Social Support and Social Network on Battered Women of Haven Bonuan Binloc, Dagupan City

The descriptive qualitative method of research was used as appropriate design in the sense that it described and qualified the needs of battered women in terms of social support and social networks as beneficiaries of HAVEN Binloc, Dagupan City, covering the period from June to October 2005.

The study involved ten (10) battered women who were under therapy and at present residing in the vicinity of BOnuan Binloc Dagupan City. A set of interview guide questions as the principal tool was used to determine the objectives of the study.

Based on tabular presentations, problem no. 1 what are the needs of battered women of HAVEN in terms of social support and social network? Results showed that the need for family acceptance and understanding and financial needs were rated by 10 or 100 percent of the respondents while the social support of battered women in terms of needs for social network were livelihood training, counseling, fellowship and legal advice given by HAVEN, DSWD and woman’s will. These were rated by 10 or a hundred percent of the respondents. Coping mechanisms employed were deeper sense of spirituality and deeper sense of commitment for the children.

On the basis of the foregoing findings, the following conclusions were drawn: that battered women need, the social support rendered by her own family thru acceptance and understanding. Likewise the financial needed in order to survive decently with her own children and that there is a strong need for social network to solve her problems in terms of livelihood training needs, counseling, fellowship and legal advice from government and non government organizations such as the DSWD, HAVEN, and Women’s Will of Dagupan City.

In the light of the foregoing conclusions, it is recommended therefore:

1. That better social support and social network services must be well established in all barangay, towns and cities nationwide;

2. That dissemination of information on the awareness level of injured housewives must be explored thru research

3. That better nursing interventions regarding battered women must be implemented fully in all areas of Dagupan City.