For the last decades, intimate partner violence has become recognized as a major social problem. In Portugal, domestic violence was criminalized in 2007 and a national victim’s support network is being implemented. Researches highlight couple violence against women as a serious problem, putting at risk victim’s autonomy. Power and Control Wheel core is formed by tactics of control mostly related with psychological, emotional, economic or social violence (Pence & Paymar 1993). Control tactics are efficient and violent without physical or sexual violence (e.g. idem; Johnson 1995, 2008). Victimization processes – namely intimate terrorism situations – are a cause of victim’s isolation and dependency. Recent research focuses violent relationship breaking up processes’ (e.g. Enander & Holmberg 2008; Chang, Dado et al 2010). This paper presents results of a qualitative research carried out at CIES, ISCTE-IUL about women victimized by intimate partners who have left abusive relationships. These women were supported by Associação Portuguesa de Mulheres contra a Violência (AMCV), an NGO. Research aims to acknowledge processes of victimization within couples and the legitimacy of practices of violence across women’s lives. Methodologically, data was collected through five semi-structured interviews and the subsequent content analysis. Interviewees attend Hipátia, a group of survivors of domestic violence, promoted by AMCV. Mainly due to partner violence, informants requested AMCV’s support and had to live in a women’s shelter. Women discourses emphasize the importance of specialized professionals as key to the recognition of violence by the victim, reconstruction and definition of a life project after leaving an abusive relationship.

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Couple violence,women,leaving process,qualitative research