Violence Against Women 2017, Vol. 23(11) 1271–1292 © The Author(s) 2016 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.com/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/1077801216658978 journals.sagepub.com/home/vaw Research Article Protective Strategies of Mothers Abused by Intimate Partners: Rethinking the Deficit Model Kendra L. Nixon 1 , Leslie M. Tutty 2 , H. L. Radtke 2 , Christine A. Ateah 1 , and E. Jane Ursel 1 Abstract Exposure to intimate partner violence is detrimental to children, but can abused mothers protect them, and, if so, what can they do? This study of 350 Canadian abused women represents the first quantitative examination of such protective strategies. The actions that mothers most commonly used and perceived as effective include showing affection and being nurturing to their children. The strategies often suggested by professionals, such as contacting police and obtaining protection orders, were used less and considered less effective than informal strategies. Professionals are urged to ask mothers what strategies they use, especially those who do not involve formal systems. Keywords domestic violence, protective strategies, mothering In Canada, intimate partner violence (IPV) is a disturbing reality for many women. In 2011, approximately 78,000 women reported partner violence to the police; a rate of 542 victims per 100,000 women aged 15 years and older (Sinha, 2013). The issue is even more problematic for women living in Canada’s Prairie Provinces. According to the 2009 General Social Survey, Saskatchewan (8.2%), Alberta (7.6%), and Manitoba (7.4%) had the highest rates of self-reported spousal violence (the national average was 6%; Statistics Canada, 2011). 1 University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada 2 University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada Corresponding Author: Kendra L. Nixon, Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba, 500C Tier Building, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R3T 2N2. Email: kendra.nixon@umanitoba.ca 658978VAW XX X 10.1177/1077801216658978Violence Against WomenNixon et al. research-article 2016