Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence

This collection highlights the common experiences of immigrant women who are in abusive relationships, the legal protections and public benefits available, and practices and suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of services provided to immigrant women.

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VAWnet Summary:

Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence (March 2009) by the Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse (MINCAVA) for VAWnet, the National Online Resource Center on Violence Against Women

The epidemic of domestic violence exists across the diversity of our society and includes immigrant communities. The experiences of immigrant women who survive domestic violence are unique. Immigrant women face particular challenges when faced with an abusive partner, including cultural and language barriers, limited access to housing, legal status, isolation, and economic insecurity. Often, these factors intersect to isolate immigrant women and prevent them from accessing services. Immigrant women’s access to services for domestic violence is further hindered when service providers are unable to adequately respond to immigrant women’s unique needs and barriers.

This special collection draws from the work of Legal Momentum, National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women, ASISTA, and Family Violence Prevention Fund. The resources included in this special collection are organized into the following eight areas: 1) domestic violence in immigrant communities; 2) barriers to seeking help; 3) legal protections available; 4) public benefits available; 5) enhancing services for immigrant women; 6) information for immigrant survivors of domestic violence; 7) training materials; and 8) organizations that provide services to immigrant women.

* See related webinar recording:
Immigration Relief for Vulnerable Populations: Human Trafficking, Crime Victims, Domestic Violence and Child Abuse by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, hosted by the Family Violence Prevention and Services Office of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (December 13, 2011)
This webinar recording focuses on immigration relief for vulnerable populations, offering great remedies for victims of violence such as the T-nonimmigrant status for victims of Human Trafficking, the U-nonimmigrant status for victims of crimes, Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) relief for domestic violence victims, and Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJ) for child abuse, abandonment and neglect victims.