Barriers to Safety Planning and Best Practices for Supporting Survivors of Domestic Violence in Rural, Remote, and Northern Regions

Abstract

Domestic violence (DV) or intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined as physical, emotional, psychological, or sexual harm in an intimate relationship. In extreme cases, it may culminate in domestic homicide which is defined as the killing of an intimate partner, their children or their family members. Intimate partner violence and domestic homicide is prevalent worldwide. Over ninety-nine thousand reports of DV were made to police in Canada in 2018. According to the Canadian Domestic Homicide Prevention Initiative for Vulnerable Populations, some victims may face greater barriers in receiving assistance on a timely basis such as immigrants and refugees, Indigenous people, children exposed to domestic violence, and those residing in rural, remote, and Northern (RRN) regions. This research seeks to understand the barriers to safety planning and best practices for supporting survivors of DV in RRN regions. This study utilized a qualitative thematic analysis of twenty interviews conducted with survivors of DV in RRN regions. Barriers to safety planning included victim-blaming and patriarchal attitudes, geographical barriers, confidentiality concerns, access to firearms and a distrust in systems. Participants made suggestions for those supporting survivors of DV in RRN regions and included meeting survivors where they are at, providing a non-judgmental space, believing, and validating survivors’ experiences, and providing appropriate resources. Implications for practice among service providers in these areas are discussed.