Immigrants often see peril in reporting domestic abuse

Language barriers, cultural differences and lack of information keep many women tied to abusive spouses. Help is available.

January 25, 2010

Indian immigrant Rumi Jaggi said she didn't report the abuse in part because of cultural expectations that she would stay married. R.M. said she didn't leave her husband because she spoke only Mandarin and relied on him to pay the bills. Concepcion Arellano said she endured abuse because she feared deportation.

Though Los Angeles County law enforcement agencies and community organizations have made advances in responding to domestic violence in immigrant communities, attorneys and advocates say many victims still face obstacles in reporting abuse and seeking help.

Language barriers, financial dependence and lack of information keep victims from coming forward. And those here illegally worry about being sent back to their native countries.

Many victims do not know that they may be eligible for special visas for victims of crime and domestic violence.

"There is so much fear of contacting authorities for fear of being deported," said Olivia Rodriguez, executive director of the Los Angeles County Domestic Violence Council. That is paramount with most domestic violence victims who are not here legally or are in the process of becoming citizens."

Here is the link for the full article
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-dom-violence25-2010jan25,0,7486115.story

Posted by [Julio Navarro)