Little is known about how social and geographical isolation shape women’s coping abilities and domestic violence service provision.

This study engaged with five different types of social and geographical locations at sites in South Australia and Western Australia to explore how isolation impacts on different women’s abilities to seek assistance and cope with experiences of domestic violence.

Using a qualitative design this project gained insights into women’s help seeking behaviour and coping mechanisms. The project also examined how workforce, resources, and contextual factors impact on service provision in rural and remote regions. The findings of this project will enhance service provision for local communities but also serve as a platform to develop knowledge more broadly about what support, information and services are most effective in helping women living in isolation.

Principle Chief Investigator, Professor Sarah Wendt presented at the ANROWS Inaugural National Research Conference 2016.