Domestic violence has been identified as taking place in a quarter of all marriages. Gendered power relations are reproduced and even worsened during migration, which makes more women vulnerable to different forms of gender-based violence following the migration process. Immigrant women are typically trapped in abusive relationships due to different factors, including immigration laws, language barriers, and the absence of a financial resource. Due to the increased dependence on their abusive partners, immigrant women are adversely affected by cases of domestic violence.
Domestic Violence and Immigrant Women
It is essential to consider the daily violence that immigrant women experience when they settle into a new country. The feminization of migration shows that a large number of women are migrating independently, but a considerable number of women still undergo migration for the reunification of families and marriage, which means that their residency within the new nation depends on their partners (Serratta et al., 2016). Moreover, when women are not able to work for themselves as a result of their dependency on their partners, it increases their isolation and vulnerability to their abusive partners. Most migrant women face difficulties when accessing existing human rights services structured to assist them. Based on a study assessing Latina Women in the U.S., 27% of immigrant women experiencing domestic violence established their fear of seeking help from the immigration authorities as to the main reason they still remain in an abusive relationship. 41% to 60% of respondents within another study in the U.S. reported experiences of domestic violence across their lifetime (Rai et al., 2018). These statistics show the extent to which immigrant women experience domestic violence, which hinders their development and ability from accessing things like education.
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Some immigrant women experience numerous challenges accessing government-funded classes as they have responsibilities with their children, jobs, or if their husbands are international students. Others lack support, and their abusive husbands prevent them from attending classes. Therefore, like all women, immigrant women are at great risk for domestic violence. Their immigration status increases their difficulty in escaping the abuse that they face. Serratta et al. (2016) state that married immigrant women experiences greater levels of physical and sexual abuse as compared to unmarried immigrant women. Therefore, the immigration status of immigrant women often increases their vulnerability to domestic violence.
Dynamics of Power, Privilege, and Oppression
Domestic violence is mainly propagated by the existence of patriarchal structures in the cultures or societies that they come from. Isolation may take place with ease for immigrant women since most have left their family members and friends once. When they enter a foreign land where they have no knowledge of the foreign language and culture, making them more susceptible to patriarchal power (Holtmann, 2016). In these confusing circumstances, they become susceptible to local males' dominance at both the emotional and physical level. Due to the isolation that the women experience, men gain the ability to have sole dominance over resources, which could provide the women with the legal, financial and emotional support they need (Rai et al., 2018). A large number of immigrant women experience social isolation, which increases their dependency on their abusive partners. This is mainly because abusive partners obtain momentum in power and control following the immigration experience, while the women lose the support of their loved ones at home.
Economic oppression that results from their immigrant status also propagates the experiences of domestic violence in immigrant women. Once in the host country, employment can enhance the bargaining power and control of women over the resources within their reach (Serratta et al. 2016). When a man's authority is diminished due to the increased economic status of the women, then conflict will take place. Immigrant women typically need to work double shifts within their host country while also being expected to contribute to domestic tasks within their homes while also conducting their productive roles within the labor market (Graca, 2017). Despite contributing considerably to the financial needs of their home, immigrant women are still expected to maintain traditional relations at home through actions such as doing chores. Hence, conflict may be an outcome of a women's greater independence and may result in an increased rate of domestic violence.
Immigration Reforms as a Solution
The main strategy that should be used to mitigate domestic violence against immigrant women is the application of immigration reform. Domestic violence against women is mainly propagated by the immigration status of those involved, which increased their dependence and reliance on their abusive partners. Immigration reform should be in the form of protection that involves increased access to visas, asylum, and full and immediate access to health and social workers (Holtmann, 2016). Reforms to existing immigration policies should also be directed to strengthening worker protections to include all employees within the country, despite their immigration status. Once worker protections have been strengthened, immigrant women that are victims of domestic violence can assert their human rights. A clear and broad roadmap to citizenship that identifies the contribution of undocumented female workers will support a decrease in the vulnerability of these women to exploitation and abuse.
Immigrant reform should also include the promotion of immigrant integration, which includes and empowers women by providing support services, such as language assistance, during the legalization process. This reform should also support alternatives to detention. This includes writing into law minimum standard conditions, at all forms of immigration detention facilities across the country, with the inclusion of zero tolerance for different types of violence and policies that support family unity (Graca, 2017). The adoption of comprehensive immigration reform would be critical in decreasing and preventing domestic violence against migrant women. The advances identified will only address one form of the equation in the elimination of violence towards women and girls across the world.
Significance of the Problem
Domestic violence is complex within any challenge. For the immigrant women, particularly, domestic violence has worsened over time and is magnified by their fear of seeking assistance and the cultural distinctions that characterize them. Addressing this problem, therefore, is essential to establish a form of social justice within the immigrant community. Social sustainability is essential to ensure that individual health and welfare, nutrition, shelter, education, and cultural needs have to be met (Gatenio et al., 2016). In this case, the human rights of immigrant women are considerably affected by their experiences of domestic violence. To ensure that social justice is restored, the occurrence of domestic violence has to be minimized. The primary social work values, like the right to human dignity, are important human rights values (Gatenio et al., 2016). Immigrant women have a right to have control over their own lives without being dependent on abusive partners. Only in this way will the community of immigrant women be truly supported. While decreasing the occurrence of domestic violence within this effect, social justice values have to be applied. Cultural considerations of the immigrant community being addressed also have to be taken into consideration.
Conclusion
The immigration status of immigrant women enhances the vulnerability of women to become victims of domestic violence. Immigrant women are less likely to seek help for domestic violence in comparison to other populations. Based on the challenges faced, the restoration of social justice within the community is essential. Governments should pursue policies that present safe communities for women while minimizing the need for women to remain with their abusive partners. Reforms to existing immigration legislation will reduce the dependence of immigrant women on their partners as well as the social isolation that they experience due to their immigrant status.
References
Gatenio, G. S., & Mapp, S. (2020). Teaching human rights and social justice in social work education. Journal of Social Work Education , 56 (3), 428-441.
Graca, S. (2017). Domestic violence policy and legislation in the U.K.: a discussion of immigrant women's vulnerabilities. European Journal of Current Legal Issues , 22 (1). http://webjcli.org/article/view/531
Holtmann, C. (2016). Christian and Muslim immigrant women in the Canadian Maritimes: Considering their strengths and vulnerabilities in responding to domestic violence. Studies in Religion/Sciences Religieuses , 45 (3), 397-414.
Rai, A., & Choi, Y. J. (2018). Socio-cultural risk factors impacting domestic violence among South Asian immigrant women: A scoping review. Aggression and Violent Behavior , 38 , 76-85.
Serrata, J. V., Hernandez-Martinez, M., & Macias, R. L. (2016). Self-empowerment of immigrant Latina survivors of domestic violence: A promotora model of community leadership. Hispanic Health Care International , 14 (1), 37-46.
