The Lived Experiences of Women with Physical Impairment Surviving Sexual Violence: A Phenomenological Inquiry

Abstract

Women with physical impairment surviving sexual violence have been repeatedly overlooked in violence against women research. As a result, we know little about the experiences and needs of women with physical impairment surviving sexual violence. The participants of this study were made up of 5 women with physical impairment surviving sexual violence. This study was qualitative in nature and the data was obtained by using an in-depth interview. Using phenomenology as a research design, the investigator used qualitative questions to gain deeper understanding of sexual violence. Open-ended, unstructured interviews focused on the lived experience of surviving sexual violence and the impact that this experience had had on the survivors’ sexual behavior were explored. The purpose of this study was to describe the lived experience of survivors of sexual violence against women with physical impairment. From participants’ lived experience, Nuclei of meanings emerged from the statements and hence nine themes were extracted: (a) Shame and Embarrassment, (b) Help-seeking, (c) relationships to the perpetrator(s), (d) disclosure, (e) Revictimization, (f) Affective responses, (g) Trouble with intimate relationships, (h) support system and (i) physical effects of sexual assault.