Intimate Partner Violence Among Muslim Immigrant Communities

Violence against women is not bound by culture, class, or geographic borders. Immigrants experience intimate partner violence as well. When examining immigrant populations, many unique factors influence whether a victim can receive or seek help. Language barriers may prevent a victim from disclosing abuse, and being in a foreign land can compound the feelings of isolation and helplessness that victims feel. Immigrants who are undocumented may fear deportation, if they seek help from official authorities. Intimate partner violence is never acceptable. However, what constitutes intimate partner violence (IPV) may have different interpretations among cultures.