To help us develop the right resources for rural communities, we began the Spire project by talking to local people  in the UK, Sweden, Spain and Greece.

We held a range of focus groups attended by a whole cross section of people to find out what they thought about domestic abuse.

How do rural communities in the UK view domestic abuse?

In the UK, we talked to a range of people involved in local community groups, including older people and those suffering from mental health problems.

Here are just some of the issues they raised:

• For some, domestic abuse is still a ‘taboo’ subject.
• Many agreed that a wide range of people were perpetrators of domestic abuse  - including those who were considered ‘upstanding members of the community’.
• Many reasons were identified as to why those experiencing domestic violence don’t leave the situation – in addition to the reasons you may expect, such as being scared or not having anywhere to go. For example, religious beliefs, social values like ‘what will people think of me’, worries about children, lack of financial independence and being in love with the perpetrator.
• Many people also felt that it was unclear whose responsibility domestic violence is, from a community point of view. The attitude ‘it’s best not to get involved, it’s a private matter’ still exists.

Read more views from the UK by downloading the full report:

SPIRE – FOCUS GROUPS UK

How do rural communities in Sweden view domestic abuse?

In Sweden, we talked to a range of people representing the community. We explored people’s views of domestic abuse by asking a series of questions.

Here are just some of the issues raised:

• The majority of people we spoke to agreed that domestic abuse is not a ‘private matter’. It is society’s problem and even though it relates to private issues everyone has a responsibility to act.
• Many suggested ways of raising awareness, including launching a national ’stop domestic abuse’ day supported by well known people and holding information sessions for both men and women.
• People also felt that domestic abuse could be worse in rural communities because it’s harder for victims to be ‘anonymous’ for example or because villages are often seen as being ‘better’ than cities – almost as if problems like domestic abuse can’t be found somewhere tranquil or picturesque.

Read more views from Sweden by downloading the full report:

SPIRE – FOCUS GROUPS SWEDEN

How do rural communities in Spain view domestic abuse?

In Spain we talked to a wide variety of people from the community, including young people, older people, the Police and education professionals. We did this to see how views differed between the groups. Here are just some of the issues raised:

* There was some debate as to why perpetrators are abusive, some felt that it was down to genetic factors, with some people more ‘predisposed’ to being abusive, whilst others thought that factors such as lack of education, financial difficulties or addictions played a significant part.

* Some people felt that negative media images portraying abuse were to blame, and that people, especially young people, may ‘copy’ what they see on television or in films and computer games.

* Ideas for tackling domestic abuse included raising people’s awareness of the laws that exist in Spain to help protect victims of domestic abuse. Many people also felt that schools could play a part in educating young people about domestic abuse.

Read more views from Spain by downloading the full report:

SPIRE – FOCUS GROUPS SPAIN

How do rural communities in Greece view domestic abuse?

In Greece, we talked to a range of different people representing a wide cross-section of views and social groups in the Municipality of Hersonissos – including the local Women’s Association, the High School Parents & Guardians Association, the Teachers’ Association, employees of the Municipality and local culture societies. Our aim in talking to these groups was to find out how aware of domestic abuse they were, whilst raising awareness and encouraging frank and open dialogue and discussion between people. Here are just some of the issues raised:

• Domestic abuse includes mental and sexual abuse as well as physical violence.
• Domestic abuse is about actions based on control, power and fear.
• The issue affects men and children, as well as women.
• There is a need for public and private psychological care and support for victims.
• There is also a need for awareness-raising activities in schools and educational establishments, local institutions and community groups.
• As ‘active citizens’ both personally and professionally, many participants in the focus groups felt that they had a responsibility to raise awareness of domestic abuse and have a role to play in tackling it.

Read more views from Greece by downloading the full report:

SPIRE – FOCUS GROUPS GREECE

We would like to express our thanks to Miss Maria Stamataki, Social Worker and external associate of the Municipality for the project lend@hand, for her help and contribution during the focus groups stage of the SPIRE project.