Statistics

The Immigrant Power & Control Wheel

Laws

Safety Planning

Resources

Prevalence of Domestic Violence

• Around the world, at least 1 in every 3 women has been beaten, coerced into sex or otherwise abused during her lifetime.

 • Intimate partner violence in the U.S. is primarily a crime

against women. In 2001, women accounted for 85% of the victims of intimate partner violence (588,490 total) and men accounted for approximately 15% of the victims (103,220 total).

Source: Family Violence Prevention Fund, available at http://endabuse.org/resources/facts/. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.

Prevalence of Domestic Violence within Immigrant Populations in the U.S.

Immigrant women are disproportionately represented among female victims of male-partner-perpetrated homicide. •  A study in New York City found that 51% of intimate partner homicide

victims were immigrants.  • Recent studies with Latina, South Asian, and Korean immigrants

demonstrate that 30% to 50% of these women have been sexually or physically victimized by a male intimate partner.

 • 12.8% of Asian and Pacific Islander women reported experiencing

physical assault by an intimate partner at least once during their lifetime; 3.8% reported having been raped.

Sources: 1) Raj, A. & Silverman, J. (2002). Violence against immigrant women. Violence Against Women, 8(3): 367-398; 2) Family Violence Prevention Fund, Facts on Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence, available at http://endabuse.org/resources/facts/. Accessed Nov 12, 2008.

The Burden of Violence is NOT Distributed Equally

Marginalized members of our society are more vulnerable to violence from individuals and the state: • Domestic Violence• Police Brutality• Deportation • Violations of Civil and Human Rights

 

Domestic Violence in the Real World

Society provides different levels of protection for individuals and communities depending on: • Race• Class• Immigration Status• Sexual Orientation• Gender

  

Lack of Protection leads to Mistrust

People come to mistrust governmental authorities and formal sources of help because:

• Criminalization of people of color• Services that do not recognize the complex realities of

people's lives• Reports regarding abuse of power are not taken seriously• People are viewed negatively rather than seen as having

strengths   Source: Dr. Beth Richie, University of Illinois at Chicago

Mistrust leads to More Abuse

• Abusers know they can get away with the abuse• People experiencing abuse may delay seeking help• Cycle of Violence continues

The Immigrant Power and Control Wheel

Interactions among individuals, culture, and laws

Source: National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence

Types of Abuse

• Physical Abuse• Threats• Intimidation• Emotional Abuse• Isolation• Economic Abuse• Using Power and Priviledge

  

Planning to Leave an Abusive Situation

There are four main issues one must consider when making preparations to leave an abuser:

1. Take only those things necessary for survival.   2. Take any evidence to offer as proof of abuse.

3. If there are children in the household they also need to     be kept safe.   4. Have a plan of where to go to seek help.

Survival Essentials

Be sure to bring the following items for yourself and your children, if you have them. Please note, depending on age and immigration status, some of these may not apply to you.• Identification: Photo identification, driver's license and registration, passports,

birth certificates, social security cards, green card or alien registration card, work permits.

 • Records: Children's school and vaccination records, welfare paperwork, medical

insurance, proof of vehicle ownership, court documents, medical records. • Resources: Cash, credit cards, checkbooks, bankbooks, ATM cards, small

valuables than can be pawned for cash. • Contact information: Telephone/address books, including contact information for

victims' service providers and shelters. • Practical items: Clothing, your cell phone, house and car keys, small items for

any children who are traveling with you. • Sentimental items: Photographs and other small items that are irreplaceable.

(This is completely optional).

Depending on how long violence has been occurring and whether reports have been filed, you may or may not have many of these items. The more evidence you have the better, but even if you do not have many of these items, do not worry. Whatever you do have should be taken with you when you leave.

 • Documentation: Copies of police and/or medical reports, court protection orders,

hospital records documenting treatment for injuries (even if you did not tell anyone what actually happened).

 • Physical evidence: Photographs of injuries, property (or photos that show) damage

from violent episodes. • Testimony: Diaries or journals that record episodes of violence, contact information

for medical personnel, mental health professionals.  • Contact information: Telephone/address books, victims' service providers and

shelters.

Proof of Violence

Child Support Issues

If you have children with your partner who remain in your sole custody, you are entitled to receive child support from their biological parent. In order to file for these benefits you will need the following information. You may be able to bring these items with you when you leave or you may petition the court to obtain them once you are safely away.

• The social security number of your partner.

 • A copy of your partner's most recent pay stub.

 • Contact information for your partner's place of employment.

 • Copies of your partner's tax returns for the past three years (note that these

may be filed jointly with you or separately).

 • Proof of parentage--child's birth certificate and/or any other documentation

certifying biological kinship.

Two Options for Immigrant Women and Children: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) & U-Visa

 According to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC): "VAWA allows an abused spouse or child of a United States Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident to self-petition for lawful status in the U.S., receive employment authorization and access health benefits. VAWA provides domestic violence survivors with the means that are essential to escaping violence and establishing safe, independent lives. ILRC has co-authored the VAWA Manual, a 14-chapter step-by-step guide to VAWA to assist advocates working on VAWA cases." "U Visa interim relief is now available for immigrant victims of certain crimes who are helpful to law enforcement in either investigation or prosecution of the crime."For more information, please visit http://www.ilrc.org/vawa.php

The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

Immigrant women who seek refuge under VAWA will need the following:

• Work permits, visa applications, green cards, and immigration papers for herself and children

• Copies of INS and ICE documents• Marriage license and certificate of marriage, also divorce papers (if

applicable)• Birth certificates or other proof of paternity records for children• Identification, passports, state ID cards, social security cards• Court documents that pertain to the case• Photographs, wedding invitations, love letters• Paperwork regarding any jointly owned property or rental

agreements• Proof that you and your partner resided together (bills, receipts,

deeds, etc).

But People are Resilient!

Despite the abuse people experience, they are still able to: • Go to work• Care for their families• Seek help from friends and family• Demand accountability from police and social service

agencies• Cope with fear and pain• Use strategies to protect themselves and their loved ones

 People are strong and courageous!  

We can help by supporting survivors of abuse

Resources

Emergency:Local Police, Fire Dept., Medical Care....................................................911

Social Service Organizations:Child Abuse Hotline................................................................................(800) 422-4453                                                        National Domestic Violence Hotline........................................................(800) 799-7233

Asian Women's Shelter..........................................................................(877) 751-0880

SAKHI: For South Asian Women............................................................(212) 868-6741

Government: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)      www.ice.gov

US Citizenship & Immigration Services                www.uscis.gov           (800) 375-5283