Education Publications
The Relevance of Sociocultural Context for Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence: Towards the Development of Culturally-Informed Practices in Working with Muslim Women
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2016
Abstract
The effectiveness of domestic violence services is predicated on the appreciation that intimate partner violence (IPV) is best understood within sociocultural, historical and structural contexts that combine to shape a woman’s experience and as a consequence, aid in understanding her help-seeking behaviour. Among the largest and fastest growing minority populations who are now coming forward as survivors of IPV are Muslim women. Yet, there is minimal research that has explored their experience and the barriers that exist for these women in accessing services in Canada. A Tripartite model of understanding minority women’s experience of IPV that draws on both Intersectional and Relational-Cultural approaches is provided that relates to survivors from diverse groups including Muslim women. This adapted theoretical model is outlined in furthering the development of research and practice that can be more culturally responsive to their needs.