Listening to Survivors' Voices

To understand how providers can address partner abuse more effectively, the authors conducted semistructured interviews with 49 clients of a hospital-based domestic violence (DV) program. Due to the potentially grave consequences survivors face for disclosing abuse, it often took the right combination of circumstances in their lives and/or the presence of an understanding and caring provider for them to disclose. Following disclosure, survivors frequently found referral to the in-house DV program most helpful, along with other emotional and practical support. Findings from this study reveal additional ways in which health care providers can respond more effectively to this pervasive problem.