Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gendered Violence

evolves from the imblance in POWER

between Men & Women, whether physical or emotional. 

 

 

 

In the 1980's feminist activists efforts, gained recognition towards the severity of Violence Against Women.

      Violence Against Women Act was passed in Congress in 1994, thanks to the help of activists, grassroots advocacy, and National Organization for women legal defense fund. It forever changed the rules for evidence, no longer being able to use a womens sexual history in court, but also police procedures, penalties, and court procedures. And, contains limitations for immigrant domestic abusers from threatening them with immigration laws.

      Immigrant women get little attention towards the domestic violence in their communities. Immigrant  domestic violence is also connected to cultural and legal issues. Being an immigrant, most lose their support system. Some cannot legally work, there for having no income if they're able to leave the enviroment. An abused woman does not need to be a U.S. citizen or legal resident to get a "Protection from Abuse" order. However, many immigrant or refugee women affected by domestic violence don't get help because they fear immigration officers.

                                Apna Ghar since January 1990 has served over 4800 domestic violence clients. The mission of the organization is to provide multi-lingual, multicultural services including shelter to immigrant women and their children seeking lives free from violence. www.luc.edu/curl/images/apnaghar.jpg

     

     Abuse is a common problem to women of every race, with advocates saying studies consistently show that somewhere between 32 percent and 49 percent of all women experience abuse at some point during their lifetimes.While 55 percent of U.S. women who have experienced abuse will officially report the violence when it occurs, according to Department of Justice studies, that figure is just over 30 percent for immigrant women with legal U.S. status. Only 14 percent of illegal or undocumented women will officially report the abuse.

     Prior to 1993, there were no more than 50 organizations across the country providing help to immigrants, now there are more than 3,000. The first federal initiative to protect domestic violence victims--the $1.6 billion Violence Against Women Act has spurred many of the new programs now available, especially after 2000, when Congress amended the act to provide legal immigration options for abused women regardless of their abusers' immigration status.

 

Immigrant women have many questions but dont ask them for fear of lack in communication skills.

 

So what can I do?

 

          Most importantly, if you are an illegal immigrant, DO NOT reveal your immigration status to anyone except an attorney working on your behalf or to a domestic violence advocate.

 

How will I survive if I leave and what happens with my children?

 

    If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR), your green card or resident alien card makes you eligibile to work. Depending on your state, you might qualify for food stamps, Medicaid coverage, TANF benefits, or alimoney/spousal support to be paid by your spouse. Also, if there are children involved, the father of any child is required by law to provide support for that child - even if he isn't your legal spouse, and even if your immigration status is illegal. The law protects the interests of the child.

 

But if my abuser reports me, won't I go to jail or be deported?

 

    If your abuser has already reported you, and deportation proceedings have begun, all is not lost. You may still be able to obtain a "cancellation of removal." 

 

But aren't I dependant on my spouse for getting a visa?

 

      Under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), spouses and children of US citizens or LPRs may self-petition to obtain lawful permanent residency. VAWA allows certain battered immigrants to file for immigration relief without the abuser's assistance or knowledge, in order to seek safety and independence from the abuser.

 

Here are some links that provide additional information on the History of

Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence:

 

• http://new.vawnet.org
• http://www.endabuse.org
• http://www.vitalvoices.org

 

Services in other languages :

Domestic Violence Hotline at:

1−800−799−SAFE (7233) or TTY 1−800−787−3224 or go to http://www.ndvh.org/get-help/

The National Domestic Violence Hotline receives more than 21,000 calls per month from victims, survivors, friends and family members, law enforcement personnel, domestic violence advocates and the general public. Hotline advocates provide support and assistance to anyone involved in a domestic violence situation, including those in same-sex relationships, male survivors, those with disabilities and immigrant victims of domestic violence. All calls to the National Domestic Violence Hotline are anonymous and confidential.

Services Include:

• Crisis intervention, safety planning, information about domestic violence and referrals to local service providers
• Direct connection to domestic violence resources available in the caller’s area provided by a Hotline advocate
• Assistance in both English and Spanish with Hotline advocates having access to more than 170 different languages through interpreter services 
• Assistance through e-mail
• Informational materials on such topics as domestic violence, sexual assault, battering intervention and prevention programs, working through the criminal justice system and related issue 

 

 

The Power and Control Wheel was developed from the experience of battered women in Duluth who had been abused by their male partners. It has been translated into over 40 languages and has resonated with the experience of battered women world-wide. http://www.theduluthmodel.org/wheelgallery.php

 

 

 

 

Who Is Researching This Problem?

 

 

Someone wishing to do so can find sound research about Immigrant women and domestic violence at any of the following websites:

 

 

http://new.vawnet.org/ 

 

 

 

 

  Who is advocating or educating on Domestic Violence and where can you find them?

          The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence is a huge advocator and educater on Domestic Violence. 

      FIND THEM AT    www.ncadv.org or http://www.ncadv.org/files/DomesticViolenceFactSheet%28National%29.pdf for facts about domestic violence.

                                                                                     THEIR MISSION STATEMENT

NCADV strives to make issues relating to battered women and children one of the top ten political and legislative issues in the U.S. We envision a time in the near future when political parties will include progressive domestic violence legislation as a major platform in their local, state, and national elections and use NCADV research and public policy expertise to inform them.

NCADV strives to unite all safe houses, shelters, battered women's and children's programs and local domestic violence services under NCADV's umbrella so that our unified voice is a powerful one and those underrepresented groups are heard.

NCADV strives to expand domestic and dating violence education and services to tribal, immigrant, lesbian, teens, disabled, older, Jewish, Muslim, women of color, and other populations that may yet be unidentified.

NCADV works to expand information on and respond to the impact of violence in the lives of children and youth.

NCADV strives to make the purple ribbon and the on-going domestic violence tragedy that the ribbon stands for an important and recognizable symbol in American life. We envision a time in the near future when domestic violence issues are aired on television, radio, in the press and in magazines with the same level of attention as the national struggles against Cancer and HIV/AIDS.

We envision a time in the near future when NCADV will play a leadership role in exporting to and importing from other countries around the world a model for how all nations can carry out their own efforts to end the global tragedy of domestic violence (copied  directly from their web page)

 

Some other advocaters are the Educating Against Domestic Violence - www.eadv.net  and  Feminist Majority Foundation -  www.feminist.org

 

 

Services for girls and women affected by Domestic Violence in Vancouver, Wa. and surrounding areas!

 

      The YWCA Clark County is there to support victims of domestic violence, homelessness, sexual assault, child abuse and neglect, and oppression, as well as youth in foster care and incarcerated women. Their web site is http://www.ywcaclarkcounty.org They also have a 24 hour Hotline which is 1-800-562-6025 for washington or 1-888-799-SAFE for the NATIONAL VIOLENCE HOTLINE.

 

     The Multnomah County Oregon DCHS is there to lend support for those affected by Domestic Violence.The Hotline Phone number for Oregon is 1-888-235-5333 or toll free for Portland, OR. 503-235-5333. Their website is www.co.multnomah.or.us/dchs/dv/

 

Here are more Links to websites providing additional information

regarding  Domestic Violence Against Intimate Partners

 

 

 

http://endabuse.org/section/programs/immigrant_women

 

 

http://www.aardvarc.org/dv/immigration.shtml

 

 

http://www.justicewomen.com/tips_immigrant_women.html

 

 

http://www.ndvh.org/is-this-abuse/information-for-immigrants/

 

 

http://www.co.clark.wa.us/sheriff/community/domestic.html

 

 

 

 What institutional changes are needed?

 

 

Legal system familiarization; Providing immigrants with comprehensive legal materials upon their arrival. A lack of knowledge regarding our laws as they apply to Immigrant victims of domestic violence can be used as a tool against the victim. Abusive partners may use the victim’s immigration status against her, in effect, threatening deportation and the possibility of seperation from chidren and other family members.

 

 

Inter-Departemantal Cooperation; Lack of cooperation between Voluntary Resettlement Agencies (VOLAGs) and Service providers create barriers since VOLAG's are Institutionally geared toward keeping Immigrant familie's together.

 

Improved Social services; Some of these improvements would be, Education regarding our Legal System, Providing Legal services or referral to accessible service providers, Confidential Counseling and Access to shelter, food, and economic resources.

 

This video courtesy of ourhumanrights.net  http://ourhumanrights.net/index.html

 

 What cultural/ideological changes are needed? 

 

Reduce Language barriers; Community service and Civil organizations, often lack the ability to communicate with a victim in an effort to provide them with effective services.

 

Improve Cultural Awareness; Service providers report that cultural incompetence and even discrimination against

victims by civil organizations (Such as the Police) create barriers when dealing with victims,

some are in this country seeking refuge from Police brutality so a lack of trust already exists. 

 

 

How can an ordinary person contribute to positive change?

 

Become informed of Community services directed towards ending violence against women.

 

If you speak a foreign dialect, volunteer to be a Translator, as language is a huge barrier.

 

If you are an immigrant talk to others in your community about the changes needed to end abuse.

 

Write letters to influential persons regarding misconceptions victims have that keep them from reporting their abuse. And express changes needed to address those misconceptions.