Benefits of leisure in overcoming gender violence experiences: a case study

ABSTRACT

This article is based on a case study carried out at Casa Malva, a shelter for female victims of gender violence in Gijón, Asturias (Spain). The study explores the potential therapeutic value of leisure in the process of personal recovery for women living in sheltered accommodation, and the positive impact leisure may have in overcoming a traumatic life event. The study comprised 16 semi-structured interviews with female victims of gender violence and three discussion groups with shelter staff. The article examines the concept of leisure and the potential benefits of leisure activities as part of the Personal Recovery Project (PRP) run by Casa Malva. PRP is an innovative recovery initiative aimed at helping women to overcome situations of gender violence by focusing on areas of experience, such as family, employment and leisure.

KEYWORDS:

• Gender
• women’s leisure
• coping
• benefits
• qualitative research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tania Merelas-Iglesias

Tania Merelas-Iglesias is Doctor of Education (University of Santiago de Compostela, 2016) and her research interest involves gender, leisure and education. Now, she manages a cooperative business on gender equality field as community worker. Also she is an active feminist in her community.

Ana Sánchez-Bello

Ana Sánchez-Bello is Doctor of Education and currently Department Chair at Faculty of Education, University of A Coruña. Her research interest involves gender and education.