During the past two decades, the Pacific Northwest, much like many regions of the United States, has become a major destination for immigrants from throughout the world. More than 100,000 Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees settled in the Seattle area during this time, followed by succeeding waves of immigration from Central America, East Africa, Central Europe, the nations that comprised the Soviet Union, China and the South Asian countries. New immigrants have to sacrifice to succeed. They work long hours at competitive jobs and encounter discrimination in hiring and promotion. Traditional family roles are eroded by the need of both husband and wife to work outside the home and by the increased independence of children. Against this backdrop, this workshop will examine the issues that contribute to the vulnerability of women who live in displaced families and lack a familiar support network, when faced by domestic violence. Cultural and linguistic barriers in accessing mainstream support services prove to be insurmountable. Societal and institutional biases and stereotypes as they affect women from minority communities serve to further complicate the issues and heighten the disparities in social services. A combination of these factors leaves no hope for a better and safer alternative and forces the victim to remain within the often-fatal cycle of violence. Alternative approaches, which are more effective in and relevant to meeting the needs of immigrant and refugee women victims of domestic violence, will be presented.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify the challenges and barriers faced by women from diverse immigrant communities 2. Describe the nature and importance of culturally competent services. 3. Describe effective and relevant approaches in working with diverse communities
Keywords: Domestic Violence, Culture
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.