Migrant communities, intimate partner violence against women and the law. A phenomenological study exploring the attitudes and perceptions of Zimbabwean migrants living in the UK

Abstract

This thesis reports on an exploratory phenomenological study investigating the attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about Intimate Partner Violence (IPVAW) and the law that are held by Zimbabwean migrants living in the UK. The aim of this study was to explore participants’ subjective explanations of their perceptions, beliefs and attitudes to the phenomenon of IPVAW. The study explored participants’ understanding of IPVAW, knowledge of UK domestic abuse law and their perceptions of whether the law sufficiently protects migrant women. The role of the law in addressing IPVAW and changing people’s attitudes was also explored. The research employed a qualitative framework with a socio-legal approach underpinned by feminist –phenomenology standpoint epistemology in an attempt to gain a richer and deeper understanding of the human lived experience. Empirical data was collected using two components of data collection, an anonymous qualitative online survey questionnaire with 58 respondents exploring the views of a larger sample of participants followed by individualised semi-structured interviews with twelve participants. Findings suggest participants within the Zimbabwean community welcomed the opportunity to talk about their experiences of the phenomenon of IPVAW within their community. Since moving to the UK, participants reported that their knowledge and awareness of IPVAW has significantly increased. The study equally revealed that participants’ attitudes to IPVAW perpetration and tolerance has been shaped by both their lives in Zimbabwe prior to migration as well their new lives settled in the UK and that culture, religion and spirituality also have a major role in understanding, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions about IPVAW. Findings also revealed participants’ awareness and perceptions of the effectiveness of domestic abuse law which was seen as having limited impact and usefulness for migrant women. Recommendations made from the study related to the importance of friends and family as a resource for victims of IPVAW, the need to incorporate meaningful religious and cultural perspectives within IPVAW awareness campaigns, involvement of men as part of the solution and a need for better dissemination and implementation of the available legislation and domestic abuse policies.