‘I think I will need help’: A systematic review of who facilitates the recovery from gender-based violence and how they do so

Abstract

Context: A key to advancing the eradication of gender-based violence (GBV) is knowing how to recover from it. Objective: To identify the changes that are indicators of having overcome GBV and determine the role of various support networks. Search strategy: We systematically searched Web of Science. Inclusion criteria: Publications whose abstracts contained a minimum of two of the following words: (a) support or network or solidarity, (b) violence and (c) recovery or healing. Data extraction and synthesis: Of the 273 documents retrieved, 52 were used using a narrative synthesis approach. Main results: For recovery, women must reconnect with themselves, with their environment and with the world in general. Doing so requires support from both formal and informal networks. The intervention of other people is a common element in successful recovery processes. We identify three requirements for the intervention of these support networks to be effective: not blaming the victim, making women part of their own recovery process by showing them their own transformation potential and promoting reflection on the socialization they have experienced in their affective-sexual relationships. Conclusions: There are multiple benefits to having formal or informal support during recovery. In informal networks, raising awareness and providing training are insufficient for promoting active support. Instead, the Second Order of Sexual Harassment must specifically be combatted. Public contribution: From the authors' previous research, harassed women and survivors have underlined the necessity to identify indicators of recovery and which kind of support has an impact on it.