Reclaiming strength: Voices of women who survived firearm intimate partner violence
Presentation Type
Abstract
Faculty Advisor
Ashley Ermer
Access Type
Event
Start Date
25-4-2025 12:00 PM
End Date
25-4-2025 1:00 PM
Description
Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) involving firearms is among the most lethal forms of abuse, disproportionately affecting women. Historically, IPV research often framed survivors as "battered women," reinforcing narratives of victimization and weakness. This study challenges such deficit-based perspectives by adopting a feminist, strength-based approach to highlight the resilience and positive self-perceptions of women who have survived near-fatal firearm violence. By amplifying survivor voices, the research seeks to reshape public discourse and advocate for survivor-informed strategies that honor their agency and dignity. Methods: The study utilized qualitative interviews with 29 women who survived firearm-related IPV incidents. Participants were recruited through domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations. To foster rapport, participants were asked to describe themselves in three words, encouraging self-reflection and emotional expression. The interviews explored their experiences of violence, survival strategies, and self-perceptions post-trauma. Data were analyzed thematically using a feminist framework to identify patterns of resilience, empowerment, and positive identity formation. Results: A striking pattern emerged from the interviews: survivors consistently described themselves using positive terms such as "Strong," "Beautiful," "Caring," and "Confident." These descriptors challenge the misconception that IPV survivors internalize negative identities. Instead, they reflect inner fortitude and self-worth despite enduring severe trauma. The findings underscore the transformative power of language and identity in shaping survivor narratives and advocate for abandoning frameworks that pathologize survivors. This study calls for systemic change in IPV research and policy by prioritizing survivor-led solutions that honor their strength while addressing structural drivers of abuse.
Reclaiming strength: Voices of women who survived firearm intimate partner violence
Introduction: Intimate partner violence (IPV) involving firearms is among the most lethal forms of abuse, disproportionately affecting women. Historically, IPV research often framed survivors as "battered women," reinforcing narratives of victimization and weakness. This study challenges such deficit-based perspectives by adopting a feminist, strength-based approach to highlight the resilience and positive self-perceptions of women who have survived near-fatal firearm violence. By amplifying survivor voices, the research seeks to reshape public discourse and advocate for survivor-informed strategies that honor their agency and dignity. Methods: The study utilized qualitative interviews with 29 women who survived firearm-related IPV incidents. Participants were recruited through domestic violence shelters and advocacy organizations. To foster rapport, participants were asked to describe themselves in three words, encouraging self-reflection and emotional expression. The interviews explored their experiences of violence, survival strategies, and self-perceptions post-trauma. Data were analyzed thematically using a feminist framework to identify patterns of resilience, empowerment, and positive identity formation. Results: A striking pattern emerged from the interviews: survivors consistently described themselves using positive terms such as "Strong," "Beautiful," "Caring," and "Confident." These descriptors challenge the misconception that IPV survivors internalize negative identities. Instead, they reflect inner fortitude and self-worth despite enduring severe trauma. The findings underscore the transformative power of language and identity in shaping survivor narratives and advocate for abandoning frameworks that pathologize survivors. This study calls for systemic change in IPV research and policy by prioritizing survivor-led solutions that honor their strength while addressing structural drivers of abuse.
Comments
Poster presentation at the 2025 Student Research Symposium.