Intimate partner violence (IPV) is no stranger to any region of the United States. Although it is widely believed that most forms of IPV take place in urban environments, the reality is that victims of IPV reside in all communities, big and small. Even though there are resources available for victims of IPV to turn to, accessing these resources is extremely difficult for many Americans. While the idea of small town living and open fields may bring peace to some, it also brings terror to the thousands of victims of IPV in these communities. Being a victim of IPV while living in a rural community presents many unique challenges that cannot even be imagined by urban dwellers. Whether it’s having limited resources, a lack of transportation
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Many rural families still believe in a patriarchal structure, which has led women to believe that they must do as they are told by the man (Dudgeon & Evanson, 2014, p. 29). In addition, because rural families tend to have more children, the victim may feel more bound to the relationship because they consider it best for the children (Averill, et al., 2007, p. 44). Furthermore, many women of rural areas tend to live near or with the perpetrator’s family as opposed to their own (Annan, 2008, p. 98). Finally, the victim almost always considers the perpetrator’s and their own employment status before reporting IPV. Because employment is much harder to come by in rural communities, particularly for women, female victims may feel as if they must continue to deal with the violence in order to stay afloat (Averill, et al., 2007, p. 43; Dudgeon & Evanson, 2014, p. 30). On the other hand, because many rural families work on farms, the victim risks losing any investment they put in the farm, should they decide to leave. Furthermore, because rural areas offer significantly more jobs that cannot be performed year-round, the perpetrator may have more time to spend with the victim, thus making it harder for the victim to get the help they need (Dudgeon & Evanson, 2014, p.
Many rural families still believe in a patriarchal structure, which has led women to believe that they must do as they are told by the man (Dudgeon & Evanson, 2014, p. 29). In addition, because rural families tend to have more children, the victim may feel more bound to the relationship because they consider it best for the children (Averill, et al., 2007, p. 44). Furthermore, many women of rural areas tend to live near or with the perpetrator’s family as opposed to their own (Annan, 2008, p. 98). Finally, the victim almost always considers the perpetrator’s and their own employment status before reporting IPV. Because employment is much harder to come by in rural communities, particularly for women, female victims may feel as if they must continue to deal with the violence in order to stay afloat (Averill, et al., 2007, p. 43; Dudgeon & Evanson, 2014, p. 30). On the other hand, because many rural families work on farms, the victim risks losing any investment they put in the farm, should they decide to leave. Furthermore, because rural areas offer significantly more jobs that cannot be performed year-round, the perpetrator may have more time to spend with the victim, thus making it harder for the victim to get the help they need (Dudgeon & Evanson, 2014, p.