Special Collection: Immigrant Women and Sexual Violence
Table of Contents:
Introduction | Back to top
This collection addresses some of the problems faced by immigrant women survivors of sexual violence in the United States. Additionally, this collection provides resources and tools for immigrant women and service providers who assist them, such as advocates, lawyers, and medical professionals. The annotated bibliography includes resources on many immigrant communities to highlight strategies that may be successful in stopping violence against immigrant women.
The immigrant population in the U.S. is diverse, and the barriers and challenges faced by immigrant women who experience sexual violence vary. This special collection is not comprehensive, and the documents included in this collection do not cover all immigrant communities. Rather, this collection highlights the common experiences of immigrant women who are victims of sexual violence, the legal protections and public benefits available, and practices and suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of services provided to immigrant women. This collection is also limited to documents that are freely available online.
We intend to update this special collection regularly and add new documents as they become available. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and information about documents for this special collection. Please submit your comments via VAWnet’s online contact form.
This collection was developed by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, and complements the parallel collection, Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence.
Immigrant women in the United States | Back to top
This section provides background information on women who immigrate to the United States and what is unique about their experience as women. Additionally, it provides documents that highlight sexual violence against women globally.
- Immigrant Women in the United States: A Demographic Portrait |
PDF (28 p.)
by Susan C. Pearce, American Immigration Law Foundation, Immigration Policy Center (2006)
The following report discusses the migration of women to the United States while considering how that experience differs for men and women.
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- Immigrant Women |
HTML (4 p.)
by Elizabeth Grieco, Migration Policy Institute (2002)
Since the early 1990s, there have been more female than male immigrants to the United States. This spotlight examines some of the characteristics of this important group of immigrants.
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- Not a Minute More: Ending Violence Against Women | PDF (114 p.)
by United Nations Development Fund for Women (2003)
This publication surveys gender-based violence from various nations around the world to provide an in-depth picture of the various forms of violence experienced by women.
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- Global Perspectives on Sexual Violence: Findings from the World Report on Violence and Health | PDF (20 p.)
by National Sexual Violence Resource Center (2004)
This report seeks to offer a glimpse of the "serious global public health problem" that is sexual violence as well as promising practices and opportunities for those working to end sexual violence.
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Sexual violence in immigrant communities | Back to top
Sexual violence can take many forms in various immigrant communities, including but not limited to sexual assault, forced marriage, and female genital mutilation. The following resources address some of the sexual violence issues facing diverse immigrant communities.
Sexual Assault
- Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women Affected by Rape or Sexual Violence: a Literature Review |
by Refugee Council (February 2009)
The review summarizes the learning from the Refugee Council Vulnerable Women’s Project and situates that learning within the wider context of what is known about rape and sexual violence.
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- Power and Control Tactics used against Immigrant Women |
by Futures Without Violence
This document describes some of the tactics used to abuse immigrant women. These include emotional abuse, economic abuse, sexual abuse, using coercion and threat, intimidation, isolation, and blaming women for inciting violence.
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- NCRW Big Five: Under the Radar – Immigrant Women and Violence |
by The National Council for Research on Women
This document notes that intimate partner violence and exploitative work conditions are the two most common forms of abuse experienced by immigrant women. However, language, cultural, economic and legal barriers intersect and prevent help-seeking.
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- Abuses Endured by a Woman During Her Life Cycle |
by Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence (2000)
This document is an illustration describing the violence that may happen throughout the lives of Asian and Pacific Islander women during the life stages of infancy, childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, adulthood and later life.
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- Nowhere to Turn? Responding to Partner Violence against Immigrant and Visible Minority Women |
by Voices of Frontline Workers (2004)
This paper examines the particular vulnerabilities of immigrant and minority women who have experienced violence by their partners.
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Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)
- Use of Indicators in the Campaign Against Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), 2nd edition |
by Inter-African Committee on Traditional Practices (2003)
This collection of indicators was designed to assist anti-female genital mutilation (FGM) efforts in outreach initiatives, training, advocacy, and program evaluation.
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- Legislation on Female Genital Mutilation in the United States |
by Center for Reproductive Rights (November 2004)
This document defines various forms of female genital mutilation (FGM) and provides details on federal and state legislation on FGM.
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- Asylum Law and Female Genital Mutilation: Recent Developments |
by Congressional Research Service (CRS) Intelligence and Related Issues (February 2008)
This article summarizes the legal controversy surrounding FGM and asylum.
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- Prevalence of the Practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM); Laws Prohibiting FGM and Their Enforcement; Recommendations on How to Best Work to Eliminate FGM |
by Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues, Office of the Under Secretary for Global Affairs, U.S. Department of State (2001)
This report provides detail on types and prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM), as well as the responses of various countries and the international community to the practice.
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- Female Genital Mutilation |
by American Academy of Pediatrics (1998)
Immigrants in the United States from areas where female genital mutilation (FGM) is endemic may have daughters who have undergone a ritual genital procedure or may request that a procedure be performed by a physician.
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- Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) |
by International Council of Nurses (February 2008)
This fact sheet details various types of female genital mutilation (FGM) and lists sociological reasons as to why the practice persists.
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- Eliminating Female genital mutilation: An interagency statement |
by OHCHR, UNAIDS, UNDP, UNECA, UNESCO,UNFPA, UNHCR, UNICEF, UNIFEM, & WHO (2008)
This joint Statement is a call to all States, international and national organizations, civil society and communities to uphold the rights of girls and women.
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Sexual violence during the process of immigration | Back to top
Women face many dangers en route to their destination countries, including sex trafficking, sexual assault in detention facilities, and sexual violence in refugee camps. The following resources discuss some of the many forms of sexual violence that immigrants and refugees may face during the immigration process.
Trafficking
- Global Report on Trafficking in Persons |
by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2008)
Based on data gathered from 155 countries, this report offers the first global assessment of the scope of human trafficking.
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- Sex Trafficking of Women in the United States: International and Domestic Trends |
by Co-principal investigators Janice G. Raymond and Donna M. Hughes, Coalition Against Trafficking in Women (March 2001)
Research concentrates on the trafficking of women within the US. Topics include sections that define the problem of human trafficking, research aims and methods, operations of the sex industry, and the background of women in the sex industry in the US.
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- Trafficking in Persons Report |
by United States Department of State (2008)
Including information about 170 countries, this is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons.
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- The Exploitation of Trafficked Women |
by Graeme R. Newman, Community Oriented Policing Services, U.S. Department of Justice (2006)
This guidebook is designed for law enforcement officials working with victims of trafficking; the four stages of human trafficking are discussed and recommendations for the response to victims of trafficking are addressed.
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- Human Trafficking: Sexual Exploitation, Prostitution and Brokered Marriages |
by Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV) and Wisconsin Coalition Against Sexual Assault (October 2007)
This special edition of WCASA's Connections and WCADV's Educational Journal looks at the relationship between trafficking, sexual violence, and the sex industry through several articles.
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- Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights aspects of the victims of trafficking in persons, especially women and children |
by Sigma Huda, Special Rapporteur, A/HRC/4/23 (January 2007)
This article addresses the issue of “forced marriage” through the context of trafficking in persons by defining its nature and forms and by analyzing its foundation as a reason for or a result of trafficking. Protection and prevention measures discussed.
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- Taking Stock: A review of the existing research on trafficking for sexual exploitation |
by Guri Tyldum, Marianne Tveit, and Anette Brunovskis, Fafo (2005)
This document reviews the current knowledge on trafficking for sexual exploitation to and within Europe, giving an overview of and insight into the main trends in research in this field.
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- Human Trafficking: Modern Enslavement of Immigrant Women in the United States |
by Women's Rights Project (2007)
This fact sheet is in a question and answer format. Some of the questions along with their answers are: What is human trafficking? What drives the trafficking industry? What judicial remedies are available to victims of trafficking?
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- Hidden Slaves: Forced Labor in the United States |
by Free the Slaves and Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley (September 2004)
This research study covers the nature and scope of forced labor in the United States, focuses on particular efforts to understand and address the problem, and recommends measures to improve the US response and assistance.
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Borders & Detention
- Borders on Belonging: Gender and Immigration |
by Barnard Center for Research on Women (Summer 2008)
This web journal examines the role that mainstream media plays in perpetuating negative stereotypes and widespread fear of immigrants.
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- Sexual Abuse in U.S. Immigration Detention |
by Just Detention International (January 2009)
This brief fact sheet talks about the risk of sexual abuse that immigration detainees face and the difficulty of seeking assistance.
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- No Refuge Here: A First Look at Sexual Abuse in Immigration Detention |
by Stop Prisoner Rape (2004)
This report provides information about the sexual abuse of immigrants while in detention centers in the United States.
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- Refugee Women at Risk: Unfair U.S. Laws Hurt Asylum Seekers |
by Lawyers Committee for Human Rights (2002)
This report details the U.S. government's treatment of refugee women seeking asylum in the United States.
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- The World in Motion: Short Essays on Migration and Gender |
by International Office on Migration (IOM) (2004)
This book looks at migration and selects moments in time, past and present, through the experience of women. It includes a chapter on Facing Rape in War.
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- Comparative Study of Women Trafficked in the Migration Process |
by Janice G. Raymond, Jean D'Cunha, Siti Ruhaini Dzuhayatin, H. Patricia Hynes, Zoraida Ramirez Rodriguez, and Aida Santos, Organization of American States
This study describes the patterns, profiles and health consequences of sexual exploitation in five countries: Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, Venezuela and the United States.
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- Behind Locked Doors: Abuse of Refugee Women at the Krome Detention Center |
by Women's Commission for Refugee Women and Children (2000)
This report discusses physical, psychological, and sexual abuse of detainees at the Krome Service Processing Center, a detention center operated by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) near Miami, Florida.
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- Crossing Borders: An Empirical Study of Transnational Prostitution and Trafficking in Human Beings |
by Anette Brunovskis & Guri Tyldum, Fafo (2004)
This report presents the results of a study of transnational prostitution and trafficking in women.
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Barriers to accessing services | Back to top
This section addresses many barriers to services – including but not limited to language barriers, cultural practices, fear of retaliation from assailants, and lack of knowledge about available services – that may prevent some immigrants and refugees from accessing sexual violence-related services. The following documents address some of these issues and offer recommendations for circumventing barriers.
- Sexual Assault within Refugee and Immigrant communities | HTML (2 p.)
by Tapestri This page talks about some of the cultural considerations that might face immigrant women and refugees who are sexually assaulted.
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- Overcoming Cultural Barriers in Working with Immigrant Battered Women | PDF (4 p.)
by Legal Momentum (1998)
This information sheet for advocates provides tips for understanding and becoming sensitive to the barriers faced by immigrant women in seeking safety from domestic violence.
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- The Facts on Immigrant Women and Domestic Violence: Battered immigrant women face many difficult barriers | HTML (12 p.)
by Skagit Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services
The following article talks about some of the barriers and challenges that might face immigrant women and refugees who are sexually assaulted.
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Services to the survivors of sexual violence | Back to top
This section provides information on the legal options that are available for immigrant women who experience sexual violence. It also provides useful tools for advocates and health care providers when providing services for immigrant women.
Legal protections available: VAWA, U Visa, T Visa
- No Free Pass to Harass: Protecting the Rights of Undocumented Immigrant Women Workers in Sexual Harassment Cases |
by ACLU Women’s Rights Project and National Employment Law Project (2007)
This guide is intended as a tool for effective litigation of sexual harassment claims brought on behalf of immigrant women workers.
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- U Visas: Immigration Relief for Victims of Certain Crimes, Frequently Asked Questions |
DOC (6 p.)
by Immigrant Legal Resource Center/ASISTA
This fact sheet provides brief answers to frequently asked questions about the U Visa, created by the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Prevention Act of 2000.
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- U Visa Fact Sheet |
by Legal Momentum: Immigrant Women Program (IWP)
This fact sheet provides information on the U visa, the individuals it covers, procedures, benefits, and the need for certification and who can provide this.
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- U Visa Interim Regulations Fact Sheet and Guidance |
by National Network to End Violence Against Immigrant Women (2007)
This document presents information about U visa requirements.
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- Screening for the Civil Legal Needs of Sexual Assault Victims |
by Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) (2006)
This document provides a sample of screening questions that may be helpful in starting a conversation with a victim of sexual assault about her or his potential civil legal needs.
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- Assisting Immigrant Victims of Sexual Assault |
by Victim Rights Law Center (VRLC) (June 2006)
This PowerPoint presentation provides an overview on how to better serve immigrant victims of sexual violence, the difference between domestic violence and sexual assault immigration remedies, T and U visas, and LGBT issues.
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- Legal Advocacy for Immigrant Survivors of Sexual Assault |
by Legal Momentum (2005)
These slides include information on the immigration status and the barriers to services for immigrant survivors and how to address these barriers and fears.
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Health Issues and Immediate Medical Services
- Clinical Protocol: Victims of Abuse |
by Migrant Clinicians Network
This sample clinical protocol describes how the clinic works with patients who are suspected of being victims of abuse.
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- The World Health Report 2008 - Primary Health Care: Now More Than Ever |
by World Health Organization (2008)
This report combines an expert assessment of global health, including statistics relating to all countries, with a focus on primary health care.
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- Medical Interpreter Competency Checklist |
by Migrant Clinicians Network (May 2005)
This checklist provides guidelines and evaluation for medical interpreters.
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- The Health Risks and Consequences of Trafficking in Women and Adolescents: Findings from a European Study |
by Cathy Zimmerman, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (2003)
Drawing upon a two-year international study, this report explores health risks, health consequences, and barriers to services encountered by trafficked women.
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- Diverse Communities, Diverse Experiences: A Review of Six Socioeconomic Indicators and Their Impact on Health |
by The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF)
This report focuses on the following six socioeconomic indicators influencing health status: Language, Income and Poverty, Educational Attainment, Immigration and Citizenship, Health Workforce, and Other Household Indicators.
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Advocacy
- Introduction to Immigration Relief for Immigrant Victims of Sexual Abuse and Glossary of Terms |
by Leslye E. Orloff, Joanne Lin, and Deborah Birnbaum (2007)
This training manual is directed at advocates and attorneys and provides an overview of immigration laws and options available to immigrant women who have been sexually abused.
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- The Vulnerable Women’s Project Good Practice Guide: Assisting Refugee and Asylum Seeking Women affected by Rape or Sexual Violence |
by Refugee Council (February 2009)
This guide explains the Refugee Council approach to best practice in caring for women who have been subject to sexual violence, including rape.
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- Eliminating Barriers to Services for Latina Survivors of Sexual and Intimate Partner Violence |
by Alianza Latina en Contra la Agresión Sexual (ALAS)/Latina Alliance Against Sexual Aggression (Adopted May 2004)
This is a position statement which defines the challenges faced by Latina survivors and advocates working on their behalf, and presents recommendations for eliminating these barriers.
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- WHO Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Interviewing Trafficked Women |
by Cathy Zimmerman and Charlotte Watts, World Health Organization (2003)
This report is designed to help service providers, researchers, and members of the media understand the dynamics of trafficking and adopt ethical interviewing practices with trafficking victims.
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- Human Rights Protections Applicable to Women Migrant Workers |
by United Nations Development Fund for Women (2003)
This briefing paper is intended to provide some tools for human rights advocates working to advance the rights of women migrant workers.
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- Reaching Migrant Farm Workers: A Technical Assistance Bulletin for Sexual Assault Advocates and Counselors |
by Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (2007)
This bulletin provides information about sexual violence against migrant farm workers in the US, risk factors and barriers, legal rights, and highlights the outreach and advocacy efforts of the Latino Program of Survivors, Inc. in Adams County, PA.
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- Culture Handbook |
by Sujata Warrier, Futures Without Violence (2005)
This handbook highlights the importance of culture and provides guidance to develop cultural competency at the individual and organizational levels.
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- Prevention of Sexual Violence Against Immigrant and Refugee Communities |
by California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (2003)
This excerpt from CALCASA’s “Breaking Barriers: Immigration Issues and Sexual Assault Prevention” provides a short overview of different locations where outreach can be done to immigrant and refugee communities.
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- How to Obtain U Interim Relief: A Brief Manual for Advocates Assisting Immigrant Victims of Crime |
by Sally Kinoshita, Immigrant Legal Resource Center (2005)
This manual provides U Visa information for advocates who assist victims of crime, including domestic violence.
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- Building Bridges to Stop Violence against Immigrant Women: Effective Strategies & Promising Models for Reaching and Serving Immigrant Women |
by Voices for Change: Immigrant Women & State Policy, Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, University at Albany (March 2004)
Developed to share the lessons of two NY regional workshops, this document describes the barriers facing immigrant victims, as well as effective service models and strategies to overcome those barriers.
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- Building Community Strength: A Report About Community-Based Organizations Serving South Asians in the United States |
by Takoma Park, South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) (2007)
This report highlights successful practices and offers recommendations for stakeholders to better assist South Asian organizations.
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- Special for Immigrant Women |
by Marie De Santis, Women's Justice Center/ Centro de Justicia Para Mujeres
This article provides information about U.S. federal law concerning immigrant women who experience domestic and sexual violence and encourages immigrant women to seek help for domestic violence.
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- Investing in Our Communities: Strategies for Immigrant Integration |
by Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees Integration (2006)
This easy-to-understand guide describes how grantmakers at all levels can play an important leadership role.
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- Domestic & Sexual Violence Advocate Handbook on Human Trafficking, 2nd Edition |
by Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence (2004)
This document produced by the FCADV Trafficking Project, designed to aid domestic and sexual violence advocates in working with victims of trafficking and in better understanding the issues involved with trafficking.
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- Online Toolkit to Combat Trafficking in Persons |
by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (2009)
The 123 tools contained in this Toolkit offer guidance, recommended resources, and promising practices to policymakers, law enforcers, judges, prosecutors, victim service providers and members of civil society.
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- The Crime of Human Trafficking: A Law Enforcement Guide to Identification and Investigation |
by International Association of Chiefs of Police (2006)
This is a guide for law enforcement officials working to secure protection and assistance for victims of trafficking that provides guidance in investigation and prosecution of offenders.
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- Hope for Healing: Information for Survivors of Sexual Assault in Detention |
by Stop Prisoner Rape (2006)
This publication is written for men and women who have survived sexual assault in prisons, jails, or other forms of detention. It offers general information about sexual abuse as well as information about the healing process.
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Community Assessment
- Sex Trafficking Needs Assessment for the State of Minnesota |
by The Advocates for Human Rights (September 2008)
The report reveals that often the response of law enforcement is ineffective and the needs of trafficked persons remain unmet. Includes recommendations to address the barriers to an effective, coordinated response.
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- Building Community Strength: A Report About Community-Based Organizations Serving South Asians in the United States |
by Takoma Park, South Asian American Leaders of Tomorrow (SAALT) (2007)
This report highlights successful practices and offers recommendations for stakeholders to better assist South Asian organizations.
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Language And Literacy
- Resource Guide for Advocates & Attorneys on Interpretation Services for Domestic Violence Victims |
by Chic Dabby and Cannon Han, Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence (August 2009)
These guidelines from the Interpretation Technical Assistance and Resource Center focus on court interpretation for domestic and sexual violence victims with limited English proficiency.
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- Models for the Provision of Language Access in Health Care Settings |
by Bruce Downing and Cynthia E. Roat, The National Council on Interpreting in Health Care (2002)
This document suggests various accommodations for non-English speaking clients in health care settings, with special emphasis on Spanish-speaking clients.
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- The Multilingual Access Model: A Model for Outreach and Services in Non-English Speaking Communities |
by Beckie Masaki, Mimi Kim and Christy Chung, Asian Women's Shelter, San Francisco (1999)
This project recruited and trained bicultural-bilingual advocates from area ethnic communities to provide assistance to victims and initiate outreach and awareness activities in their communities. Assistance to 6 providers created an area access plan.
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- Reaching Individuals Along All Literacy Levels |
by Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape (September 2006)
This technical assistance bulletin is intended to support counselors/advocates and prevention educators in reaching individuals along all literacy levels.
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Organizations | Back to top
National Immigration Forum
http://www.immigrationforum.org/
Established in 1982, The Forum is the nation's premier immigrant rights organization. The Forum is dedicated to embracing and upholding America's tradition as a nation of immigrants. The Forum advocates and builds public support for public policies that welcome immigrants and refugees and are fair to and supportive of newcomers.National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
http://www.nilc.org/
The mission of NILC is to protect and promote the rights and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their family members. NILC staff specialize in immigration law and the employment and public benefits rights of immigrants. We conduct policy analysis and impact litigation and provide publications, technical advice, and trainings to a broad constituency of legal aid agencies, community groups, and pro bono attorneys.National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
http://www.immigrantjustice.org/
Heartland Alliance's National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) is dedicated to ensuring human rights protections and access to justice for all immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. NIJC provides direct legal services to and advocates for these populations through policy reform, impact litigation, and public education. Since its founding three decades ago, NIJC has been unique in blending individual client advocacy with broad-based systemic change.
Immigration Advocates Network
http://www.immigrationadvocates.org/
The Immigration Advocates Network is a free national online network that supports legal advocates working on behalf of immigrants' rights.
