Abstract
The purpose of this study was to develop prevention and educational programs for battered women. The first stage was to assess battered women's health status and health needs. The second stage was to develop prevention and educational programs to improve battered women's health.
A survey research design was used to gather data from June-November 1999 by the counselor. Research sample was recruited from shelter and women's counseling centers in Seoul, Inchon, Chooncheon, Taejeon, and Jeoju. Trained counselors contacted 218 women, who agreed verbally to participate in the study. The researcher did a literature review and developed the tool used. We did ten pretests and three counselors checked the tool for content validity. The reliability and validity of the instrument were acceptable. The second stage of the research consisted of lay-professional groups discussing the abuse problems and possible solutions. Each group had five professionals (counsellor, nurse, minister, psychiatrist, social worker) and five women who have experienced battering from her husband in community.
Result of the survey and two(lay persons and professionals) group discussions showed that victims need more assessment of physical, mental and spiritual needs. Victims were beaten more often during their pregnancies than at other times. Various kind of strategy were frequently utilized, but still the number of women abused and suicides committed increased. Both studies showed that the women experienced severe beating, that they felt powerless, that they need to understand that society abuser characteristics, that they lack a protection support system and that society lacks would an understanding of battered women. Based on the result of both studies, we developed model for prevention and education of battered women.
This educational program will increase women s power to solve the abuse problems. The ultimate goal of the program is to develop a one-stop center to give wholistic approach care to women in abuse situations.