Barriers to Disclosure of Intimate Partner Violence Among Undocumented Spanish-Speaking Immigrants in the United States

Undocumented monolingual Spanish-speaking immigrants are one of the most vulnerable and marginalized groups to experience intimate partner violence (IPV) in the United States. This paper explores the barriers that prevent IPV disclosure in healthcare settings. Qualitative interviews (n = 14) were conducted with previously undocumented Spanish-speaking legal clients of a community domestic violence agency. The major barriers expressed by the interviewees regarding IPV screening and disclosure include limited opportunities for IPV screening, misinformation about legal rights from abusers, fear of deportation and separation from children, and lack of knowledge about resources.

Automated summary

This paper examines the barriers that make it difficult for undocumented Spanish-speaking immigrants to disclose intimate partner violence in healthcare settings, including limited opportunities, fear of deportation and separation from children.