Domestic Violence
The Refugee and Immigrant Experience
Tapestri, Inc.
Tapestri is dedicated to ending violence and
oppression in immigrant and refugee
communities, using culturally competent and
appropriate methods. As advocates for
immigrant and refugee families affected by
domestic violence, sexual assault and
exploitation, we are committed to using
education, community organizing, direct
services and advocacy to effect change in the
lives of these families.





Provide legal advocacy to battered immigrant and
refugee women.
Provide direct services to victims of human
trafficking.
Offer a 24 week Family Violence Intervention
Program, designed for immigrant & refugee men.
Provide community education & outreach for the
immigrant and refugee community.
Provide trainings for mainstream service providers.
Domestic violence is a pattern of behavior in any
relationship that is used to gain or maintain power
and control over an intimate partner.
The abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional,
economic or psychological actions or threats of
actions that influence another person. This includes
any behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize,
manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure or wound
someone.

HE’S TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE: Individuals who engage in domestic
violence are often perfectionists and demand that those around them also be
perfect. They lash out at others when mistakes occur or when things are not
just exactly as they want them to be. This sets up their own justification for
violent actions toward their partner.

POSSESSION AND JEALOUSY/ ACCUSATIONS OF AFFAIRS: this sort
of accusation occurs with a partner who is controlling and demands
accountability for every moment of the day. This often stems from internal
feelings of insecurity and poor self-esteem on the part of the partner.
Accuses you of flirting/having sexual relationships with others; monitors
your clothing/make-up.

COVERED-UP INJURIES: Victims of abuse often cover up injuries out of
embarrassment and shame that they are involved in an abusive relationship.

AVOIDING CONFLICT: Another warning sign of someone being involved
in an abusive relationship is a tendency to avoid conflict. Although this
characteristic could stem initially from experiences with domestic violence,
avoidance behaviors can spill over into other relationships, including friends
and coworkers.

CHANGES IN PERSONALITY: one of the primary indicators of domestic
violence is marked changes in a person's personality and demeanor. This can
include not only avoiding conflict, as mentioned above, but also a lowering
of self-esteem and withdrawing into herself. As the relationship devolves
into becoming more and more abusive, a woman may go from being
outgoing and full of confidence to being careful about what she says and
does, so that she does not trigger an outburst from her partner. These
changes in personality can appear in other areas of her life, until this
becomes a dominating feature of her personality.

Domestic Violence is not a family private matter.
To many people continue to believe that domestic violence is a private
matter between a couple, rather than a criminal offense that merits a
strong and swift response.

Domestic Violence is not caused by anger, alcohol or
Drugs.
If the abuser is truly unable to control his anger, why doesn’t he lash
out at every person who makes him mad? Why is his family the only
target of his violence? The abuser knows that society will accept the
excuse that alcohol or drugs lower his inhibitions and “allow” him to
be violent. Though substance abuse may exacerbate or trigger the
abuse, it is still a choice that the man makes

It is not caused by the victim’s behavior
There is no provocation that justifies an abuser’s action. Using
violence is a choice.

The abuser is not always the male partner
In many cultures, there is a definite hierarchy within the extended
family. The oldest members may have the most authority and expect
the newest members to serve them.
The abuser may be a mother-in-law who expects the daughter-in-law
to be a servant. The batterer may be a father-in-law who expected the
daughter-in-law to bring a higher dowry.
In many cultures, the way a person behaves is a reflection of the
entire family’s reputation. Female family members may be punished
if their behavior is seen to break the rules and “dishonor” the family.
The batterer could also be a sibling, a child, or anyone else in the
family.
DV also occurs in same sex relationships.



He’s learned that it gets him the results he wants.
It makes him feel like a “man” when he can dominate
and control another person.
He’s found that no one will hold him responsible for his
violence.
Barriers faced by Immigrant and
Refugee Battered Women

Economic Barrier

Cultural Barrier

Legal Barrier

Language Barrier

Fear of Deportation

Economic dependence on husband

May not have work authorization, thus employer may not
risk hiring her

Low paying job with no benefits or job security

She may not be eligible for public assistance

Relatives in her home country may need financial
assistance

Fear that reporting the abuse may lead to his being
deported, leaving her without support

Community may ostracize her if she leaves partner

Her culture may find it acceptable for a husband to beat his
wife and for her to endure it
Lack of Safety Measures in Home Country to protect
victims for batterers or batterer’s family





Protection of spouse’s standing in community
Cultural norms concerning a woman’s place, her role and
family expectations
In same-sex relationships, fear that they may be “outed.”
Responsibility to siblings. Her divorce may scare off her
siblings’ potential suitors

May have distrust of the legal system that originated from
her own experience in her country of origin

Difficulty understanding the U.S. legal system

Belief that the judiciary does not function independently
from the government

Expectations that people with money, U.S. citizenship or
ties with the government will prevail in courts

Belief that undocumented immigrants will be denied
access to legal services or will not be treated fairly

Limited access to shelter, police and court
services because of lack of bilingual
professionals who can provide services

May not feel welcome or comfortable seeking or
using services

The assumption that because she speaks English,
she is able to navigate the U.S. system


Fear that safety because it’s most dangerous when she
leaves.
She has seen so much violence in her life, she thinks it’s
normal

Denial that the man she married is capable of hurting her
or her children

She wants him to change

She believes that there is no real punishment that will
make him stop and keep her safe

She doesn’t know what kind of help is available

Belief that the children need a father, even if he’s abusive

Social stigma of revealing to outsiders that there is
violence

She loves him

Denial by both victims and perpetrators.

Traditional view about gender roles

Barriers to disclosure ( financial, immigration
status, housing, social isolation, child custody,
cultural and traditional beliefs, religion, gender)

Accepts responsibilities for the batterer’s actions.

Victims low self-esteem may make her believe that
no one will be able to help her.

Denies the terror and anger.

May not feel welcome or comfortable seeking or
using services

The assumption that because she speaks English,
she is able to navigate the U.S. system

Address Safety Issue

Validate and support ( Victims are not responsible for the abuse )

Provide Information ( community resources )

Victims Empowerment







Services from shelters and other domestic violence
programs;
Civil protection orders from a court;
Custody and support for children;
Police assistance;
Emergency medical care;
The abuser can be criminally prosecuted; and
Children born in the U.S. can receive public
benefits.
The Temporary Protection Order restrains the abuser
from doing, attempting to do, threatening to do any
act of injury, maltreating, molesting, following,
harassing, harming, or abusing you and/or your minor
children in any manner. It orders the abuser not to
attempt to come within a certain number of yards of
the victim and her children. This includes her house,
place of employment, and children's school or
daycare. A petition for a TPO can be filed for both
acts of Domestic Violence or Stalking. The victim
should be able to describe the most recent incident
that occurred.






Should include the actual acts, the extent of injury,
and any medical attention required from the incident.
It should indicate if children were present
If the police were called, and if the abuser was
arrested.
The victim should be able to tell the Court if the
abuser is an alcoholic, has weapons, or uses drugs.
If the abuser lives in Georgia, the TPO must be filed
in the county where the abuser lives.
The TPO will remain in effect unless specifically
superseded by a subsequent signed and filed Order, by
operation of law, or by Order of Dismissal, whichever
occurs first.



Only the Court can void, modify, or dismiss the
Order. Either party may ask the Court to change or
dismiss the Order by appearing before the Judge of
the Superior Court.
Violation of a TPO may be punishable by arrest and
criminal prosecution or by civil penalties.
Do not require a Immigration legal status





1. The self-petition under the Violence Against
Women Act;
2. Cancellation of Removal under the Violence
Against Women Act if you have been placed in
deportation proceedings;
3. The battered spouse waiver;
4. The crime victims visa which is called a U visa;
and
5. Gender-based asylum
Tapestri Related Numbers

Tapestri main line – 404-299-2185

Tapestri DV Hotline (regular business hours) – 1-866-562-2873

Trafficking Hotline (24 hours) – 1-866-317-3733

Caminar Latino – 404-413-6348

International Women’s House – 770-413-5557

Raksha – 404-842-0725

Refugee Family Services – 404-299-6217

Shalom Bayit – 770-677-9322

Center for Pan Asian Community Services – 770-936-0969
Additional Helpful Numbers in Georgia

Catholic Social Services Immigration Clinic- 404-881-6571 or

Georgia Legal Services – 1-800-643-1212

Georgia Coalition Against Domestic Violence – 1-800-SAFE-HAVEN
National Numbers

AT&T Language Line – 1-800-528-5888

National Center for Missing & Exploited Children – 1-800-THE-LOST
(Can assist if there is a fear of child abduction and offer steps necessary to
prevent kidnapping either interstate or outside the U.S.)

Legal Momentum (Immigrant Women’s Project) – 1-202-326-0040
Helpful Websites

LegalAid-GA.org

www.asistaonline.org – Advanced Special Immigrant Survivors Technical
Assistance