CONSTRAINTS, CONFRONTATIONS, CHOICES: MALAY FEMALE SURVIVORS’ AGENCY IN INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is an area of study where there are political contestations over whether women are victims of a patriarchal system, or whether they are autonomous adults who have made bad choices. This thesis aims to understand the context of IPV faced by Malay women in Singapore by focusing on their agentic capacities. Findings from this study show that despite the violent environment of abusive marriage, women’s agency comes in various degrees and takes on different forms in varying situations. Narratives of the women’s responses to abuse can inform policy reformulations for current provisions and services related to IPV.