Assessing the Impact of Culturally Specific Domestic Violence Shelters in Minnesota

Abstract

This paper examines the impact of lack of culturally specific services for Domestic violence victims and survivors who are African born in Minnesota. It aims to answer the question of whether providing culturally specific domestic violence services to women from the specific cultural backgrounds impacts the long-term outcomes for those victims.

I conducted in -depth interviews with eight women who identify as either survivors or victims of Domestic violence and are African born, I also interviewed two administrators of local culturally specific shelters in the Metropolitan area here in Minnesota.

The purpose of this assessment is to determine whether main stream Domestic violence shelters are providing culturally appropriate services to African born women, it is also to examine whether they are accomplishing the mission of empowering and sustaining these women to begin new and productive lives.

The overall results of this project show that culturally specific domestic violence programs had overwhelmingly positive results. Positive results are defined as the long-term successes of women who were victims or are survivors. Including obtaining a home, moving on their own and accomplishing an education and attaining independence.

Despite a strong network of quality victim service providers, domestic violence providers that offer culturally appropriate services are very limited for African Immigrant survivors and victims of Domestic violence in Minnesota.