Seeking help: An exploration of the experiences of women survivors of intimate partner violence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Intimate partner violence is a pervasive violation of women's human rights worldwide. Women employ various strategies in response to intimate partner violence, including seeking assistance from informal or formal sources. Using a qualitative research approach, this article aims to explore the characteristics of these help-seeking sources and investigate the motivating and inhibiting factors that influence survivors' help-seeking behaviour in Addis Ababa City Administration. While the choice of assistance sources varies and is often shaped by different factors, the research findings indicate that, for diverse reasons, survivors tend to prefer seeking help from informal sources. The research reveals that survivors in the study area turn to formal institutions primarily when confronted with factors such as the batterer's unwillingness to change, sustaining severe physical injuries, fear for their lives and the safety of their children, and when they are emotional or desire retribution. On the other hand, the reluctance to seek assistance from formal institutions is associated with psychological, economic, cultural, social and institutional factors. Drawing upon these findings, the research proposes recommendations to enhance both formal and informal assistance for survivors of intimate partner violence against women.