Managing in the Contemporary World: Rape Victims' and Supporters' Experiences of Barriers within the Police and the Health Care System in Tanzania

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Managing in the Contemporary World: Rape Victims' and Supporters' Experiences of Barriers within the Police and the Health Care System in Tanzania
Language: English
Authors: Muganyizi, Projestine S., Nystrom, Lennarth, Axemo, Pia, Emmelin, Maria
Source: Journal of Interpersonal Violence. Nov 2011 26(16):3187-3209.
Availability: SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: http://sagepub.com
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2011
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Caring, Grounded Theory, Health Services, Help Seeking, Rape, Females, Coping, Foreign Countries, Victims of Crime, Barriers, Police, Interviews, Psychological Patterns, Services, Ethics, Cooperation, Communication Skills
Geographic Terms: Tanzania
DOI: 10.1177/0886260510393006
ISSN: 0886-2605
Abstract: Grounded theory guided the analysis of 30 in-depth interviews with raped women and community members who had supported raped women in their contact with the police and health care services in Tanzania. The aim of this study was to understand and conceptualize the experiences of the informants by creating a theoretical model focusing on barriers, strategies, and responses during the help seeking process. The results illustrate a process of "managing in the contemporary world" characterized as "walking a path of anger and humiliation." The barriers are illustrated by painful experiences of "realizing it's all about money, meeting unprofessionalism and irresponsibility, subjected to unreliable services," and by being "caught in a messed-up system." Negotiating truths and knowing what to do capture the informants' coping strategies. The study indicates an urgent need for improvement in the formal procedures of handling rape cases, improved collaboration between the police and the health care system, as well as specific training for professionals to improve their communication and caring skills. (Contains 2 figures.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 46
Entry Date: 2011
Accession Number: EJ942289
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Grounded theory guided the analysis of 30 in-depth interviews with raped women and community members who had supported raped women in their contact with the police and health care services in Tanzania. The aim of this study was to understand and conceptualize the experiences of the informants by creating a theoretical model focusing on barriers, strategies, and responses during the help seeking process. The results illustrate a process of "managing in the contemporary world" characterized as "walking a path of anger and humiliation." The barriers are illustrated by painful experiences of "realizing it's all about money, meeting unprofessionalism and irresponsibility, subjected to unreliable services," and by being "caught in a messed-up system." Negotiating truths and knowing what to do capture the informants' coping strategies. The study indicates an urgent need for improvement in the formal procedures of handling rape cases, improved collaboration between the police and the health care system, as well as specific training for professionals to improve their communication and caring skills. (Contains 2 figures.)
ISSN:0886-2605
DOI:10.1177/0886260510393006