Why living in a rural town makes it harder for survivors of domestic abuse to get help

If you’ve found yourself to this blog post, either you or someone you know may be a survivor of domestic abuse and you’re looking for answers about how to help them. 

By the end of this blog post, I want to shed some light on factors specific to survivors in rural areas of Canada to give some insight about the obstacles they face in trying to get help. 

Unreported Cases

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is considered to be highly underreported worldwide, but it is believed to be even more underreported in rural areas! International numbers have IPV at 15% - 17%, but within a Canadian context, IPV ranges from 25% - 30%.

Though most people assume that IPV would be a more prevalent issue in urban settings, this is simply not the case. This is likely because of the obstacles facing women in rural areas, from underemployment to housing shortages to stigma in the community and fear about losing their connection to family and friends. 

Women from minority cultural groups can especially be reluctant to report as their connections might be even more tenuous due to language barriers, religious needs, and the high-stakes implications of visa application processes.

Social stigma in small towns

Anyone who has lived in a small town can attest to how fast news travels, and the fact that everyone will eventually find out that news. 

This can be a terrifying prospect for a survivor within a rural community, and is likely a major component of not wanting to report. Thus survivors become avoidant and silent, holding back their suffering. 

No one wants to feel on display when going through something vulnerable to this extent, but living in a small town can feel like being in the spotlight at moments.

Lack of services and resources 

Overall services in small towns can be limited. It may not be possible for a survivor to get in contact with a therapist or social worker to help with their journey. 

Some horror stories from survivors have been reported of them receiving recommendations to do marriage counseling after reporting their cases of IPV.

Other obstacles lie in the need for a car when living remotely, which can weigh constantly on gas bills. To do therapy online, clients would need dependable internet and technology which is not necessarily available to them. 

Isolation

A big factor in the experience of a survivor in rural areas are the feelings of isolation that come with the geographical implications of the abuse, but also the social stigma. 

The distance between neighbors in certain areas can prevent a survivor from reaching out. In some cases, it was shown that the further a woman lived away from others, the worse her injuries were. 

Women may also feel isolated due to not being able to access technology or internet services. 

Recognizing the isolating nature of being a survivor in a small town is a first step towards understanding their plight. 

Moving forward

When it comes to helping survivors in rural areas, all of these factors need to be taken into account when helping them to find and maintain support. 

If you’re supporting a survivor of IPV, focus on listening to that person before anyone else. Taking the woman’s lead in understanding their needs is a first step towards getting the broader picture of their experience. 

Get help

My private practice is specifically designed for women and children survivors of domestic abuse within the Haliburton and Kawartha Lakes region. If you or someone you love is a survivor, don’t hesitate to reach out about an initial phone to discuss us working together. To assist with the needs of survivors, I am able to provide therapy over zoom or even via telephone. 

Resources:

Ontario wide: dial tel:211, or toll free: tel:+18773303213

Quebec wide SOS Helpline: 1 800 363-9010

Kawartha Lakes crisis line: 705 878 3662

Haliburton Highlands crisis line: 705 286 6442