Domestic Violence- Special Needs
Immigrants experiencing domestic violence have unique challenges in escaping from violence. In addition to language and cultural barriers, their legal needs are likely to be very different from US citizens. Recognizing the limits of information about how to best serve immigrant women, we have established the National Immigrant Family Violence Institute (NIFVI).
NIFVI is part of national and special-issue resource centers and culturally specific institutes funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to strengthen community and systems responses to domestic violence by providing information, publications, research, technical assistance, training, and referrals.
NIFVI develops and disseminates technical assistance around the country to both domestic violence and immigrant services. We are the lead agency in this initiative, and partner with Nationalities Service Center of Philadelphia; Jewish Vocational Services of Kansas City; and the International Institutes of New Jersey, Boston, Bay Area; and a researcher at Washington University School of Medicine.
Current funder is Administration for Children and Families in the US Department of Health and Human Services.
Contact Information:
Suzanne LeLaurin, LCSW
314-773-9090, ext. 150
