“No Safe Spaces”: The Retraumatization and Dehumanization of Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence in the United States
Author/Creator ORCID
Date
Type of Work
Department
Program
Citation of Original Publication
Nayak, Sameera S., Xenia Efimov, Collette N. Ncube, John Griffith, and Beth E. Molnar. “‘No Safe Spaces’: The Retraumatization and Dehumanization of Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence in the United States.” Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies 0, no. 0 (2023): 1–16. https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2023.2278055.
Rights
This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of Immigrant & Refugee Studies on 05 Dec 2023, available online: https://doi.org/10.1080/15562948.2023.2278055.
Access to this item will begin on 12-05-2024.
Access to this item will begin on 12-05-2024.
Abstract
Immigrants in the United States suffer high rates of domestic violence (DV). Using data from six focus groups with 38 DV service providers, we examined how immigrant survivors navigate an often-hostile political climate and identified structural barriers to healing and help-seeking. Findings indicated that structural discrimination, social exclusion, and dehumanization compound existing trauma and negatively impact survivors’ well-being. Results underscore the need to restructure pathways of immigration relief such as the U Visa and the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Self-Petition. Structural interventions targeting the immigration system and enhancing access to more secure legal status could serve to augment population health.