| This thesis explores the impact of male partner violence on eight refugee women's integration into Canadian society, using Ager and Strang's Integration Framework, and feminist theory. The gaps in the literature regarding this issue inspired this inquiry. Qualitative research methods were used to gather and analyse data. Eight refugee women who had experienced abuse from a male partner were interviewed individually using a semi-structured interview guide. Data were transcribed verbatim, then categorised and analysed using NVivo. Grounded theory techniques were used to identify and explore themes. The findings revealed three stages at which participants' integration into Canadian society was challenged: pre-termination, termination and post termination stage. Hope, control over decision making, and motherhood were significant for participants' ability to leave abuse, and to integrate into Canadian society. This thesis concludes that male partner violence and structural factors were barriers to participants' integration into Canadian society. |
