The lived experiences of women who discovered their partner perpetrated a sexual offence

PurposeThis study aims to explore the experiences of non-offending partners (NOPs) of men who perpetrated contact and non-contact sexual offences.Design/methodology/approachIn-depth semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight women and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis.FindingsFindings yielded two superordinate themes, eight subordinate themes and an overarching theme. The first superordinate theme Paying for their Husband's Transgressions captured many ways in which the women's lives were impacted by their husbands offending. The second superordinate theme Navigating the Darkness encompassed the women's experiences of trying to adapt to their new lives. The overarching theme A Contaminated Life pertained to the shared experiences of the women who all described encountering instant and profound consequences. This research highlighted the need for immediate signposting to support services for NOPs. The value of a humanistic counselling approach paired with forensic expertise was also identified. Future research with cross-cultural samples and same sex-couples would enrich the current understanding of this experience.Practical implicationsThis research highlighted the need for immediate signposting to support services for NOPs. The value of a humanistic counselling approach paired with forensic expertise was also identified.Originality/valueQualitative research on the experiences of NOPs of men who perpetrated sexual offences is sparse. Furthermore, existing research focuses on the experiences of women who's own children were abused, with the partners of men who have perpetrated extra-familial or non-contact offenses remaining largely neglected.

Automated summary

This study aims to explore the experiences of non-offending partners (NOPs) of men who perpetrated sexual offences. Eight women were interviewed and the data was analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The findings revealed two superordinate themes, eight subordinate themes, and an overarching theme. The study emphasizes the need for immediate support services and highlights the value of a humanistic counseling approach paired with forensic expertise. Qualitative research on the experiences of NOPs is limited and further research is needed.