Citation

Chatzifotiou S, Dobash R. Violence Against Women 2001; 7(9): 1024-1050.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/10778010122182884

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This exploratory study conducted from 1997 to 1998 is the first study to empirically investigate Greek battered women's help-seeking behavior from informal sources of help. In-depth interviews were conducted with 17 abused women in the only refuge for battered women in Athens. Results of this study indicate that Greek women tend to suffer years of violence before they ask for help because of various personal and sociocultural factors. These factors center around feelings of shame and guilt, hope that things will get better, and the concepts of marriage and the family that are of central importance to women's lives in Greece. The article concludes by highlighting the importance of using systems of informal support and recommending the need for more research on the issue of violence in Greece.