New insights into domestic violence in ethnic and sexual minority populations

KING COUNTY, WA - Today, Public Health - Seattle & King County and five community-based providers to victims of domestic violence issued a groundbreaking report on domestic violence that examines the experiences of ethnic and sexual minority populations in King County.

"Too often these groups of abused women have been overlooked," said Dr. Alonzo Plough, Director of Public Health - Seattle & King County. "With this report, our community will be better able to serve these populations."

The report, "Addressing Domestic Violence in Ethnic and Hard to Reach Populations," is based on a study of African American, Urban Indian (Native American), Cambodian, Ethiopian, Filipina, Latina, Russian and Vietnamese women as well as lesbian, bisexual women and transgendered people.

"I was particularly disturbed by the extent of acceptance and the belief that domestic violence was a normal condition reported by many of these brave women," stated Ralph Forquera, Executive Director for the Seattle Indian Health Board. "The whole idea of an accepted culture of violence in our society, particularly from those we supposedly care most about, raises larger questions deserving of our attention."

All women faced barriers accessing services, including:

• isolation from family and friends
• language barriers
• lack of economic resources
• feelings of shame and humiliation
• belief that abuse is "normal"
• threats by the abuser
• a commitment to keeping the family together

"We found that each group has its specific challenges," said Sue Wilkes, Executive Director of Refugee Women's Alliance. "In some cases, even if help is available, there are issues of culture and language which limit a woman's ability to access services."

Among refugee and immigrant women, the following were particular challenges to seeking and accessing services:

• lack of language and culture specific services
• threats based on immigration and visa status
• the use of minority status and language competence against women

"The system needs to respond to these women in a culturally competent manner," said Dr. Shiu-Thornton, University of Washington researcher and co-principal investigator. "These women need social support, material support, education, training, childcare and transportation as well as expanded access to culture and language specific services."

Public Health has made recommendations at the policy, service and community levels:

• Reduce barriers for non-mainstream women trying to use the criminal justice system.
• Support and expand community-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate services for non-mainstream women.
• Provide more housing of all types, including emergency shelter, transitional housing, and long-term affordable housing.
• Expand community-based domestic violence services to help victims and survivors access education, jobs, and job training programs so they may become independent.
• Develop and implement culturally and linguistically appropriate educational programs that inform about domestic violence and promote healthy family relationships.

The report includes other recommendations, and points out that racism, homophobia and economic discrimination need to be addressed. The groups involved in the study are already incorporating the recommendations into their work.

Connie Burke, the Executive Director of the Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans and Lesbian Survivors of Abuse added, "Women's needs are not only about services, they are also about community building."

Public Health - Seattle & King County completed this research project, funded by the National Institute of Justice, in partnership with University of Washington's School of Public Health and Community Medicine, City of Seattle Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Office, Consejo Counseling Services, East Cherry YWCA, Northwest Network of Bisexual, Trans and Lesbian Survivors of Abuse, Refugee Women's Alliance, and Seattle Indian Health Board.

View the complete report, Cultural issues affecting domestic violence service utilization in ethnic and hard to reach populations (PDF).

For those affected by or who want to learn more about domestic violence, please visit the King County Domestic Violence Information Web site or call 206-205-5555.