“Him, Me, or the Both of Us”: Perceptions of Blame Among Israeli Ultraorthodox Women Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence

This study investigated how Ultraorthodox Jewish Women (UJW) survivors attribute blame in intimate partner violence (IPV) experiences, addressing a significant research gap in understanding IPV within specific cultural contexts. The research employed a phenomenological approach through 15 semistructured face-to-face interviews with UJW IPV survivors. The findings revealed diverse patterns of blame attribution, including exclusive perpetrator blame, self-blame, and shared responsibility. The study suggests the need for a broader scientific framework to understand their experiences, emphasizing how IPV must be understood within both wider social and specific cultural contexts. This understanding is crucial for developing culturally sensitive interventions and support services for IPV survivors.