Philippine E-Journals

Life after the Storm: Voices of Women-Survivors of Domestic Violence

Victoria P. Padilla

Discipline: Social Science

 

Abstract:

Life is certainly not a fairytale and in this kind of situation, “happily ever after” is not very common. These are the stories of five women-survivors of domestic violence who dreamed of having a happy family, but in the end, their dreams contradicted reality. This interpretivist qualitative study was designed to look into a deeper understanding of collective accounts of women-survivors of domestic violence. The narrative inquiry was employed using the in-depth interview method. The study revealed that these women experienced various forms of domestic violence and were caused by men’s bad habits, problems arising from the family, and jealousy of a man or a woman. Several strategies were employed by these women to improve their lives. This tough decision to free themselves from the abuse made them better individuals, developed a stronger bond with their children, and increased faith in God.