Exploring Access to Domestic Violence Services for Immigrant Women Survivors in Halifax and Ways to Promote Resilience Through Service Provision

Abstract

The present study explores the access to domestic violence services for immigrant women survivors in Halifax. The purpose of the research is to learn how service providers can integrate an approach that is strengths based into their work with immigrant women. Six professionals with experience providing domestic violence services to immigrant women in Halifax were interviewed. One-on-one interviews revealed the participants’ efforts to build resilience by fostering a strengths-based narrative in the women whom they supported. Results suggested that despite individual attempts to nurture resilience in service users, there was a lack of meaningful and lasting collaboration amongst service providers, indicating the need for resilience to be fostered within the environment in order for more accessible services to be available to immigrant women. It is recommended that research be conducted with stakeholders to understand the challenges and benefits of collaborative efforts in domestic violence work with immigrant women in Halifax.