Characteristics of Help-Seeking Behaviors, Resources and Service Needs of Battered Immigrant Latinas: Legal and Policy Implications (original) (raw)

This Briefing Paper examines the obstacles for battered Latina women to preventing or escaping abuse and the services which are actually used to escape abuse. The Briefing Paper surveys the literature and then explores the results of a survey designed and conducted by the authors among Latinas in Washington, D.C. The results of the survey show that the most common services used by battered women are medical and social services not directly targeted on this population. The authors also set forth suggestions to professionals who come into contact with battered women. Because these women tend not to seek help specifically for domestic violence, professionals such as immigration lawyers and health care workers must have a heightened awareness of signs of abuse, and be sensitive to cultural differences, in order to elicit the truth about abuse from these women. In addition, literature and advertisements about abuse must be in Spanish, and must be available in all public service offices. Information about battering, protection orders, immigration and public benefits, and shelters and transitional housing must be disseminated throughout that community because these battered women most often turn to other women in their communities. Professionals must educate themselves

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