RT Article
T1 “We Weren’t Ready”: Provider Perspectives on Addressing Intimate Partner Violence Among Refugees and Immigrants in The United States
JF Journal of family violence
VO 37
IS 2
SP 235
OP 246
A1 Wachter, Karin
A2 Cook Heffron, Laurie
A2 Dalpe, Jessica
LA English
YR 2022
UL https://krimdok.uni-tuebingen.de/Record/1788419944
AB This study examined organizational factors influencing the availability and accessibility of IPV services for refugee and other vulnerable immigrant women in the U.S. from the perspectives of social service providers. This qualitative study used a purposive sampling approach to recruit 57 social service providers. Researchers analyzed data generated from individual interviews and focus group discussions using a thematic approach. The analysis generated four themes reflective of structural and systemic factors shaping the availability and accessibility of IPV services for immigrant and refugee women in the U.S.: (1) We weren’t ready, (2) No place to go, (3) Time is not on our side, and (4) Can’t do it alone. The analysis illuminated the extent to which service demands outweighed organizational capacities and the rigidity of service timelines that failed to meet needs. A pervasive thread of ethical dilemmas emerged, affecting the availability and accessibility of services. Overall, the findings form a compelling argument for structural shifts in policy and funding, and for fostering strong inter-sectoral coordination to combat barriers to services. The study reiterates the importance of addressing inter-agency collaboration in IPV research, policy, and practice.
K1 Coalition building
K1 Inter-organizational coordination
K1 Refugee resettlement
K1 domestic violence
DO 10.1007/s10896-021-00285-2