Canadian Domestic Violence Policy and Indian Immigrant Women

This article explores the problems of Indian immigrant women who face cultural constraints in accessing the benefits of Canadian policies for domestically abused women. Findings from an exploratory study of abused immigrant Indian women and community social workers in Ontario, Canada, are presented. They expose the pressures of cultural, social, and family ties that prevent these women from getting necessary help for domestic violence. The limitations of Canadian policies and programs for these women and the means to improve their access to these policies and programs are discussed. The conclusion suggests how binational research is needed to improve the situation of abused Indian immigrant women in Canada and in India.