OP / ED
The following article is the final installment of a five-week series focusing on raising awareness about domestic violence. Oct. is Domestic Violence Awareness month, and we hope to educate our community on this very critical issue. In our communities, the Hays-Caldwell Women’s Center has been serving victims of domestic and dating violence, sexual assault and child abuse since 1978. Last year, HCWC served 2,060 victims of abuse (face-to-face) primarily from Hays and Caldwell Counties. 1,044 of those were victims of domestic violence.
As violence remains prevalent within our communities, we are continuously reminded that violence does not discriminate based on age, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, etc. Unfortunately, that is true for our immigrant survivors as well. Immigrants suffering from domestic violence are faced with another layer of challenges while in the U.S., however, resources and assistance do exist.
An immigrant’s risk for victimization, regardless of their abuser’s citizenship status, is heightened due to a lack of support, language barriers, isolation, cultural expectations, financial dependency, gender roles and much more. Something that remains consistent in almost every abusive relationship is the power and control dynamics used by the abusive partner. Abuse may reveal itself as threatening, isolating and intimidating.
Immigrant survivors often experience threats that are made to instill fear and intimidation. This includes threats to report their partner to immigration for deportation or threatening to withdraw their petition for citizenship. An abusive partner can also attempt to destroy or limit access to their partner’s important documents or documents from their native country.
Isolation is commonly used to maintain control. Often when survivors migrate, they must leave their extended family. This results in a loss of their support system which can make it difficult to rebuild that support in a foreign country. Another factor that can be utilized to further isolate is the language barrier that might exist. The abusive partner might not allow the survivor to learn the common language used which will limit their partner’s access to resources that can assist.
Often when the abusive partner has citizenship, and the survivor is trying to obtain citizenship it can result in a power dynamic that negatively affects their partner. Survivors may be faced with their partners sabotaging their chances for citizenship or residency. This can be failing to file paperwork, continued threats to withdraw assistance, interfering with appointments or misinforming on policies and resources. These behaviors can be added to the list of barriers that restrict a survivor from not only seeking immigration assistance but from leaving the relationship or seeking any kind of help.
The efforts an abusive partner takes to ensure their partner remains in the home and relationship is solely for their gain. As advocates and allies, we can act in different ways to ensure survivors, regardless of identity and background, are assisted. Spreading and gaining awareness on the issue is the first step we can do to take action. We can identify and help the survivor get connected with local agencies that offer advocacy and counseling services. Staying up to date with policies and legislation that impact a survivor’s rights and citizenship is important. With these efforts, we can spread awareness, information and assistance to communities in need and hope to decrease violence in our communities.
All HCWC’s services are available in both English and Spanish and we have access to translators and staff that are fluent in other languages as well. If you or someone you know needs help with an abusive relationship, please call our 24-hour HELPline at 512-3964357 to talk to our advocates and learn more about advocacy, counseling, and group therapy options for survivors.
