For the past 10 years, Jeniece Berg has worked as a Registered Nurse in critical care, working Post-operative Recovery, ICU and Neurosurgery. Every shift, Jeniece would do her best and give excellent care to her patients, but there was something deeply personal that was troubling her.
Jeniece is a survivor of domestic abuse. As a nurse, she knew she was helping people, but she felt compelled to do more, and felt called to address the many issues that domestic abuse poses for women. As a result, she decided to pursue her Masters in Nursing. Her thesis focuses on the experiences of women who have survived domestic abuse through the utilization of both interviews and art combined.
Domestic abuse is on the rise and is an increasing world health concern. As this research stems from such a personal experience, Jeniece is passionate in her aim to help other women that have gone through a similar situation.
Painting was crucial to her rehabilitation, as well as helping her escape her own abuse. Jeniece’s research will be focused on the human experience of women who have been domestically abused with integration of art as a means of deeper storytelling.
“The predominant question most people ask is, ‘Why didn’t you just leave?’ or there’s an assumption that domestic abuse only happens to a certain type of woman. Part of the reason women don’t leave is because there are so many different types of abuse. There is not always just physical abuse, but psychological, financial and sexual abuse. Coercive control is a psychological abuse tactic, utilizing gaslighting and subtle control tactics that increase over time. It’s an underlying denigration of a woman’s self-worth, and over time, it really impacts your judgment and ability to see things clearly,” Jeniece explains.
Through painting and journaling, Jeniece realized that she had repressed a lot of memories, and she realized how abusive her relationship was. She says for many survivors of abuse, it isn’t about reaching a breaking point that makes people leave. It is often more complicated than just one thing that’s the deciding factor. It’s a slow process over time of returning to yourself and learning about domestic abuse. On average it usually takes women up to seven times to leave an abusive relationship because of this complicated dynamic.
“I felt a deep amount of shame being a registered nurse and going through this. I slowly disassociated myself from it and underplayed how bad it was. Because I’m a nurse, you’re there to help people who this happens to. It’s not supposed to be happening to you.”
As she took time away from work to heal and get the necessary professional help she needed, she started to do research. She found out that domestic abuse statistically happens to one in three women in their lifetime and that healthcare workers are one of the highest groups of people who experience domestic abuse.
“There are days I wake up and I still feel like a victim, and there are days when I wake up and think, no, I’m a survivor. It’s a dualistic experience.”
She hopes her research will help to humanize women who have been domestically abused. Allowing others not to see them as either a victim or survivor, but a woman who has a full life.
Through her research, she hopes she can help women who have experienced domestic abuse feel heard and seen, while providing them tools to help them in their healing.
Jeniece was awarded the Florence and Lloyd Cooper Alberta Registered Nursing Educational Trust (ARNET) Scholarship for the excellence she’s shown in pursuing her studies. Education advancement and research is one of Calgary Health Foundation’s priority areas in enhancing healthcare for our community.
“I was honoured and completely shocked to receive this scholarship. I’m so proud, because having their backing is going to shine a light on my research. It validated that I’m on the right track and that my research will positively impact the health of women, and bring awareness to this women’s health crisis.”
The scholarship allowed her to work casually while pursuing her education. She was also able to buy art supplies that she will use in her research with the women, to help them have an alternative outlet when describing their experiences.
Jeniece worked in acute care at the bedside for most of her career, but a part of her always felt she wanted to pursue her Masters. Unfortunately, the timing was difficult since most of the time, she was focused on just surviving and being able to take care of her patients.
“Nursing has really taught me resiliency. The beautiful thing about a nursing career is that it’s so multifaceted.”
While her experience with domestic abuse is something she would never want someone to go through, the silver lining for her has been the ability to pursue research that is both deeply personal and something she is incredibly passionate about.
Her hope is to bring awareness to both the issues of domestic abuse and help victims and survivors get the support they need to move forward. To create more firsts in research and learning, please consider making a donation by visiting givehealth.ca
For immediate help for domestic violence situations:
Domestic violence and abuse helpline:
403-234-SAFE (7233)
Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter (calgarywomensshelter.com)
Peer support and resources:
Sagesse l Alberta-based non-profit working to end domestic abuse
