One main finding from the study was identifyingparticipants’ motives for help-seeking, namely,severity of the abuse and feelings of frustrationassociated with the abuse and or the abuser.Overall, severe abuse prompted women to seekhelp, but over time, feelings of frustration becamethe dominant motivator. In addition, as timepassed and feelings of frustration increased, WARssought help from a wider range of sources andincreased their intentions to end the relationship.Recognising these motives and their relationshipto time can help organisations as they determinestrategies for providing assistance to WARs.Other key findings directly concern the Jamaicancontext. First, frequent exposure to communityviolence sensitizes physically abused WARs toseek help. Second, within some communitiesthere is an expectation of IPV that negativelyaffected participants’ decisions to seek help, aswell as the response of those from whom help wassought. Many participants experienced dismissalof their cries for help from those persons whosaw the abuse as a normal occurrence in intimaterelationships. Some WARs also delayed their helpseekingefforts as they either accepted the abuseas natural and/or expected potential helpers to beunsupportive. This information indicates otherissues that should be considered when planninghow to challenge IPV.The data showed that informal systems - namely,family and friends - are the persons most oftenturned to for help, with the police the mostfrequently contacted formal system. Participantsconsulted various other types of helpers such asmedical professionals, co-workers, pastors, thecourt system, counselling organisations such asWoman Inc. and the Victim Support Programme,and neighbours. Among formal services,counselling organizations most consistentlyreceived positive ratings, while participantsrated the criminal justice system poorly for theinconsistent quality of its services.The wide range of helpers appealed to by participants suggests a need toprovide education to the public in general about IPV, so our society does notcontinue to contribute to the occurrence of abuse. In addition, more trainingshould be given to formal service providers on how to respond to WARs.Finally, natural informal supports exist in low-income communities, whereinresidents will offer help without WARs asking. This phenomenon, whichappears to be a by-product of the Jamaican context, suggests an existingcustom that researchers and practitioners should investigate further, as itmay be a viable means for providing support to those in need.Gillian Mason studied Community Psychology and Prevention Research atthe University of Illinois in Chicago.gillian.mason@uwimona.edu.jm84 85