Women's Experiences Receiving Support Online for Intimate Partner Violence: How Does it Compare to Face-to-Face Support from a Health Professional?

There is a growing need for novel approaches in supporting victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), particularly as the demand placed on formal services increases. Online interventions in this space have shown a great deal of theoretical promise. However, currently little is known about how women perceive this form of support, and how their experiences of receiving support online might differ from face-to-face approaches. This study aims to address this gap through qualitative interviews with n = 16 women who had experienced IPV. Eight of the women had received support via an interactive online intervention, and eight had received a counselling intervention delivered by their general practitioner (GP) (family doctor). The findings suggest that many elements of face-to-face support can also be delivered effectively online, leading to greater control over the help-seeking process. On the other hand, a trusting relationship with the GP can also be extremely helpful to women seeking to disclose, and is difficult to replicate online. Which method of delivery is preferred may depend on whether a woman values trust or control in her help-seeking journey. Both online and face-to-face interventions for IPV should focus on providing individualized support that raises awareness, lessens isolation and considers women's own unique needs and circumstances.