Women’s Experience of Domestic Violence: A Qualitative Study in Hangzhou, China

Abstract

Purpose There has been an increasing awareness of Domestic Violence (DV) in China following the announcement of the First Anti-Domestic Violence Law, in 2015 yet, there has been limited in-depth research concerning DV in China -with most focused on prevalence and risk factors. This study aims to capture female DV victims’ experience of violence in China, and identify the perceived causes and impacts of DV.

Methods This qualitative research, conducted from June to September 2019 in Hangzhou, China, consisted of in-depth semi-structured interviews with 30 women who had experience of DV. Social cognitive theory served as the theoretical framework and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis to analyze the data.

Results The most common types of physical violence reported included hitting, throwing objects at women, choking, kicking, and slapping. Psychological violence consisted of insults and denigration, physical threats, and enforcement of social isolation. Sexual violence consisted of forced sexual behaviors against women’s willingness. All informants suffered physical or psychological impacts from the violence experienced. Perceived causes of DV included the perpetrator’s personality and childhood experience of violence; victims’ self-blame; conflict between couples that include those concerning raising children and household finances; family conflicts, especially with parents-in-law; social factors including rural-to-urban migration for work, social norms and constraints, and legal constraints to separation. 80% of informants reported that they still cohabit with their abusive partner.

Conclusion Our findings provide insights into potential preventative measures for DV from individual, family, and social perspectives, and the need to de-stigmatize and support victims of DV in China.