| Factor | How It Increases Risk | Example | |--------|----------------------|---------| | | Emphasis on “family unity” and “machismo” can discourage women from speaking out. | A partner may claim that “family problems stay within the family.” | | Language Barriers | Limited English proficiency reduces access to legal aid, hotlines, and shelters. | Survivors may not understand their rights or how to call 911. | | Immigration Status | Undocumented women fear deportation for themselves or family members. | An abusive partner threatens to report the survivor to immigration authorities. | | Economic Dependence | Low-wage jobs and lack of childcare limit financial independence. | Survivors stay with abusive partners to keep a steady income for their children. | | Social Isolation | New immigrants often have small support networks. | Lack of community contacts makes it difficult to find safe housing. | | Systemic Bias | Law enforcement and service providers may downplay or misunderstand cultural nuances. | A police officer assumes a domestic dispute is a private matter and does not intervene. |