Women with a migrant background facing intimate partner violence (IPV): Implications for social work from an intersectional perspective

The chapter explores the link between migrant background and intimate partner violence (IPV), considering the notion of intersectionality (Crenshaw, 1989). The focus will be placed on women with a migrant background who have suffered violence, recognising that their experiences are determined by multiple levels of oppression and discrimination that intersect and include cultural and socio-economic factors. Existing research examining women’s experiences highlights several issues that influence their ability to seek help and are therefore relevant to social work. In the first part, the chapter aims to explore some elements related to the individual sphere of women with a migrant background facing domestic violence, such as the link between gender identity and culture, language, and family situation, as well as some risk factors related to structural dynamics, such as poverty, residence status, and isolation. Subsequently, it proposes an analysis of how the above issues affect the ability of services to respond adequately to women’s specific needs. Finally, the implications of the proposed considerations for practice are highlighted, emphasising the importance of both practitioners and researchers engaging in dialogue with people’s experiences to prevent preconceived meanings from guiding their actions.