The strongest women’: Exploration of the inner resources of abused women

Domestic violence is reaching epidemic proportions and is designated a national health crisis in the United States. Yet, the stories of abused women and their experiences are only just recently appearing in the literature. The use of coping strategies in dealing with abusive inti-mate partners is one such area that invites further research. Using the phenomenological method, 17 volunteers discuss their inner resources for surviving abusive experiences and developing ways to protect themselves in future relationships. Women’s accounts of abuse experiences add depth to what is known about their strength and portray them as survivors rather than as victims. Future research is called for that adds to the understanding of the inner resources attributed to the women in the study findings. Domestic violence is often explored in ways that characterize abused womenas helpless victims. Yet, a popular poem among abused women by Veronica Shoffstall (1971) demonstrates their strength: And you learn you really can endure That you really are strong That you really have worth And you learn and lear