In order to meet these objectives, the researcher conducted an extensive qualitative study that involved a scoping review of the literature on IPV among ethnic and minority groups (that yielded one scientific article currently in final stages of preparation). Further, the researcher conducted two phases of data collection that yielded a broad data set (the analysis yielded findings addressed in four manuscripts that soon will be submitted to refereed scientific journals).
The efforts made by the researcher to target participants for in-depth interviews support previous statements about the hardship of targeting informants from the Ultraorthodox community for research purposes. Data collection was held between March- 2020 to April 2021, beyond the time expected. Women associated with this community that are dealing with IPV, usually do not expose their family stories to strangers and practitioners. When they do seek help, they do not refer to governmental and/or social services (mainly due to the fear of exposing family problems to outsiders).
In order to achieve the research objectives, the researcher made extended efforts to build connections with some of the Jewish community leaders from MTL and its suburbs, to build trust and present the importance of the project in promoting the well-being of women and families within the community. During the outgoing phase in MTL she had been involved in social activities for women and families, participated in holiday activities, and took part as a volunteer in the community welfare organization. These joining activities allowed her to get involved in the community and build trust, otherwise, it could have been relatively difficult to achieve cooperation, and target women to participate in in-depth interviews and focused groups.
Main conclusions of the action: (1) The Canadian women shared unique perspectives about seeking help in response to IPV in their intimate relationships. In general, all of them did not approach social services, and only few of them reported about reaching rabbis for help and advice, mainly reported they were looking for help on-line. (2) They searched online forums, social media and private groups for survivors; were exposed to survivors’ stories and learned by themselves what they have been going through, could give the correct ‘professional’ name to the experience and learned how to end the cycle of abuse. (3) since the interviews and focused groups were conducted between April -2021 to September 2021, approximately closed to the end of lockdowns and quarantining periods, we assume, the findings are highly linked to the time of data collection. The new circumstances of Covid, and related forced restrictions, led millions of women around the world to seek help and support via digital media. Though many of the participating women were not exposed to digital media before, they learnt they could find help remotely, communicate and consult on-line with other IPV survivors, and most importantly they could keep their anonymity and not expose their identity by sharing their stories. (4) women who were not familiar with digital tools before, and first learned how to use smartphones and social media apps (were affiliated with sub-groups within the Chasidic community), managed to break the cycle of violence and leave the abuser, after hours of searching, researching survivors’ stories, and targeting private counsellors who experienced interpersonal abuse themselves. In conclusion, the use of on-line platforms is perceived as helpful and largely available. The whole scope of results and implications for practice and future research are presented in the coming scientific publications.
