Community resource use among abused immigrant women: baseline data analysis for a 7-year prospective study

To determine the community resources most often used, most needed, and most difficult to use for immigrants.

A naturalistic study using principles of community-based participatory research.

A group of 106 abused immigrant women were interviewed in person with the Community Agency Use, Frequency, Helpfulness, and Difficulty form as part of a 7-year prospective study.

The most frequently noted service needed most was counseling (n = 34, 33.0%) followed by legal services (n = 23, 22.3%) and social services (n = 13, 12.6%). Law enforcement was the most commonly used service (n = 63, 59.4%) and the most difficult to receive (n = 16, 48.5%). Counseling (n = 6, 18.2%) and legal services (n = 5, 15.2%) were also reported as difficult.

Law enforcement is often called on to help in partner violence, but immigrant women report difficulty in using this service.

Abused immigrant women have risk factors for abuse, and they face barriers in accessing the services they need.

It is important for service providers in the community to be aware of the unique challenges of abused immigrant women and to address their needs accordingly.