Date of Award
4-30-2001
Document Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Social Work (MSW)
Department
Social Work
First Advisor
Maria C. Dinis, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Second Advisor
Laura Boisen, M.S.W., Ph.D.
Third Advisor
Gayle Thomas, M.S.W.
Abstract
Despite the number of services available to battered women, few focus on working with those who remain in the abusive relationships. The Harm Reduction approach is one geared towards working with women who have not yet made the decision to leave their abusive partner. This hermeneutic, interpretive study of women's narratives revealed that the harm reduction approach provided non-judgmental support, which was conducive to increasing women's overall awareness of themselves, their situation, and their options. It is recommended that social workers and other human service agencies recognize the complexity, individuality and strength in each battered woman they encounter, facilitate a non-judgmental approach in working with them, and that battered women's experience and choice is validated rather than stigmatized or pathologized for the problem.
Identifier
SC 11.MSW.2001.Segelstr.D
Recommended Citation
Segelstrom, Darla, "A Hermeneutic Study: The Impacts of the Harm Reduction Approach on Women Living In Abusive Relationships" (2001). Theses and Graduate Projects. 290.
https://idun.augsburg.edu/etd/290