This study explores the impact of Indigenous cultural and religious values on intimate partner violence (IPV) services in Timor-Leste, where such values are key to national identity and the Catholic Church has a strong influence. Despite efforts to enhance survivor-centered approaches, the role of these values in service delivery remains inadequately examined. Using a decolonizing methodology, the research highlights the relationship between cultural beliefs, particularly Catholicism, and the colonial past of Timor-Leste. The study involved in-depth interviews with 18 service providers from the Gender-Based Violence referral network in Baucau and Dili. The analysis reveals how providers utilize cultural and religious values for emotional support and advocacy, while also navigating the complexities of survivors’ needs and justice processes. However, these values can sometimes lead to victim blaming and diminish the recognition of survivors’ trauma. While they may hinder help-seeking behaviors and normalize abuse, they can also offer resilience and support. The study calls for IPV intervention strategies that are culturally sensitive and incorporate decolonizing perspectives, recognizing the challenges of generational trauma and the potential benefits of integrating cultural values with trauma-informed care.
"We Are the Eyes and Ears for Them": A Qualitative Study on the Influence of Religious and Cultural Values on Service Providers' Response to Intimate Partner Violence in Timor-Leste
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