Evaluating migrant women's needs regarding domestic abuse (EMiNA)

Culturally sensitive interventions for migrant women affected by domestic violence: how are migrant

women currently supported and what is the role of primary care?

Domestic violence is one of the greatest health risks for women and children. It is common yet

hidden within general practice and remains under-researched. It is thought that migrant women

encounter partner violence more frequently and more severely. Their specific immigration status, lack

of language skills and isolation from their social network may make them more likely to experience

domestic violence, including abuse and coercive control from other adult family members. In addition,

migrant women may face difficulties accessing support due to language barriers, not knowing where

to get help, being accompanied by relatives to health care consultations and having different ways of

expressing their suffering. This makes the uncovering of domestic violence as experienced by migrant

women challenging, for primary care and other professionals.

In the EMiNA study, we are conducting a literature review and preliminary qualitative research to find

out more about the needs of both migrant women and primary care professionals regarding support

for migrant women experiencing domestic abuse and the role of primary care. We are seeking to

identify what sort of intervention, or refinement of an existing intervention (e.g. the IRIS Programme -

Identification and Referral to Improve Safety) might be appropriate to better support migrant women

within primary care. The findings will inform a NIHR grant application for a study that will refine and

test an intervention that is culturally sensitive and primary-care based to support migrant women

experiencing domestic violence.

The study has been funded by Avon Primary Care Trust Collaborative, NIHR Research Capability

Funding.

For further information, please contact Nadia Khelaifat.