Health at the Intersections of Precarious Documentation Status and Gender-Based Partner Violence

Abstract

This article is based on qualitative research investigating Spanish-speaking immigrant women’s experiences of gender-based intimate partner violence (GBPV) and help seeking in New Jersey (2006-2008). Methods included interviews with these women, health care and social service providers, and community members. This article reveals that as many immigrant women live at the intersections of structural, normalized, and gender-based partner violence, integrated social service responses emerge as key health care responses to GBPV. The health impacts of undocumented and precariously documented migration and GBPV demand policy interventions and dedication of resources to address the multi-faceted needs of this population.

Keywords

cultural competence gender-based intimate partner violence against women health care immigrants Latinas

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