Table 5 Classification of barriers defined by the participants

Lack of legal arrangements (n = 29)

Lack of proper place to interview the victim (n = 12)

Lack of training (n = 17)

Hide and endure abuse despairingly (n = 18)

Lack of social support institutions (n = 15)

Lack of multidisciplinary approach (n = 4)

Lack of knowledge on legal aspect of the issue (n = 13)

Turning back to the same environment (n = 12)

Low socioeconomic status of women (n = 12)

Lack of safety measures for health care workers (n = 4)

Time constraints (n = 8)

Afraid of the repeat of abuse (n = 9)

Insufficiency in the juridical system (n = 8)

Lack of social care workers in ED (n = 4)

Heavy workload of health care workers (n = 6)

Lack of knowledge on legal rights (n = 7)

Operational structure of the security forces (n = 6)

Lack of job descriptions and procedures (n = 2)

Health staff can not help (n = 8)

Shame (n = 3)

Cultural structure (n = 6)

Lack of staff (n = 1)

Health staff share common prejudices (n = 5)

Feudal & traditional families (n = 5)

Health staff experience the same abuse (n = 3)

Low education level (n = 4)

Need of increased authorization (n = 2)

Religion (n = 1)

Shame of asking questions about abuse (n = 1)