Citation

Westbrook L. J. Am. Soc. Inf. Sci. Technol. 2009; 60(4): 826-836.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2009, American Society for Information Science and Technology, Publisher John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1002/asi.21021

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Survivors of intimate partner violence face more than information gaps; many face powerful barriers in the form of information myths. Triangulating data from in-depth interviews and community bulletin board postings, this study incorporates insights from survivors, police, and shelter staff to begin mapping the information landscape through which survivors move. An unanticipated feature of that landscape is a set of 28 compelling information myths that prevent some survivors from making effective use of the social, legal, economic, and support resources available to them. This analysis of the sources, contexts, and consequences of these information myths is the first step in devising strategies to counter their ill effects.