Predictors of Help-Seeking Behaviour for Women Domestic Violence Victims of Pakistan and the Gaps in Networks of Support

Abstract

There is very little understanding of help-seeking behaviour in Pakistani women victims of domestic abuse or how to improve this behaviour and increase networks of support. This study aims to identify: (i) the sociodemographic predictors influencing help-seeking behaviour among married women experiencing domestic violence in Pakistan, and (ii) the network of support they seek help from. Secondary analysis was done using data from the Pakistan Demographic and Health Survey, 2018. A total of 1,254 women reported experiencing domestic violence across Pakistan. Bivariate logistic regression revealed that the following groups are more likely to seek help: (i) those with higher education; (ii) belonging to the middle class (; (iii) belonging to the urban region; (iv) self-employed; (v) belonging to Punjab, KPK, or AJK regions, and (vi) women who worked before and after marriage. Additionally, the mean analysis revealed that illiterate women comparatively seek less help from friends, police, and doctors. We conclude with salient recommendations for how to improve health-seeking behaviours and increase networks for support for women in the country.