Service providers’ perspectives on help-seeking among Black Immigrant women experiencing domestic violence: An Exploratory Study
Date
2023-10-13
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Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of domestic violence (DV) service providers regarding the effectiveness of domestic violence services, as well as the factors that influence domestic violence survivors’ decisions when accessing such services. To achieve this, a hermeneutic phenomenology approach was used to explore the perspectives of ten service providers on the support resources available to Black immigrant survivors and the adequacy of these services. The results of this qualitative research revealed that Black immigrant women face numerous barriers when seeking help for domestic violence, such as language barriers, fear of deportation, cultural barriers, financial challenges, and lack of knowledge of available resources and services. Additionally, the Westernized views on domestic violence of service providers and the delivery of Westernized services and programs hinder help-seeking. Despite the availability of numerous services and support for domestic violence survivors, service providers often fail to recognize the intersections of racism, classism, and sexism that uniquely impact Black immigrant survivors and present a ‘one size fits all’ approach to service delivery. The findings underscore the importance of critically examining the types of services and interventions offered by DV service providers to ensure they are appropriate and effective in serving the needs of Black immigrant survivors of DV. The study participants provided recommendations to facilitate positive experiences for Black immigrant survivors receiving formal services. The implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
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Keywords
Domestic violence, Service providers, Help-seeking, Immigrant survivors, Black Immigrant women, Services, Perceptions
Citation
Asante, B. O. (2023). Service providers’ perspectives on help-seeking among black immigrant women experiencing domestic violence: an exploratory study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.