A Study on the Experiences of Married Immigrant Women Who Participated in Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselor Training

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the specific content and meaning of married immigrant women’s experience of participating in a training course for domestic violence and sexual violence counseling. Methods: The study was conducted by collecting participation records from 24 married immigrant women who completed 100 hours of domestic violence and sexual violence counselor training at a family center in Seoul for three years, applying Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis method. Results: The eleven themes that emerged were derived based on a total of 149 meanings. The higher-level concepts were the themes grouped into five categories: “re-awareness of human rights”, “expanded understanding of self in relationships”, “improved ability to cope with violence”, “prepared as a counselor”, and “experience of a fulfilling happy communication”. Conclusions: We proposed a practical plan to help support family counseling services related to domestic violence through the essence of married immigrant women’s experiences.