Women's perceptions on intimate partner violence in Mexico

Objective. To identify personal, cultural, and institutional factors that hinder the solution to domestic violence. Material and Methods. In Quintana Roo, Coahuila, and Mexico City, 26 in-depth interviews with women currently suffering from intimate partner violence and others who had already found a solution were carried out, between May and November 2003. Results. Among women's explanations to violence, it was possible to distinguish between causes (non intentional violence) and motives (intentional violence). Associated with these explanations, issues related to tolerance emerge, as well as attribution of responsibility. Moreover, the social ties of the women contribute to the acting out of gender roles and the justification or tolerance of conjugal abuse. Conclusions. The dominant values and norms of gender in society, shared by abused women and the community, are responsible for the perpetuation of intimate partner violence.