Standing stronger: new programme empowers women who have experienced violence

Men’s violence against women

Researcher Freddie Lymeus is also engaged in the issue of men’s violence against women. He is a licensed psychologist, researcher at Uppsala University and project leader of the Forte-funded research project Strength to Move On, in which researchers and the independent Uppsala kvinnojour (Uppsala Women’s Shelter) are developing a new intervention.

Together, they have identified a target group for whom women’s shelters currently have no specific support programme to offer.

– We are talking about the many women who still need support after the acute phase. Women who have left an abusive relationship and have begun to settle into their new situation, but are unable to move forward with their lives. Strength to Move On aims to help them find renewed strength and direction, says Freddie.

Exercises that build strength and security

The participating women meet in groups every other week for twelve weeks, led by counsellors specialising in violence against women. They take part in exercises and activities within the categories of reflection, meditation, activation and social connection.

– All exercises in the programme are based on existing therapeutic and health-promoting practices. The idea is to offer a broad selection of exercises so that every woman can find something that appeals to her, says Freddie.

The reflection exercises are designed to help participants connect more closely with their personal values and make decisions based on what is important to them. Among other things, the women map out the safe places and safe people in their lives.

– That particular exercise affects many women deeply. Hopefully, it can help them recognise both what is missing and sow the seeds for finding new sources of safety around which to build their lives. Some have been forced to change both city and identity.

The meditation exercises provide tools for relaxation and emotional regulation, while the activation exercises create energy and interaction in the room, fostering enjoyment, joy and strength.

– One example is power poses, which are about expressing strength through the body when interacting with others.

Everyone is seen and heard

The social element runs throughout the programme. Everyone is seen and given the opportunity to speak.

– We build on what is already firmly rooted in the culture of the shelters: meeting one another as equals. Being able to be fully present as a person and having time to chat with others in similar situations. Perhaps even finding new friends.

In addition to the Uppsala Women’s Shelter, seven other women’s shelters have tested the programme one or more times. Researchers interview participants at the beginning, middle and end of the programme, and the women complete questionnaires at every session.

The project team has continued to develop the programme based on the responses.

– We also interview the counsellors about their experiences. The programme needs to be appealing to them as well if it is to take root properly and continue independently. The materials must be simple, accessible and self-instructional.

Free for women’s shelters to use

The research project will conclude during 2026, after which the programme will be handed over to the Uppsala Women’s Shelter, which will make it freely available to other women’s shelters.

– We will be delivering an intervention with strong credibility. More research is needed, but we already know that Strength to Move On can be successfully implemented within the context of Swedish women’s shelters. We also know that participants find the programme valuable, that many experience improved quality of life and that symptoms of mental ill-health decrease.

Åsa Witkowski of Unizon hopes that more professional groups will gain knowledge about men’s violence against women and feel confident asking women whether they have experienced violence.

– Knowledge levels within areas such as social services vary. Since 2018, knowledge about men’s violence against women has been included in social work education programmes, but that knowledge also needs to reach those who graduated earlier. Many problems can be solved simply by understanding why the woman sitting across from you at the social services office is there.

She is grateful for the Strength to Move On project.

– We need more applied research of this kind so that research can be put to practical use. We need to know what works and why. That makes it easier to encourage women to accept support interventions.

TEXT: Eva Annell (English translation by Forte)