Plight of Immigrant Women: Insecurity and Abuse

• NCJ Number: 190226
• Journal: Caribbean Journal of Criminology and Social Psychology Volume: 5 Issue: 1&2 Dated: January/July 2000 Pages: 260-264
• Author(s): Kamal Nair
• Date Published: 2000
• Length: 5 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description
• Language: English
• Country: Trinidad and Tobago
• Note: Excerpt of Address at Seminar on Domestic Violence and Public Policy in Trinidad and Tobago sponsored by the Centre for Criminology and Criminal Justice and Center for Gender and Development Studies, November 11, 1999, University of West Indies, St. Augustine Campus, Trinidad.

Annotation

This article explores the problem of domestic violence among immigrant women.

Abstract

Nearly one in three adult women experiences at least one physical assault by a partner during adulthood. Usually resulting from learned patterns of behavior; domestic violence is a social problem that can be reduced by strategic interventions. The major objective of the AASRA is to help the victims of domestic violence, who are mostly female. AASRA (meaning “shelter” in Hindi) is a shelter and support service for the victims of the South Asian community in the Bay Area, California. It is a 24-hour emergency shelter for providing counseling and protection for the victims and their children. Providing emergency shelter for up to 90 days at any given time, the services include the provision of food, clothing, individual or group counseling, case management, job and housing assistance, legal advice, assistance for restraining orders, social services and medical attention, information and referral services, and transportation. The community service also provides a 24-hour crisis intervention hotline. There are trauma centers set up in hospital emergency rooms so a victim who has sustained severe injury or sexual abuse can go directly there for assistance. One of the biggest challenges for the AASRA is to meet the linguistic diversity of clients since language plays a very big role in communities of South Asian origin. AASRA has not only sheltered women of South Asian origin but also less fortunate women of every race and ethnic background. This nonprofit organization started 12 years ago and is an umbrella organization for 70 affiliated organizations. Great emphasis is placed on providing victims with legal assistance and counseling. With the immigrant population, the insecurity of coming into a new environment impacts the traditional way of living. Counseling sessions help couples come together and talk about these insecurities and fears.