Abstract
Domestic violence (DV) experienced by immigrant women is a global health concern. Precarious immigration status, language barriers, and discrimination can lead to reluctance in seeking support. Is a non-profit charitable organization and support center for immigrant women. Participants in this study were immigrant women who attended Changing Together. The aim of this study is to illustrate immigrant women’s experiences of DV and identify the community services they access.
Authors: Hannah Fonteyne,Karlee Podritske,Tanya Park,Kathleen Hegadoren
Publication Date: 1/10/2023
Notes
Gaps identified
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The data is from the case notes of one social worker at Changing Together, creating limitations in the clientele and type of support given.
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Additionally, restricted funding and time allowance encourages DV social workers to practice within a crisis management model, where they focus on the woman’s highest priority instead of all of her concerns.
Key recommendations
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More robust and better funded services, training, and programs for supporting survivors of DV, particularly immigrant women, are required.
Key findings
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Three themes came out of the research: building independence, surviving abuse, and services to support surviving.
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Due to the interplay between domestic violence (DV) and immigration, women experienced barriers to building independence in their finances, employment, housing and community integration.
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Surviving abuse spoke to different forms of DV that the women experienced, the impact on their children, and decisions to leave and/or divorce.
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The authors suggested services for supporting surviving included immigration system navigation, healthcare for damage from DV, Canadian education and cultivating resilience.
Location
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Edmonton
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Alberta
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urban areas
