Unfortunately, Domestic Violence impacts everyone in all countries and people of all genders. Domestic Violence (DV) is a pattern of behavior in any relationship that is used to gain or maintain power and control that happens in a house. DV is not limited to romantic relationships and can happen in any household setting. This is different from Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) because IPV can happen anywhere- two people do not need to be living with each other in this kind of violence. IPV occurs within romantic or intimate relationships and can affect individuals of all genders and sexual orientations. Lastly Gender Based Violence (GBV) is a form of violence directed at someone because of their gender. GBV is rooted in gender inequality, power imbalances, and cultural norms, affecting women, girls, and marginalized groups disproportionately.
Domestic violence is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across social, economic, and racial lines. However, immigrant communities often face unique barriers rooted in cultural dynamics, power imbalances, and systemic inequities, which can leave women particularly vulnerable.
In Canada, over 40% of women report experiencing some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) since the age of 15, according to Statistics Canada (2019). Immigrant and ethnocultural minority women face increased risks due to factors such as isolation, language barriers, and fear of jeopardizing their immigration status. While data on men’s experiences is limited, studies consistently show that women in immigrant communities experience higher rates of domestic violence compared to their male counterparts.
Research shows huge disparities: 29.7% of Latinx immigrant women report experiencing physical domestic violence compared to 27.1% of men, while for South Asian immigrant communities, the rates are 57% for women versus 41% for men. Similarly, among East Asian immigrants, 15.3% of women report being affected compared to 11.5% of men (Rai & Choi, 2021). These figures are not only alarming but call for the urgent need for culturally responsive support services.
Canadian organizations such as the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS), Women’s Shelters Canada, Sagesse, and the Canadian Women’s Foundation are at the forefront of addressing these challenges. They provide vital resources, including detailed insights on shelter availability, culturally sensitive support programs, and initiatives aimed at combating gender-based violence.
The ACWS, for example, does not operate as a shelter but it collects data from shelters across Alberta to track service usage and identify gaps in support systems. Similarly, Women’s Shelters Canada offers resources that highlight the systemic barriers immigrant and racialized women face when seeking help. These organizations, alongside others like Sagesse—which focuses on peer support and education—play a crucial role in empowering survivors and driving systemic change.
There is a need for adequate resources and support that can effectively address the unique challenges and circumstances faced by racial and ethnic minority communities. For women of color, higher rates of unemployment, language barriers, increased rates of poverty, and fear of deportation serve as additional obstacles when trying to access victim services following a victimization.
The Battered Women’s Movement has made significant progress in providing victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) with access to services such as intervention programs and residential shelters. However, an evaluation of these services reveals that many racial and ethnic minority survivors often avoid seeking help due to a variety of reasons, including:
- Limited access to culturally and linguistically appropriate services
- Few service providers who reflect the survivor’s identity or share similar lived experiences
- Deep-rooted mistrust stemming from the historical impacts of racism and classism in the United States (Oregon Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, 2018)
- A shortage of bilingual staff, culturally relevant materials, and specialized training necessary to effectively support Latina clients (National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence, 2004).
Hulley et al., 2023 presented this model to discuss the drivers of ethnic minority women’s difficulties in exiting violent relationships.
There are many reasons why ethnocultural minority women may not report gender-based violence (GBV) or seek help from professionals. These include fears such as having their children removed, deportation, police brutality, racial discrimination, and a lack of trust in formal services and systems. Additionally, socio-economic challenges like employment and housing instability often push women to rely on informal support networks rather than formal services.
Other barriers include cultural acceptance of abuse, concerns about family honor and shame, religious or spiritual beliefs, racial stereotypes, immigration-related fears, isolation from social networks, language barriers, lack of awareness about legal rights and available services, distrust of law enforcement, and threats involving child custody. These factors collectively make it even harder for minority ethnic and immigrant women to seek the help they need (Hulley et al., 2023).
How to promote cultural sensitivity?
- Education and Awareness
Raising awareness about domestic violence and its impact on women within specific cultural communities is crucial. Culturally sensitive educational programs can challenge myths and misconceptions about abuse, fostering open and informed discussions. - Collaborative Partnerships
Building strong partnerships with community leaders, religious organizations, and cultural groups is essential. Engaging respected figures within these communities helps build trust and creates pathways for support and intervention. - Tailored Support Services
Providing support services that align with the cultural values and beliefs of the community can help victims feel more comfortable seeking help. Services should be multilingual and delivered by culturally competent professionals who understand the community’s needs. - Addressing Unique Challenges
Recognizing the unique challenges faced by women in diverse cultural contexts is critical. Gender roles, taboos, or customs may limit a woman’s ability to leave abusive situations. Understanding these factors allows for tailored and effective support. - Empowerment and Agency
Empowering women to make their own decisions while honoring their cultural identity is essential. Support should be nonjudgmental and free of stereotypes, fostering a sense of agency and self-determination. - Respectful Communication
Sensitive and respectful communication is key when supporting survivors. Avoid making assumptions and prioritize active listening to create a safe and supportive environment where they feel heard. - Trauma-Informed Care
Providing trauma-informed care that acknowledges the profound impact of abuse is vital. This approach recognizes that survivors may have different responses to support based on their cultural background, and it adapts interventions to meet those diverse needs. - Collaboration with Community Leaders
Partnering with community leaders is a powerful way to address cultural barriers. These respected figures can play a key role in raising awareness, advocating for survivors, and reducing stigma around seeking help. Their involvement can encourage more victims to come forward. In Canada, community-based organizations frequently work alongside cultural and religious leaders to engage and support diverse communities effectively. - Legal Protection and Policies
Canada has strong legal protections for domestic violence survivors. Governments and organizations should work to ensure that these protections are accessible to all survivors, regardless of their cultural background or immigration status. This includes providing safe reporting mechanisms and ensuring that survivors are not at risk of deportation when they seek help. The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act includes provisions to protect survivors of domestic violence. - Safe and Confidential Reporting
Creating safe and confidential ways for survivors to report abuse is crucial. This can include anonymous hotlines, online reporting tools, and discreet support services that protect the survivor’s privacy. Organizations like Assaulted Women’s Helpline provide confidential support to survivors across Canada.
What are we doing to become more culturally sensitive?
Through various discussions, it became clear that Alberta currently lacks culturally specific domestic violence prevention programs tailored to immigrant communities. Furthermore, no existing programs empower immigrant youth to take on leadership roles as facilitators in domestic violence prevention. The multicultural immigrant edition of the Leading Change™ Program addresses this gap. Adapted from the original program by the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters (ACWS), this edition was co-developed with input from community organizations. The collaborative process includes sessions for curriculum modifications and content development. The Immigrant Youth Leading Curriculum was created in the summer of 2024. Phase 2 kickstarted in fall 2024 with Aiman Zaheen (GBV Project Lead from Maskan Family Association) and Joe Campbell (ACWS leading change facilitator) delivering the immigrant edition of the Leading Change™ Program to different organizations across Alberta.
Learn more at: https://maskanfamily.com/immigrant-youth-leading-change
Resources:
- Domestic Violence Statistics – The hotline
- Providing Culturally Relevant Services to Victims of Domestic Violence – virginia.gov
- Rai, A., & Choi, Y. J. (2021) Domestic violence victimization among South Asian immigrant men and women in the United States. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, (37)17–18), NP15532–NP15567. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F08862605211015262
- Hulley, J., Bailey, L., Kirkman, G., Gibbs, G. R., Gomersall, T., Latif, A., & Jones, A. (2023). Intimate Partner Violence and Barriers to Help-Seeking Among Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Immigrant Women: A Qualitative Metasynthesis of Global Research. Trauma, violence & abuse, 24(2), 1001–1015. https://doi.org/10.1177/15248380211050590
- Embracing Cultural Sensitivity in Addressing Domestic Violence – thediamondplace.org
- Cultural Barriers for Domestic Violence Survivors – steppingstonessociety.ca
- What Is Domestic Abuse? – un.org
- Intimate partner violence – canada.ca