i t,

Foundatious of Social Work Krrowlcdgc Frecleric Cl. llcarlcr, Scr ics lllclitol
pcrspcclivc arrd rrrelhocl l'he lo prirnary purpose ofihis series is io articulate thcse disiitrct qrrlllitics lnd atd skills tlral togctlrcr corrslihrtc defirt" aod."plore the ideas, concepts, cnrergirlg social work's iltellectual foundations arlcl botrnclarics arrd iis
Social

D(lMESTIC VI(lTENCE

wort

has a urtique lristory, purpose,

NTERSECTIONALITY AND CULTURALLY

issues and concerns.

COMPETENT PRACTICE Edited by Lettie L. Lockhart and Fran S. Danis

.:(98o4^

'lo

accomplish this goal, the series

will publish a cohesive co)lectiol

rrrcl its of books that adclress both the core kuowledge of the profession 'fhe core is definccl by the evolving conscrtsLrs' as newly ernerging iopics ,,',,,'.ril, ,.flefr",l 111 lls QerrrrL il ol Soci rl W'rk LJrrcrliorrr Crrrri' rr-

uork Slalerrerrl, corrcerrrrng ul'rl Lorrr\e\ rrcrc'lile'l 'oci rl in their cLrrricula l'he series will be educatjon p(ograms nust inclucle percharacterized by an emPhasis on the widcly embracecl ecological clirect and indirect practicc; ancl spective; attcntion to issues concernilrg justice' openphasis orr cultur:rl diversity and multiculhrralisrl, social social rvork values ancl ethics The scries pression, popttlations at risk, and will have a dual focus on practice traditions arrcl erncrging issues and

i,,','

p"li"

.*

o"n.oan n-l-4d

"@* z

CINTRAL.
BIBLIOTEKET

concePts.

The complete series list follows the index

COLUMEIA UNIVERSITY PRESS NEW YORK

i
I I

CONTENTS

COl,lJNlLllA

IJn_

lVl".RSIl Y

PRLISS

AcknowLeclgments

tli

l'uh lishers Snt ce tu91

Ncu
(

\ixh
({

(lhichcstcr, \Vcst Srrsscr

)

Contributors ix
Prcss

i,tJ)t islrt

roro (i)lrrrrrbir}

hlivcrsity

Introcluctiott txiii
Fran S. Danis and l,ettie L. l,ockhart

All riglr{s rcscrt'crl l,ibri,,\ (,1:(in,gtrss (ixl,rlogilg-irr I\rblic'rtion l)'rtr l)rrncstic violcrrcc : illlcncctiorrrrlily rnd cLrliLrL'rllv corupcleDt praciice /

Culhrral Courpetcr.rcc and Intersectionality:

Emerging Framervorks and Practicil Approaches r Lettie L. Lockhart ard Jacquelyn Mitchell

,a|r(,' r'l
p. cnr.

1., r.

hrcludcs bibliographical Lefcrences and irrdcx o u 3r-14oz6-3 (harc1 covcr : ulk. papcr) ISBN
978

rr',1 I r' r S Drlt c L l ", kl' 'rt (lhmdatiols ofsocial work knowledge)

ISBN 97&o-:3r r4o':7-o (Pbl< l'ockh:rrl, t'ettic

rlk

Understanding Dorrestic Violence: A

P'rPcr)

Primer

29

ISBN 978 o:3r-52137-6 (c book)

Fran S. Danis and Shreya Bhandari

r.rarrilyvio)ence.:.VictiInsoffalnilyviole!)ce
HV66u6.D666 zoto
362.82
t1z

L ll

Danis' llrarrS'

Our Survivzrl, Our Strengths: Untlerstancling the Experiences of African Arnerican Wonen in Abusive Relationships 67
Tricia B. Bent-Goodley, l,orraine Chase, Elizabeth A. Circo,
and Selena T. Ani:i Rodgers 1.

tlczz

papcr' Colurnbi, Univcrsi!,, Pres books are prhted on pcmr;rncnt aud dtrrablc ackl-frcc

A Lily Out of the Mud: Domestic Violcnce in Asian and Pacifrc Islander

This book

is

printed or paPer with recl'clcd contcnt

Comnunities

roo

Printed i,r the Uniied States ofAmericr

Mirni Kirn, Beckie Masaki, and Gita Mehrotra

Social Work Practice with Abuscd Persons with lllizabeth
6
P.

Disabilities rz8

crog{376543:t
pro91376543:t
Itr[t rt rx lltl,s) rvcrc lccrrrrrlc xt the linrc of\rriting ( lolrrrrrLi:r ( lrrn'crsill Ilcss is rcsyrrsiblc ftrr tllll's Nciilrcr llrc ;rrrllror rrrr Ll,:Ll rrrn lr,rrI r rl,ircrl or ( Lrirrrr.rl\irtl llr( rirrrlrrrscriltl rrrs lrcpllrcd
cs 1,,

Cramcr:rnd Sara Beth Plurrrrrrer

Dorrrcstic Violelce Advocacy rvith Lnmigrants ard Reftrgees r55

llrp:rlccrrr 13lruval, Wrnclrtr Slrirrr,

lrrlcr cl WcI

sircs ((

rrd

Kawa Velagapncli

V
'7

CONTENTS

l)ortrcstic Altrtsc irr [,atct l,ilc tE3 Ann lirnrer, Deb Sp:rngler, arrd Bolnie

13randl

Culturally Competent Practice rvith Latinas 2o9

Rlanca M. Ramos, Bonnie E. Carlson, and Sh:rnti Kulkrrni

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Outing the Abuse: Consiclerations for Effective Practice with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, alrcl '1-ransgender Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence z3z
Taryn Linclhorst, Gita Mehrotra, and Shawl

l'

Nlincer

to. In Service to Our Country: Military Rcsponses to

Donestic Violence 268 Delores F. fohnson and L)eborah D. Tucker Context Weaving the Past into the Present: Understanding the of Donestic Violence Against Native Aurerican Wonen 286
Brenda Btrssey anci f.

To THE abuse survivors we have known:'I'hank you for teaching us the mean-

ing of resiliency and cletermination to survive. Although you share nany

corrrmon experiences, we hope this book helps us to better urderstarci your rrnique circunstances and journeys to safety and community.
To our chapter contributors: ['hank you for graciorrsly sharing your passionate

B Whipple

A Conmentary ou Religion ancl Dourestic Marie M. I'brtune, Salma Eikadi Abugideiri,

and Mark

Violence

3r8

l)ratch

r3.

Appalachia: Adclressing Donestic Vioience Rural

il

the

commitment ancl expertise for working with wonen fronr diverse conmunities who face violence and abuse. This book would not have been possible ivithout your collaborative efforts.

Environment

343

'lbwer Elizabelh J. Randall ancl Leslie E

'lb my parents, Berlin and Martha S. Lockhart, Sr., and my siblings (William Earl, Freddie Morris, Berlir, Jr., and Barbara Ann) for the perpetual love, support, and encouragement that yorl have shown rne throughout nry personal and professional adventures. Also, thanks to all iny friends for their srrpport.
For yorrr elcouragement, support, and unconditional love: My parher, Judith

14. Where Teens l,ive:'[-aking an Ecological Approach

to D:rting Violence Prcvention 369

l}rbara Ball and Barri Rosenbluth

Nofzs

1or

M. Turner, ancl my farrily: Suzanne f)anis and Martin Podgainy, Elaine,

Matthew ancl Anchew Cramer, and Bob, Mary Ann, and Sarr Stillerman.

lndex

4o5

CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND INTERSECTIONALITY

Emerging Frameworks and Practical Approaches

Lettie L. Lockhart and Jacquelyn Mitchell

LONG IcNORED, the existence ancl inrpact

ofdorrestic violence in Arncriczr

rvls firrally acknowledged seriously in thc r97os and r98os. Drawing frorn the

collective strength of our slrarcd experience over the past thirty-five years, rvonrer have rccognized that our sociopolitical dcrnands that are voicecl bv nillions speak more powerfully than the pleas of a few isolatecl voices (Crensharv 1994). tlirough our collcctivc voices and actions, aclvocates, praclitioners, eclucators, aud rcscarchers have transformecl our unclerstanding of violelce against women and their clrilchen. For example, no longer
is battering and sexual assault of a fentale

iutirlate parhrer seen as a privatc

rurcl isolatcd dysfunctional aggressiorr. These acts are generally recognizcd

part of a broader system of donriuatioLr that affects women nationally and globally (Crenshaw 1994). The persistent ancl diligent actions of feninist social activisrn laicl the loundation for Anrerica's lawmakers, courts, social
rrs

scrvice proviclcrs, health care providers, ancl othcr institutional players to rccognize that intimate partrer violencc is a major social, Iegal, rnedical,
rrrrcl systernic problenr

alcl cal no longer be considerecl a private and iso-

lllccl fanrily mattcr. Irritially, tlrc political antl social movement of intimate partner violeitce
:rgairst wonrcn-and, srrbseqrrently, the literature, scholarly initiatives, and irrtcn,crtion slralegies ainred at acldressing this social phenorneuon-focused
,,rr irbrrsc lrrcl violcrrcc
soc

ilflicted on "the ruriversal worlan"

reg:rrdless

oftheir

irlrolilical crrlhrr':rl conlcxt.'l

his focrrs gelerated "onc-sizc-fits-a11" practice

sllrrlcgics rrrr<l irritiativcs. Ihe "rrniversirl wonlan" ltotion and the "one sizeIrls-;rll" rrpplorrclr l,clc dr.cld[rrlly irradccluatc ir clescribing the experiences

rrrrl rrcctls ofrlilcr-st qrorrps ol-rlorrcrr u,lro rvcrc bcing abused (Andelsen:rnd ( )rrllirrs :, u,.1; ( lrcrrslr:nl r,1.1.1: ( )ollirrs r9r;8rr, rr;r2lilr; I I<xrks r9ii.1).

. ct,t I llfiAt (:()M''l

As

N(:l ANI)

lN I I

Il:il
so rli<l orrr' gcrrcr',tl

lltc tttovcrrrcttI clevcloltccl, ltorvcvt t,

<

oltst ttstrr llt;tl

cloruestic violcrtce is a social rcality that illlcrsccls rvitll lrtltcr factors-racc'

skin co1or, agc, ethnicity, lartgttagc, atlceshy, sexttal orictttitliotr, tclrgr"tl. socioeconomic class, rbility, geographic Jocation, ard status as a migralrt, indigenous person, or relugee, all interacting to detentille one's sociill e\Pcr i
cnces and rcalitl' (Sokoloff zoo5; Feinberg zoo.1; Surrter uoo6; Warrier zooS). In aclclition, the definition of "strrvivor" of dontcstic violence evolvecl beyond

rHE CHANGING FACE OF AMERICA: DEMOGRAPHIC TRENDS IN THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY AND BEYOND
( lt rrsrrs rLrllr lrorrr llrc r99os r-cvcllcd

lrr urrPurallelecl 3:.7 rnilliol irrcrcasc in prprrlrlior, llrc lrr.gcst rrurrclical increase ofany clccade in [].S. his l,,ri, r.cllcctirg a clrirrgirg Alrcrican clemographic mostly attributecl to non-

llr'
I

O.S.

irrropcan irrrrrigratiol aucl birth rales. Persorrs of Hispanic or L,atino and Asian

relating exchrsivcly to femalcs in heterosexual relationships Voices r'vitllin the rrovenrcnt began to raise the potential of additional dotnestic victimizatiort categorics, includilg nales, ltomosexual partners, Icsbians, and Lrnrelated

lrcr ilrrge

crrrcrgccl as the fastest grou'ing population groups in thc United l.l,rlcs (LLS. Ccnsns:ooul, zooTa). Estirnates are that "White non-Hispanics," l,'rrg c-(nlsidcrcd dre ciorrinant ethuic group in America, rvili bccome a statisti

hl,e

cohabitants (SumLer, zoo6). C<-ltseqLrently practice, policy, and aclvocacy initiatives nust be sensitive to and inclttsive of all ihe factors that shape the Jyrrarrricr ol lltt lrrtrtlrt' e\P( rierr(e. l"uture practitiotrers and advocatcs trtust be eclrtcated ancl traine<l rvith tlreoretical models of cliversi[, practice skills and techniques, arld resedrch rncthoclologics that locus on the varied lived experienccs of tvomcrr rvho are survivors of irrtimate patttrer violcnce and thcir children in ordcr for
us to bc tnore culturally colnPetenL in assisting u'ollicn addtcss tlleir ncccls

rrrirroritv by zo5o, ifnot sooncr (Diller zooT; Okurn, Fried, and Okun 1999). rlirrning with thc:ooo l.l.S. Census, responclcnts are permitlecl to categorize ilrcrrrsch'es as bclonging to rnore than oitc Lace, and data are capturcd regarding , r.,rrlrilill'arrcl grandparent caregivers, further recognizing our changinq demo, rrl

ll

rir,rplrics. Thc "tuo or

,r r ccr I

rtage of chilclren

nore raccs" population category reprcscnted the highest ald the lou'est percentagc of persons over 65 years of age

ancl conccLrts. 'l'hus it is our corrteution, and that of the othcr coutributors to this voluile, that variations beyond culttlre, gendcr, race, attcl class inecluities shapc the exPcriences of lvoureu stlLvivors of irttimatc partner violence.

LS. Oensus Bureau :oo7a). Lr r99o, 3r.r rnillion elclelly person 65 years ofage . r,lolcler wcrc living ir the Unitecl States conparecl to 35 Lnillion in zooo:urcl r prrrjcctccl 54 nillion by zozo (ibid., zooza). Approximately 37 rrillion persons
(,,/.) in lhe Unitetl Statcs rvere living in povertv in zoo5, revealing an incrcirsc ,,vL r tlre rruurbcr living in povert, in zooo (t.1%). Drrring this pcr.iotl u'onrcn,
t r.r

'fhc airr of this chapter

is to help us move away

fron thc traditiorlal

,,', rrrll, had tJrc highest poverty rates compared to nen (ibid., zooTc). Unforhrr,rlclr stigrua against lesbian, gay, biscxual, and tr:rnsgenderccl ildivichrals has
rtcd slstematic census collection regarcling this population. \'lcrnbers ofthe dorlestic violence practice communities at all q,stem lcvels 1L(., rnicro, mcso/mezzo,:rnd tr. acro) rnust respond to the necds ofsunrvors ,,1 irrlirrate partner violence nho arc characterized as having variccl Jife expel,rcr
c
r

approach of viewing diversity as basecl on individualize differences (e.g., culture, race, gender, agc, geographical locatiott, irlrrigr:ttiotl staLtts, scxttal orient:rtion, (dis)abilitv, or othcr variations) towarcl a perspective that cort siders all diversi\ factors as intersecting diflerentialJy and dynamicallv in each individual in any given context (Sokoloff zoo5; Titterton r992; Warricr z.oo8). Incluclecl is a brief overvicrv of the changing dcntographics of t]iis country; a discussiott of cultur:rlly corttpetent Practice as well as comPctclr cies required for future advocates and social work practitioners who engage pr:rctice, advocacy, atrd reseatch that effcctively and competently responcls

,l, rrrographically tljvcrsc American corrrnlnitics. Failure to unclerstancl the lrr Lrl cx1:rcr-icnccs antl cotnpetently interact with survivors of intirnatc partner , r,,lt rrcrc fiorrr a nrore holistic contextual fianework m:ry result in significant , .rs( (lllcnccs lor w,ornen rvJio are already nargirralizcd and oppressed. 'fhus

',,

rrccs, and diflereni coltextual values and behaviors, and u'ho reside in

to the diversity of the livecl expetiences of survivors of intimate parttrer violcrrce and tireir childrcl; a discttssior of intersectionality and iis iurpli
cations for fostcring a morc holistic, scnsitive, and incltrsive understanding of, and practice rvith, survivors of intiuate partner violence expcrienced bv lvonen and their children; and a trausitiotr to the retttaittittg chapters of
thc: book.

rrrrrc lrolistic corrtcxtual uncierstancling ofthc varied experiences ofwonen lr,rrrr tlilfcr.crrt buckgrorrrrcls that erauilcs the intersectionali\, of a]l forms of rr,rlrrrlilics rrrrd <lrprcssion (i.c., gclclcr, race, class prir,i)eqe, gcographical
l, rr

;rlior r,

ir r rr

riglrrliorr

slrr lr rs,

scxuulitl,, :rbililics) ofsurvivor-s of intimate parhter

'

L,rlcrrt c u

ill lrr,lp

rrs lrccorrrc rrrorc crrllrrr-ll1\'scrrsitir,c ancl

conrpelent practi-

lr,'rrL rs

(S.krlrrli

rrrrrl I)rrl;orrl :,'r,5; Illrrlr rrrrrl I)lrrrcrir:.oo4;

lliciic

uooo).

n cuLruliAl co[1]'EtENcL

AND

lNIl.llSl

CULTURAL COMPETENCE IN THE FIELD OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

WHAT IS CULTURAL DIVE
RS ITY?

Althougir "crrlhtal cliversity" has no stairdarcl clefinition, it is gerrerally agreccl that the Lenlr refers to a variety and a richncss of cortrturtuitics with distinct rorms, beliefs, pracLiccs, aud valttes. Lr rclclition to thc obvious crtltltral similaritics antl diffcrences tltat exist behvecn peoplcs, strch as larnguage, circss, ancl traclitions, societies also vary significantly- in their shared rroral vllues, tLrcir intcractions with and within their envirorrtneut, ancl thc wal's irt which
indivich.rals attcl groups of pc<-rple view the ttnivcrse in lornilig valltes ;rbollt tireir lives Lrnd tlre uorlcl arottttd theur' The aspccts contribtrting to cttltrtral cliversitv ar.e thc lollor,r'ing:

rrolts rtlrottl rttt ittritIrrl slr,rrllt rtllcr il rxcrrr's. I]rIttc;tIiott, llrt lrroltrlcr trrttgorr, irr<lrrrlcs, lrrrl rs rrol lirrrilc<l lo, llrc <lcr.cloprrrcrrt of skiJls t rr:rlrlirrg orrc lo c:rlcrrlrrlc llrc rtroturt of crrrcr-gcrrcv fiuaucial support ll'.rt i',rr,ril:rl,l, . ,rrLl *r,,tr l,iconornic Status: including :tcccss to financial atrcl otltct stlPPort, Parlicrrlalk'a livable irconre, sheltcr artcl housing, lood, clothilg rncl other
r

rcccssilics.

u Age: irrclrrcling a recognition oftllc differcnt realities,

[acirg young girls
:rnc1

neccls, atrd issrtes

boys, aclolesccnt girls rncl boys' irclttlt wourerr ;tnd

nrcrr, aucl o]der u'otrtctr ancl tnen.

Oonrpctcrrt culttrral soci:rl u'ork practice also compcls practitioners tcr , rprrrrcl their urderstancling of thc rucaringful events irt tlteir clients' lives .r' rr.cll:is in lhcir orvn lives (Guticrrcz, Ycaklel', and OrLega zooo; l)evoe .rrrr1 ScJrlcsinger r999). C)pcnress ancl respoct ofcultural differences, cultur.rllr scrrsitivc assessrnent of lifc cxperiences, and gcnuinc opeuuess to the rrrrirlrrcncss of culttrral psitchosocial developncnt in a clicnt's life :lre esseltlrrrl lirl vierving anothcr's itpproach to rnaking claily life cvclts nteaninghrl. li, r ross the thresLrold into the cross-cultural Itelping process, Practitiorters rrrrrsl bc au,are ancl free ofbias so thli the cotrrtlton htlrlan conclitiotr catr 1,, plornotccl throtrgh u'cll-irrforittcd practice initiativcs (Haryer and Lanlz
r,),)6, p. 4).

,'

Ethnicity/Race: inclucling diffcrent rcalities relatecl to raci:rl alcl elhnic group anclstrbgrottp itlcntification, skin color, cultural practices, P'rticuLrll llru'r llrar hcrlilalc ',t \rll)l)utl. or lnrl)((lc nr tttrtlertrtittc e[[r'rl' to
end violctrce against wonrctr.

WHAT IS CULTURAL COMPETENCY? \r r orrlirg to Lum (zoo7), the social rvork prolcssion, other appliecl social sci

x Imrrigration/Citizenship Status: inclttcling inclividuals wlto are rtrfir

gees, asylees, atrcl iurntigrants.

Religion: inclttcling religious/ctrltural practices and beliefs that fircilitate or stqrport, or inpcdc or rtttderrllitle, cfforts to elcl violcrrce agailst womcrt'
Scxrral Orientation/Identity: incltrclirrg lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgcrrclcrecl indivicltrals, cotnmutlities, atrd organizations. I)isability: including thc irtcreascclvtrlncrability o{persons I'ith plrvsical

r
x

cvcr the federal govcrnrlent have clevekrpccl a rtutuber ofrvorking ,l, linilions of ctrltural competent practice. 'lhe clefinitiorts, though varied, rr, ,rl1 prenrisctl on an urcierst:rnding that contextrralll' cttltrtral corttpctettt 1,r;rclicc reclrrires thc acquisilion of hnorvlcclge, skills, rttitudcs, atrcl v:rlues
, 'rr
cs, arrtl

tlr;rl u ill cnable inclivicluals, orgarizations, and socictal instiltttions to rcsponcl

r

alcl devclopurental disabilities.

llt t livclv to a diverse societl'. Gcucralll "ctrltrtral competence" is defined as r lrroccss b-v ivhich irrclivicltrals and systcrtrs respold respectlully artcl effecclasscs, rirces, ethnic backgrotrntls,

u Language: includirtg linguistic ability, cultural clialects, and accents tJr:rt f:rciliiate or suPPort, or itrpeclc or rrndenrinc, jndividual irnd cotumurily access to sctvices ald othcr tesources Othcr recoglized forrns of
languagc that individttals ttse lo collllrllrnicate with others rnay include, lor exanple, sigir larrgrrage ancl tirc use ofpictorial irnages ii) art thcraP)'
bv

tirt h lrr pcoplc ofell cuJtures, langttagcs,

r, li1liors, lrrrrl ollrcr clivcrsih factors in a manncr tltat recoguizes, affirns, and

r rlrcs llrc rvorllr of irrdiviclrrlls, fanrilics, alcl conrtnunities, artd protects and l,r, rt rvi s llrc tligritr ofcuclr ([)iller z.oo7; l,ntrr zooT; Davis and Donald 1997;
( iross cl
(
r

rl.
r

r9li9).
of congntent bchar ic,rs,

childrel strrvivirtg or wihressing abttse. liducation/f,itcracy: l,itcracy is iltl ittlllorlllll slrllsc'l of trlttcrtliorr ;rrrd irrcltttks, [<rt ittstrtrrtc. lrcirrg rtblc lo rcrtcl il l)rot((li\'( "r'ltr ;ttttl r'r'rile

irrllrrrrlt orrrpclcrrcc rcilrrir-cs lltc inrpletrentatiort

r
r

l l rl

t s,

l, r'irrrrrrls

llrtl trrtttc logt llr< r- irt rr svslclll or ilgcncv or among Prorrrrrl t rrrlrlc llrr'\\\l( rr, irg(rc\. or-pr-olcssionrls kr rvork eflectivell
rrrr

l policics

L |l,l l l^l cr)tMttr Nct ANt) tN tist c oNlt lly

irr
cross crrllrrrrrl silrrrrliorrs
rc,rt77;

(l)illcr :oo7; l,rrrrr

19119).

:rrrrl l)orraltl

Orrrss

cl al.

As o,idcnt

zooT; l)c(lcrs()r zrrr:; l)rr,,,is in this dcfirritiorr, crrlltrral

lAlll E l-l
IANDARD

NASW

Sl.r(lirr{l\ lor (lLrllIral CoIrp{rlcfco n Soc al Work Practice

conrpcterce is nrore tharr being politically correct or tolcrating divcmity; it is a sinccrc coDrrittrcnt, aclive cngagenent in, ancl dcdication to a lifelorg learning process to cnrich the deiivery of services to clonrestic violence survivors and other pcrsons seeking the services of helping professionals (Diller
zooT;

"

ETHICS AND VALUES

' , lw,{k{r,,.ilrirl hrrliur n accodance ' trr|lriwtnx!nu i|nlpdos5uralvalues

.,IANOARD 2, SELF AWARENESS

wth the values, ethcs, and standardsofthe professlon, recog rnay corflictwith or accom modale the needs of diverse cl ents.

Lun

zooT).

.'. ,,
SOCIAL WORK MANDATES FOR CULTURAL COMPETENT PROFESSIONALS Oontinuous enhanccment ofservices that are cuiturally sensitivc is an ethical irrpcrative for all social rvork practicc, inclrrding work il the dourestic violence comnrunity. Generally, social rvorkers arc ethically required to prrrsue

wlrk,r! slrallseek

io deveopan understanding oftheir own persona mu

cutura vauesandbeiefs

w,rv(trppreciatngthe mportance oi

tcultural dentities

in

the

ves ol people

1 IANOARD

CROSS-CUtTURAL l{NOWLEDGE

., lwr
I I

' {y lr,r|lons

kcr! shall have and cont nue [o develop spec a zed know edge and urdersiand]ng about the values, famiy sysiems, and artist c expressions of malor c ent groups that they serve

'.IANDARO 4. CROSS,CULTURAL SKILLS

social jrrsticc and, more specifically, to fight against discrimination in our practice, practice contnunities and environments, and society as a u,holc (National Association of Social Workers INASW], 1999). In our coltinual pursuit of our professional nissior to abide by the elhical dictates of orrr six corc valrres (scrvice, social justice, dignity and rvorth of the person, importance of hurn:rir relationships, integrity, ard competence), NASW carefulJy reviewecl the social work literature alcl the diversity agenclas in practice cornmnnities, and conclrrclecl that cultural coltpetency starrdarcls needed to be incorporated into social rvork practice lo help social workers respond knowledgeably, scnsitively, and skillfully to the diverse populatiors thcy serve (NASW 1999, p. z).
As a rcsult, NASW (zoor) cievcloped staldards for cultrrral competencc in social work practice that adclress such key areas as ethics, valucs, self-awarcness, cross-crrltural knowlecige and skills, enporverment ancl advocacy, work-

r wrrkrr! qha

.,

l ,J

, Lrrdfistand

use appropriale rnethodological approaches, ski ls, and techn qLres that reflect the ns of the role of cLr ture in the helping process.

.,IANDARD

SERVICE DELIVERY n the use oiservices available in thecommunity

',' i

lwnk{rsslrallbeknowledgeabieaboutandskilfu
lr

,rrk]l

soc ety and be able to make appropriate referra s ior thelr d verse clents.

.' IANDARD

6.

EIVPOWERIVIENT AND AOVOCACY be aware ofthe eflect of social po icies wiih clienis whenever a ppropriate.

r fi)rklvs sha

nd programs on diversecient populatons

' v,- I rrjlor and

,,I
NDARO

7.

DIVERSE WORKFORCE in

, ,r wtrkrrs sha supporl and advocate for recruitanent, admissions and h r ng, and reterUon effols , ., wLrk progranrs and agencies that ensure d verslty with n the profession.
', IANDARD A. PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION

forcc diversity, professional edtrcatior.r, Ianguage diversity, and cross-culhrral leadership. According to NASW (zoor, p. z), "cultural conpetence in social u'ork practice implies a heightened consciousness of how clients expenence
their uniqueness and deal with their clifferences and sinilaritics rvithin a larger
social context." The clraftcrs ofthe NASW Standards for Cultural Cornpetence h Social Wnrk Practice (see'lirblc r.r) recognized the need to neasure and

'." rwrk.r\slral
,

irdvoca le for an d

pa

rticipate in educationa

nd ka n ing proffams that he p advance

l!

L ,{rtnrlence

w thin the profession.

.,IANDARD 9. LANGUAGE DIVERSITY

cvaluirte thcsc conlpctencies-

Il

, r witrkirr !lrr ls(!k to provde or advocate lor the provson ofinlormaton, L L rllr llr ,rl)lnoln nlc k) ltlc .]ent which may inc lde use of nterpreters.
'

relerrals andservrcesrn

other rvorcls, the devclopment of standards

goes Jraucl in hancl with thc clcvclopnreut of neasurcs to evaluatc the

irrple-

IANDARD IO. CROSS.CULTURAL LEADERSHIP

nreltatioir oltltcsc shnclards iu prcl>arirrg crrlttirllly corrrlr<.lcrrl plol<,ssiorrlls

(l
,ur

.,.rlw!(J,,r,rll!nl)'ilr)rr)n'rirL|'i(:at!rrlofifatonaboutdiverseclientgroLpstootherprofessionals

:oo7; NASW r99r).

'lltc crlttcutiotttlurttt ol lltc

ptolcssirrtt, lltc

(irrrtcilort

Socirrl Wrrli I itlr rcrt

lAlll I 1.2 0ljWl l(hr(:irlr(nriil l,r)li(iy.I ri Ar:crod tation Standards

r

Diversitv

conuuihnent lo preparing crrllrrrally conrpetent professionals to serve ir corrstaltly chalging, divcrsc scn icc colununity. 'l-wo clccacles ago, the CSWE-Corrrrrrissiol on Accreditation initially adc.rpted Standards on prcparing culhrrally conrpetcnt professionals that include outcome measLlres, curriculum nelhoclology, trnd courselearning objectives (CSWli zoor). 'l he newly adopted CSWI| (zoo9) Ii,ducational I'olicy and Accreditation Standards reflect ftrrther clevelopment of thc cornnlitmcnt to cnsuring that prolession:rls :lr-e prepared for culturally competent practice in a diverse society (for the content ofthese hvo standards, see'lable r.z). hr fact, both explicit and implicil curriculurrr EdLrcational Policy and Accreditation St:rndarcls aclclress our corr)nihrrelt to prcparilg culturally conrpctcnt profcssionals, thc intcrscctiorralilv ol multiplc lorms of idcntitics, ancl thc nced to
advancc hurnarr riglrts and social artd ccorrtxuic justicc across systenls, pracas we chanpiol our lrission to eclucate (Conrpton ancl Calaway 1999). crrltrrrally competent professionals

tion (OSWLI), lras also cnrbracccl

rI t lrill cuRRtcutuM

', r," ll(y21.4

w,

ifslituli.nrs, and society to ersLre that these basic human rights are d str bLted equitaby and without
prejudice. Soc

Elp.se{Iversly and d fter

a workers

. ,r .r rr';1hc hLrman experiefco and scriticat ' , r,rr,r .|ot dcntrty The dimensons ofd ver ,, , r ,lirslood as the interseciiona ity of mui', r l,r' rrud ng age, cass coor cLrlfutre, disr,grdo S6rda d-r. /,'o6.pn. ' " L r r rrlrirlon stalus, poltcal deotogy, race,
, i,,

r
r,, Lrx,(ysland how divers ty charactcrz

lnderstand the forms and mechan sms of oppression and dtscr m naton;
advocate for hLman rghts and socia and
econom c justrcei and

,
I

engage n practces that advance social and

economic lLstice.

I\,IPLICIT CU

R R

ICU LU

, rr', r | . l1l1r irxperiences may incude oppression, r " ry |,Itjifalitatof, and a ienatiof as wel as
,

d,ratolp,dtto, ol,dl\o,"e_ 'd IL llril asa consequence of differenc-., a ,

M'

Educationa Polcy

3.1

Dversly

rJ

tnrwer, and accaim. Socia workers

ticc levels, and pr:rctice approaclies,

'

,,,rrr/e the
rrLr

The progranr's commltment to d vers ifctudifg age, c ass, color, culture, d sabi ity, ethn c ty, gender, gender identily and expresson, rmmgralion

ty

extent to wh ch a culture,s h[{]s and val!es may oppress, margln-

status, political deology, race, reigon, sx, and a.r dl o-|orrdtior ,-.ofto. rad.1 rr ear i..I ar!l
ronment (lnstitutionalsetting; selection ot fied edu caton settings and their clrentele; cor.poston of progranr advlsory or field co;rnittees edLrcatonai and soc al resourcesr resource a location; program eadership; speaker seres, semrnars, and spec a p

r ,,i, ,rlrcfale, or create or enhafce privilege

PUTTING CULTURAL COMPETENCE INTO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PRACTICE

, | , , llicient se I awareness io ehrninate the , I rrrrc ol personal b ases afd va les in

L

ln addition to the nandates frorr the National Association of Social Work ers (1999, uoor) and the Couircil or Social Work Education (zoo8) re<lrriring
social rvorkers to be cultrrrally competelt, scveral inoclels Jrave bccn aclvarcc<l

, , , ^dr d omn-r .6 ,-I

l,rilng
r

wirli |g

w th d verse groups;

rnce

o8,d

.Looorl g o

ip

rF

adr'
.!6-

d1d o l
rp

-r .d
_

of the mportance ol difference in

tid.;rF . d rd .l-p d-To8,dp.ri

ulty, stafi, and studenL body).
Accredltat on Standard

rt) rrg lile exper ences; and

to gtriclc us in how bcst to incorporatc cultural sensitivity iu our profcssional rriissiou of providing social and ccononic justice for the people we serve. 'I'horrgh variecl, rrodels aclclress cullrrral corrpetence frorn the perspective of lhe praclitioner, tlie organization, and comnrunity involverrent. Figure r.r).
-['hese
moc] els arlso have beer acloptecl by the clornestic violence practice coruurunity (scc

- v w trcmseves as learners and engage ll , i wrth whom they work as informants.

, r,"
Polcy

3.1

Dlversiiy

21.5

Advznce h0maf rghlsznd

,rtrl ..ononic lust.e.

ely has lr^pdo-]. drar pr r r rbquate standard of lvng, health care, I rl r rlon Soc a workers recognize the goba , , rrrr1loIs of opprcsslon and are knowJ

' tr

irr '

rcgardless of position n soc

rgl

ld

3.1.1 The program describes the specfc ard continuous efforts t makes to provde a earning envionment in which respect for a I persons and understanding of d vers ty afd
difference are practtced.

3.1.2 The program descr bes how its tearning environment models afJrmaton and respect
for diversity and d fference.

I THE PRACTITIONER PERSPECTIVE

As rtotcd, cnltural corupctcncc is a devclopmental process that requircs
a

,li,,rllnrl

,,

1, r uf

ltreor es of lLrstice and strateg es to

3.1.3 program discr-tsses speciJic ptans to

mprove the learn ng envirofment to affirm and support persons wiih d ve6e denities. lhe e\piicit coricll,u, is p,c .lhcculrrrcof to di\esir,v

and crvr rghts. Soca work incor

',1

t,l

tJ.

r. ' .qr,t

dto,

loug-tcrnr corrrritnrcnt. It is not achicvccl simply by attcnding a one-day cultrrral scnsitivity workshop bul is :ur active process of leanring :urd practic irg ovcr lirre. Cliveir lhe rnultilaverccl cli,,'cr-sity ofour-prrcticc corrrrurritics, bccorrirrg itrrd corrlirrrrirrg to bc culhrrallv corll)ctcrt is crrsit r lo lrrlli rrlrlrt

ll , ,, rt)li. .LLi.IlLr), r[,s ],) llt .(1,(xltrnjrl c,,\no|nrcnt n, r,hjch , llr ,'t,,,'lra.(l ,'l tl,. li,ll,N,,q(1.r,.,,i\ llLr p,ogjrnis ..lnj,itnrc,,i

L rl

,l ,1., ,,

( ',,1

,,,1,,,,,, ). ,t.

i,k

Lr(

,,t,lnr ,,r,1, 1,, tr,\i',,trfL:

(Ltt

ir! lk ti. (

soil ,,q.

i,,tirIj

lt,e st,(lcjrr's

le.

ring atrd dclclotnj,cDi.

rl .,\

tlr. r\t)li.it rL,,,.Lrl,f,,i,,str.,pi|gl|cp,otcssionrlchrnctcrrncl

,,,,.,,i,i,t,1,:,,{.

,rtt,.Lr,.(,,,ri,,,,r,t\rt rtr\il,rs,)ttint),,)li$i(j,r'.(Cs\\.[,:oos.p,o).

r{) cULlufiAt coMl't

ILNcL AND lNll:llStcTloNALllY

ul|l,fiAl (:otvll,t lr NcL ANt) tNllltsL(:ltoNAUty

ll

. . . " '

Arrrrt
'r1'1'r',

rrt,ss rrrrrl rrr'r r.pl;rrrt L

,rl t rrllrrr;rl rlillr'rcrrccs lrrrrl rrsc o[ llritt activc

L i rliIrr 1,, rr rvit t rl, lrr, rr I'rircliliorrcr sclf-irwlrcncss o[, ard work on, the intpact oftheir orvn culIrrrrl, cllrrric, lrrd r:rcial predispositions in thc ltclping relationship

I)r'aclitiorrcr clcclication to thc need for corrtimring echrcation on thc <lynaruics of difference and constrltatiotr with experts lrom diverse culIrrr.cs,
{ Isc

lor thc prrrpose of cnhancing contcxtual rrnderstanding ofclicnts of knowledge of clients' cultures in practice to adapt intcrvention

rrpproaches to bctter neet clients'needs

Adaptation of skills to better rneet the necds of clients of diflerent

crrlhrres

'I lrc Lurn (zoo7, pp. 64-65)' nodel prescribes corrlpetence indicators for
l" ,tlr gcncralist alcl advanccd practitioncrs, and
l,.r rr ics

it includcs forrr core ctrrrrpe-

for practitioncrs:
Awarencss

* (lultural

Gener:rlist level: Consciousrress of one's oun erperJcrrccs LclaLed kr culhrral diversities; contact with, and awarcness of, othcr cultures/
FIGURE

1.1. Systems evel ofcultura

1y

competent practice and dornest c violence

"isrts" such

cthnicities (c.g., positive and legative experiences); vigilancc ofone's own as racisrr), ageism, sexisrn, classism, ablcisrn, heterosexism/ lr,,r rroplrobi:r. prcjrrclicc. rnd dr:crirrrir raliur r
Aclvanced level: Asscssment of invoh'enent with people from dircrse

than to accourplish. Cenerally, moclcls for the ctrlturalll cotrtpelent practi tioner lvorking u,ith tlivcrse Practice contrllttnitics prescribe six core valrres:

culhrrirl backgrounds witir rntrltilayered iclentities throughout the life sp:rn; cornplction of corrrse rvork, interlship, and research focused on
crrlhrral cliversity; empJoyment expericnces rvith cLrlttually diverse con.rrrrcrs lnd prograirs; academic ancl cnployrrent cvaluatiol of progrcss on atlainitrg acatlemic

Respcct and irppreciation of clivcrsitv, corrsistetlt rvith social nork vllues

alcl ethics

* Alvareness o[the dynartrics x [ngagerr. eul ofcolltinuous

one's owrt

ofone's olvn cliversity

Prolcssional cclucation

rlaterial; and professional cultural diversily

ol

cu]tures othcr thau

rPcrience

c Advocacy for m:rrginalizecl populatiols atrd work

fol

lhcrr

'

l(rrowlcdgeAcquisition
(lcneralist lcvcl: Unclerslancling cultural diversity terms; demographic l.rrorr,1cdgc of crrlhrrally clivcrse populations; critically thinking about

. r

elnpowerlncllt Support of an appropriatell clivcrsifiecl rvorl<forcc rncl org:rnizationel

crrlture Engagcnrent oflcaclership roles in celebrating clii'crsitv

crrltrrltl clivcrsily; turclcrslanding the history of oppression and of sociolxrlilicrrllv tlivcrsc gr.oups; krrowledge ofthc strengths ofpeople fronr culrilr
lrrrrrlly rlilclsc llrc kgrorrr rcls irrclr rrlir rg thc inlersectilg, mullilayercd diverl illrirr grorrlrs;rrrrrl lir ror'lcrlgc oI llr c vlhrcs of cL: lhrra]ly clivcrse grcrups

'l lrc nroclcl iuh,uttcc<l bv (}oss ct al. (r9E9) sLrggcsls that cttltrrr:rllv cotrqrctcnt " prrclicc lcrlrtircs llrc [rrllorvirrg "lrrtlividrrirl (]lrlhlral Ootllllclcrl<c Slill Ar"rs

llr:rl provirk,s grorrlr solirl;rlilt, grrrrrlr rrt lworks,;rrrd gr-onp iclcn lificatior

r.

1,, cul rLJliAl (loMl'l tlN0l

ANI)

lNllllStclloNAllrY

IIY Li

Arh'rtttcccl lcvcl; IJsc ol srslcttts ilrlLl Psvcllosociill llrctttf irr Ir''' li" witir consuntcls o[ clivcrsc luckgrotttlcls; knlxvlcdgc of thcor-ics orr rrtll nicitv, crllture, nlinority idcrltit)', nr)d social class; tttrstery of applied cross-cultttrai social scietrce thcclries altcl clisciplincs to corlstruct relcvant intersectilg knowletlge s1'sterrs of sociopolitically diversc grortps wiih all

l()
clir

irllrirr

pirsorrrl rcl;rliorrslrilrs

rrrrrlr' lrrrlislic rrrrrlt rsl;rrrtlirrg rrl lrrnl violcrrcc irr irrtirrralc is srrllxrr-lcrl or oplxrscd u'ilhin the nuitilaycrctl

clsc scclor of llris glorrlr

',

Asscss rrrrcl rrrrclcrstarrcl vcrbal ancl nonverbal cucs

of survivors of inti-

their multil:ryered cotlplexities ancl riclltress

Skill Development
Ceneralist level: C)verconliug coltsttlller resistancc to acknorvlcclgnellt of crrlturally' cliversc birckgrouncls ancl expctienccs; rtuderst:rntliug tLre
variations amottg inclivicluals

rrittc plrhrcr violcnce, thal is, cleternile what rn'orks and that cloes not; lrou,tlrc bcliefs :rncl behaviors of thc cultural group irffect worncrr survixls of intiilate p:rrtner violcnce and their chilclren; arld one's uwn pcrsorral leelings alcl rcactions to \'"omen survjvors of intinate partner violercc frorn an array of crrltural backgrourds rvith all their multilayerecl corrplcxities

fron

cliversc backgrouncls in self-disclosurc'

open aurl positivc stvlcs of cortruntricatiotr, discrinrirtation of prrrblerr

'

iclentification, asscsstllelit of strcssors, streltgths, :rntl clietrt clilnerrsiotrs (e.g., biological, psychologic:rl, social, culttual, ucl spiritual), csteblish rrcrt of cltlturallv acceptable goals, rltulti-s,vstenic intcneutiols, alcl
cLriturally scttsiLive tenliuatiorl

Crcatc and evalLrate culturally rclcvant ancl appropriate rnaterials, inlervenlions, alcl prograrns; and clevise contmunitv resource guicies colrtilirliug cnltural conpetency policies alcl values sensitive to thc
nrultilaycrccl clivcrsity presenletl bv ferrale survivors of intimate parbrcr

violclcc
GU

Advarced level: Desigrling progralts in cultltrally diverse corrtrnttuities; urrclerst:rnding the illPortalce of acccssible serviccs' belicf in rccrtlitirrg cstablish:r cliversc workforce, llarticipirtiort itl cornnlutlitl orttreach, ancl

IDANCE FOR ORGAN IZATIONS

( lross et

rrcnt of collabor atiorl with other agencics; fostcrirlg I coirclttcivc lgencv setting; engaging crrltural skill developtttcrtt rescarclr

al. (1989) also offer crrltural cornpctcircc guidance for social sen,icc or-ganizations, suggesting "iuichor poilts" along a continutrnr agairrst which

org:inizatiorul cuJtural conpctcnce is evaluated accorcling to the extent to

rr'hich orglriz:rtiolal attitudcs, practice, and policies reilfolce:

Inductive Learning
Gencralist lcvel: Pirrticipaling ilr cotrtintting discttssiotts witlr cLrltur

alll'cliversc ednc:rtors, practitiotlcrs, sttlclellts, atld colrsltlllcrs oll trrPic\

hrtLirc sttch as cltltur:rl colrPctclrce isslles, cnrerging cttlttiral trellcls' itnd at fostcring t:cu krrotltlirectiotts for culturally clivetse Practice ainrecl cdge arcl insight ort cLrlturalll cliversc social work prncticc Aclvancecl lcvel: Erlgagilg in inclLrctive rescarch olt culttirll cotupe tenccs aucl clisscrrtinating ncrl'iufotlnatiott via Publisliillg :rlld Prcscllt:1tions ol cnltural colnPctellcc alld cultrtrally divcrse Prilclicc

'l ltc supcriorih of the clorrinant culturc and its "destructive" effect orr cultures that differ; this reprcscnts the mosl negative eld of thc condeliberately nacle to srrppress or dcstroy non-donrinant culturcs Segregrtcd, ostensibly eqrral services arrcl practices tirat nark the organizatiorr's "incaplcitv" to hclp individuals from diverse cultural back-

tinuum, where culturc

is vierved as a problerrr and cfforts are

Tb apply tlresc principles ancl skills to rvorkirtg rvith wontcl srtrvivors of itrti matc p:rrtner violettcc, social rvo*ers atrcl othct httllatl sen'ice Ptacliticlllers

rrust do tlte lollowing:

:' Acqlrirc corc kttowlcclgc allottt *'olnctr front cttlttlrallt

(ittc trrclirrg ortc's orr't t) .tlc1
ir

clivetsc groups

grounds; an aclhcrclcc to scparate brrt "eqLral treatrDcut" ri 'l he prorrotion of cultrual assimilation b1' aclvocating "culhrral blindncss" tlrat clocs not incorpor:1te the nrultipJc, layered, and differentiatccl iclcnlities of constlmers arld assunes lhat cLrltrrre makes uo diffcrcrrce arcl lhrrs all peoplc arc thc s:rne :, Orgrrnizirlioral "cultural pie-coilpetence" in u'hich ln organizatron is rtrvltr-c rrrrcl scrrsitivc lo tlrc ncecls of ctrlturally divcrse inclivicluals ancl grorrps brrl ollcrr lrrkcs rro spt cific or- cor rcrctc :rc tions to irnprove cultural

rcl t it c itlxtLrt thc

clivcrsilt

rr

illl il r thcsc grtrLtlls

corrlxlcn(cirlrrllltvtlsrrsirrgprolotolssrrclrrrsslllflririlg,haining,:rncl

lxr:rrtl rr'prtsr'nl:rlir)r, or ()rlv rlrkcs slx,lr(lic {}r irr(!rrrsii,lclrl (llorls

tlris tlir cctior
r

irr

(:OMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Orgzr r rizatior

ral "cllllural cornPctcncc" by corrtimrallv dcntonstratitrg

\ltlrorrglr
,
,
,

pcr-lrrrps
I

rrol r-crrrlilv rrlrpalcrrl, sigrri[iclnl clivcrsitl is rlso prescnl irr

respcct for thc inpLrt of incliviclnals, orgarizations, arcl comnrunities rcprescrrting different cultures and othcr constructecl groups, and incorpo-

rrrrrrrrrri

ics. lrrrlcccl, ir nrajor prirciplc of culhrral conrpetence ancl corn-

rrLrrrilr.r'rrgagcrrrcrrt is lhc recognitiol that comnnrrrities cletenrrine their oun

rating those suggcstions

irto orgauizatiorral

opcratiorrs and practiccs

Organizational "proficiency and responsiveness" by actively enhancing cultrrrally cor)rpetent senices based on research initiatives ard dissentiuatirrg lhe findings, fosteriug cliversity relationships, and acting as an
advocate

rr,, rls 'l lrc N;rlional Association of Black Social Workers' (zooz) "Position ',lrlcnrclt on l)onrestic VioJcnce," ltasecl on thc premise of "iollectivc work

rcsponsibility," rcflects a similar paracligm. 'l'he Statenent asserts that tlrr',\iricitr Amclican commurity has a collcctive Lespousibility to craclicate ,1,'rrcstic violerrcc ancl that culhrrally conrpetent cornntunity intcwention 'rr,l
rr rr

rsl bc ainecl at helpiug African Anrericans fincl solid mechanisnrs to for

ti!

The litcrature reflects scvcral core stratcgies that thc staff of domestic violence orgitrrizations may engage in to begirt, rnaitrtain, ot enhrttce their organizations'cultural proFcierrcy. All arc designccl to facilitatc the creation of an organizational culhrre that rctively valucs and rcspects the divcrsilv of wonrel tlro are survivors of dornestic violelce arrd rttctttbcrs of a historically marginalized population. Examplcs of thcse stratcgies inclucle:

l',,rlllrv and stlble rclationships. Organizational staff rnay use "asset tuap1,,',1'k, ial"tttifr coDlnunity tucmbcrs who are dornestic violelce sun'ivors
,

'r ;rth oc:ttcs against irrtirnate l)artner violence and have the intcrest and abill\ lo listcir to, lerd, ancl orgarrize tJrcir fellow pecrs (L)iller zooTj Lum 2oo7;

t iross ct al. 1989).

r r : r r r r .

Maintaining ar atnospherc that u,elconrcs u,onrcn frottt diverse culhtral

backgrouncls

Conducting periodic self-asscssncnh of culhrral cornpetenc)' Devcloping an action plart for achievirg culhtral conrpetcrrcy l'ith clearly definecl goals, objcctives, benchrurk conrpeter)cies, ittrd irrtl>lernentittion ancl evalrration plals Instihrtionalizing crritnral competencv knos,lcdge ancl pracliccs l)eveloping particiPiltory, collaborative partnctships with cotttttrtttrilics
and tribes

Utilizing various forural ancl inforual nrcchanisms to facilitalc corrrru nity:rnd corrsumer irrvolverrcnt in dcsignirg, itrplentcnting, uttd plattning scrvice delivery systems and cultural competercy statrr<liucls linsuring that staff nrembers at all lcvels artd across all tlisciplirrcs rcrcrrc,
ongoirrg culhrral diversity educatior and trairing

Exploring and adopting service delivery moclels thlt reflcct l solid rrnclers tandir rg and appreciation of culhtral diversity, so that scrvtcc is responsive to clients'needs and arc delivcred itt a nanttet conrl>atible
rvith thcir cultLrral beliefs and practices, physical abilitics, and prcfclred
ianguage (Dillcr zooT; Luur zooT; Cross ct al. rt789).

,\ccoxling to Syurington (zoo.1, p. 7), wherr workirg in a cliversc cournunity "r( lcc(ls to :rsscss thc various fornrs of idcrti\' that arc critical orgarrizing l,rirrciples for a comnrunity, aud oftcr cuc the extelt to which rvomen and rlrrls in thc conrrurrri\'are oppressed and nrarginalized. Culturally compe l{ rl organizatior'ral persorurei arc aware of the ilfluencc of a courntnniqr's lrisloricai intersection ofsocial, ccorromic, gcnerational, race, gclder, disabilrtr, social class, and sexuality in the dcveloptletrt of mcntbers' self-identi$,. I lrercforc, to be cffectivc irr aclvancirrg the safeh and securitl of women and rlr ls in tlrc cornmrrnity, culturally competent staff, organizittkrns, aud ageucies rrrrrsl bc atterttir.e to the comnrunity's influerrcc orr identity. Knowledge ofand r, spcct for comnlrni$ clyramics is esscntial to culturally conpetcllt domestic r rolcnce ltracticc in conrmurrities (l)iller zooT; Lnln zooT; Cross et al. 1989). l)onrcstic violercc staff ard orgarrizatiolls shorrld carefully consider the rlrres ancl principles shaping thcir approachcs to providing sen ices and sup'. 1u,rl ancl goverrrilg thcir participation in, and engagenrcnt of, the cliversc , ,rrrrrmrrritics wlrcre thct, are located. Culturally compefent staff and orgarrizrrtions urrst urderstand that citizens ancl rvonrcn frotn these cornrrmrriiics irrc irhereltlv able to rccognize their ou,n problens and irtcrvene rppropriatcly or thcir orvn bchalf (Goodc zoor; Diller zooT; Luur zooT; ( lross ct rl. r9ll9). Corrsequcrrtly rsset nrappirg helps comnrunities focus ,'rr llrc sllcrgtlrs of tlrc resitlcnts ritlhcr tlr:rl their uceds (Kretzman and
N

lc

lirriglrl r993).

tl

{:lll ll|lAl r:(,lMl'l Il N(:l

ANI)

lNIl lls
:rrr<l

Wlrcrr rlrrtkitrg itt tlivi rsc colllllltlllili(s, cttllttrltlll tottrpt lcrrl slrrll orgllllizirti()rrs ttttrsl also ltllow u'olllctl sttlvit'tlLs of clo:ltcsiic violcttcc lo:

',,

; r

rl

'

; r

rrr

l llrr'ir r orrrrrrilrrrr.rrl lo slrrrgglc rrglrirrsl

clionrrlilv
lr r crrc or rr-rrgc

rrrc

iirl, scrr rirl, scuritl ori-

lrrlrtliott, rttrl rl;tss opprcssirrrr (llrtlrrtttcl l'lrocttir zoo4).'l'lrrs lhese wornen

* x
*

l)eterrlirre thcit ou'n trcerls bascd tlPoll their Particrtlar clivcrse itrtersectional corttextual realitics !'ully particiPate itt, auci bctlcfit fiottl, clecision m:rkirtg, problcrtt solvirrg, and plannirtg initiatives, as wcll as inlPlementirlg thesc strategics
llansfer thc knowleclge and skills gainctl from collabotation t'ith clotneslic r nlcrtce nrgl trizrtliot t. Engagc in colhborirtivc working relatiorrshiPs u'it1r lalnra], inforrrt:rl
support arcl helping networks sttch as irdvocacy associatious

(l)iller

zooT;

l,uni zooT; Cros et al. 1989).

rrp.r ir.rrilIiorrs ofllrcir iclcrrtitics as ucll its our ir tcr-categor ical ,,,:rri:rtions. Ihe inler r, t lionalih finnrcwork challcngecl :rn:rlyses and conclrrsions ofrnorc linritctl rlirrrcnsions thal emerged from Afric:rn Americirl-certcrcd, lulc-ccltcrccl, ;rrrl \,Vhitc, nriclclle cJass, fenrinist rnor.erncnts (Clrrolistcr .zoo(r; N{ann ancl llrrlfirrarr zoo5; Collirrs zooo). 'I'lrus a culturally cornpctent praclitioner rorking rvith inclivicluals fron divcrsc socic4roliticrl backgroLncls :rrrcl iden lilics ruust undcrstantl altl apprcci:rtc thal orrr livecl experiences are infltr L rrccd by the mriltiiayereci v:rriations of orrr hrrnan existercc. Furtlrcr., tJrc irlcrsectior of these rnultilayerecl variltiorrs of onc's cxistence inflnences llrc n:ttulc ancl cxtcrt of orc's sociopolitical oppressioir or urargirulizaliorr.
;rrlr;rrrcctl
ir rlc rsc

l
r

rlcepcr- tlrcler-stalclirrg of tlrc

crrccs ol A[-icrrrr Arrrcr-icirrr rrorrrcr] bv lookirrg

lt

tlrc ilh

a-categor ic:rl

INTERSECTIONALITYT AN ENHANCING FRAME FOR CU LTU RAL COMPETENCY hr the e:rrlier years ofthe fcrllinist lrtovelllellt's qLlcst for:rcccptancc arld its dcsire that all wor)en sPcak collcctively ancl in tttrison abotrt theit <.rppressiol and nrarginalization, pioneerirlg fenirtists protttoted tlle itlca that genclcr was thc linchpirt of oppressiotr, rcgarcllcss of otrc's tneubership itt rnLrltiple and layered categorical comtrtutrities (Synringtorr zoo4; Collirrs r998a, r998b; hooks 1984).'['his "utriversa] worra " PersPcctive nrctely pronotecl a gencler iclentitv.rrrcl ari arlti catcgoricll iclentity for other sociopolitical groups. Althorrgh thc "ttnivers:rl u'ornan" carnpaigtr rnay lrave
been rteeclecl for sociopolitical feasolls, womell froll ot]ler opprcssed artcl rnrrgilalizecl grorrps cltal)engcd iis asscrtion ofsanreness As a rcsult' the

l];rsccl

on this notion, cn)tnrally cornpetent practitioners mrrst understiucl the

sr-rr-r'ivors

rrr-iations rvithiir, ls nell as behveen, groups of wonrcll

prrrhrcr vioJcrcc.

of intiruatc

WHAT IS INTERS ECTIONALITY?

lrrlersectiorralilv is a concephral framervork, a nrelho<lologr for practice and ard a caialvst for social ancl economic jtrstice agerclas to aclclrcss social issues, srrch as those affecting women in otrr societl \\'ho expericnce
rcsearch,

intirlatc partlcr violcrrce. The interscctiorrality fiarrcu'ork acknorvlcdges tlrat u,omen irave nultiple ancl lalerecl iclentilies derived from biological irrlreritance, social relations, political slrLrggles, econonric statrrs, iurcl soci
cl;rJ porver stnlctrlre- Fbr example, the franrelvork helps rrs to be lrvare lhat
,r

concept of itrterscctionality sLrrfaccd, :ls 1l grotrP of bllck rcvisionist teminists challcrgecl thc rssettiotr of radical lvhite leminists that "genc1cr" was the priuarv factor dctcnttinirtg a \nolllall's fatc and that woncll wcrc a honogcneous category sharing essentially the sartre lilc cxpcrienccs (hooks rg84; Collins t9913a, r998b; Applcbl', Colorr, and I{anriJton zooT; llall zooo;
Schiele zooT).

rrl

ri.orlart rl,lto suffcrs clortrcstic violclcc at tltc ltancls ofhcr iutirratc parhrcr lrolrc may l>c a r,r'cll-rcspcctcd surgcorr in thc cornuunity (lvlcCall zoo5; lllrrlr ancl Phoenix:oo4; Synington zoo4; ColJins rc798a, r998b; flrenslrarv
r994; lrooks r984).

As e:rrlv as 1977 thc Combahee Rivcr Collcctive, a black lcsbian fenrinist organizatiorr, pointed out the fittilitv of privilcging :r singlc clirneusiotr of our lives as if it constittrtecl all )ife expcrierrces 'l hese women cxpressecl tlrcir awarcrcss tlrirl their livcs rvcrc prolorttrclly shapccl by thc sittrttltattcorts (rrrr c:ulicr lcrrr lot irtlcrsccliortrrlill) irltlrcllccs ofracc, dass, gcnclct, atlcl

'llrus, tlrrouglr this framervork, lve can exanine arcl clescribe the rvavs irr ulriclr variorrs socially ancl cultuiall,v construcLecl categories intemcL on rrrrrllil>1c lcvcls ancl irol' these interseclions contribute to uniqrre exlteriences ,rl olrplcssior ard nrerginalizrtion, as ivell as privilege in sociell (Svnringl{)r :ooj). lrrl<r-stcliorrrlil-r, rlrrcs rrol regard traditional lrctors or prerrises of olrprcssiorr rrrtl rrrrrgirrrlizrrliorr rvillrirr socictv (c.g., tlxrsc basccl ou racc :rrrcl , llrrricilr, qt rrrlcr, rcliliiorr, I I \ , sc\r rill or icrr{atior, cl:tss privilcgcs,
rr;r
ir rr
r

; r

i I

]lr (:tjllllliAt

r:r)tv

't

N(:l lNt) tN Ititl:

oNAllly

l,lrAt (iorvll'l II N(:l 4Nt) tN :RSLC

ONAT

try

t,r

;ur{l l)lrvsi(itl rtl)ilrl\)its irrtltlx,rrrkrrllv irrslrrrr.live. lrrslcrrtl. llrosc lrrrlors rrrt. !icrl'cd ls irrlcr-scclirrg rvillr (nrc rlotllcr ul lrllltiplc l)oirls, clcillllg slsl(rric opprcssiorl and lrlrginalizatiol tlrat reflech tlrc "intersectiorr" of nrLrltiplc
fcrrms of

WHY AN INTERSECTIONALITY CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK?

discrilrinalion (McCall :oo5; Cr.elshaiv

rc294;

Collins r998a, 1998b;

hooks r9E4).

Crcnsharv (r994) and Collins (uooo) contencl that social ald culhrral patterls of oppression are not only irrterrelatecl but are bound togelher ancl

influenced by the intersectional systerrs of sociely, suclt as race, gelcler, socioeconouric statrrs, and cthnicitv. Therefore, sirrrple acknowleclgment that a n'onan lives il a scxist society is insufficicnt information to describe her expcrience; instcacl, it is essential to knorv thc total dimensions of her reality, incluclilg, for ex:rrrple, hcr cultrrral oricntation, race, sexlrnl orielltation, age, sociocconornic status, and so ol. Moreover, interseclionality suggests thlt thc \(rran colscqllently expcricnces discrcte fornrs of cxpressed
oppressior, slraped by irrtcractional rclationship arnong ancl behvccn these
cirtegorical f:rctors.

lrirrg irrlcrsc<.li,rrrlil' rr* .r l. rrrrcrv.r.k lrclPs rrs rccog'ize ,'d urclersta.ci rrrrlliplc cutcgoricul i<lcrrti[icrs arrc] uucovcr thc various fornts ofdiscrinri_ rr;rliorr rrd oppr-cssion tlr:it rcsrrlt fiom thc interactioiral conrbination of ll,r'sc calcgorical i(lcntilies so that we catr r,,,ork conpeteutly rvith worncn rrr rlorrestic violcnce situatiorrs (Synington zoo4). Wc view,the intcractr,'rr oI rrrultillycred catcgorical ideltities as producing substantivcly dis_ lrrrcl cliffererrces betwcen ald within those identities, as well as procltrc_ rrrq variable incre:rscs in cliscrimilation and opprcssion. For example, thc ln t tl cxpericnces of an African Arnerican urother rvith five chilclren rvho is rrrcrrploycd, has jimited educ:rtiorr, ancl is living il a rural southern corr rrrrrrrilv:ue substantivell different froin her African Anerican counterpart
I
rr

lro has no childrer and is employed as a bank tcller in an urban city

A wonan's livccl expericnccs, therefore, rcflect the coruplex, irreducible realities ihat resrrlt nhcrr rrultiple social, polilical, cultrrral, ancl experiential axes of cliflerentiation intcract in slraping orrr livcd experieuccs (Collils :ooo; Crcnshar.v 1994; Co)lins r998a, r998b; Brah and Phoenix zoo4, p. 7(t; Sokoloffancl l)upont zoo5). In other rvorcls, an intersectional perspectivc suggcsts that to fully understancl the oppressiorr of $,omen, one nust uldcrstand thc lrrultidinleusionrl, sociallv constmcted categorization that irflnenccd the
experienccs ofrvoDren

Whel cxaniling ancl understanding within-group (intra-categorical) .rrrrl bctu'een groqt (intcr-categorical) r'ariations, the ain is to reveal rrrearr_
rrrs[rrl dislinctious ancl sirri]arities for the purpose of addressing thc oppres_ ,ror r iurd discrinination of rvomen victimized by domestic violencc. Eclually r nlx)rtaDt, an intersectionality perspectivc helps us to better ulderstand and

\ 'rr li, lrrgu,r.

il

generirl, but, specificall)', those expericuccd by each

tire impact of these col\rerging identitics on access to oppoftLrnities, is further complicalecl by the impact of laws, policies, programs, trcl lrrrrclicc initiatives or the aspects of our lives that are inextricably linkecl
.rsrcss

r lrich

rvontart who is a survivor of irrtirnatc partner violence.

An intersectionality conccptual framervork pronotcs grcater enphasis orr rulrltilayered variations rvitltin a group as opposed to thc traditional focus on variations bctu'een groups which all too often stiflcs a holistic nultidinrelsional urrderst:rndilg of one's livccl experienccs. The tratlitional approach that compares cliffcrences betu'een groups rcinforces the notion that one group rnal,bc uscd as Lhe critcrion against which anothcr grorrp is cornpared. This altproach contimes the oppression and marginalizatiol of those urho are cliffcrclt frorr thc clominant critcrior colnparative group. As ciiscusscd in thc lcxt sectiorr, an intersectionaliry- conccptual fratncwork enlranccs onet unclcrslancling ancl culttrral conpetence in our practicc rvith diverse corrrrnunities in gcnerll brrt cspcciaily wonlcn and particularly woncn srrrvivors ofintirrate parhrer violcnce as opposcclto lhe coltimreci opprcssion and ularginalization of w'orucn.

lrrqctlrer to form our identi[, (Syrningtol zoo4; McCall :oo5). Consirler, imrrigrant female non-lthg)ish_speaking ,l,rncstic rvorkcr fronr El Salvador, wlro is sexually assaultecl and physically .rrrtl filancially abLrsecl bv a husbancl who is a naturalized U.S. citizen. It
1,rr cx:unple, an nndocunentecl

r! llrc intersectionality of her nultilaverecl identitics (ferrale, poor, foreign

, itizcn, non-nativc langLrage speakcr) that place her in a vnlnerable position

irrcur abuse and oppression. The aclditional intersectiol of the policies rrrrl laws (e.g., pubJic housing policics, enployrrent poiicies, citizenship l.rrr s, policics of shelters for abLrsecl woneu) that ftrrther dcfine the identity rrrrl vrrlrrcrabilitr of rhis partictrlar ferlale irrnigrant, based on the extent
,,1

t.

rcspousivercss to Jrcr specific needs. A change in one identitl lavcr_for rrrsl;rrrcc, cilizcrrshill stahrs ratlrer lhan untlocnnetrtcd irrmigrarrt _ woLrlcl lri.r'ly rrltcr. lrorv lhc urrnran u'orrld bc cffectively scrvccl by a dornestic vio_ rrcc or-girrrizrrliorr, rcsrrlliug irr lr differcrrt inlclscction rvith policies and ,,rt ioccorrorrrir. rlrrrrrrrir.s (cligilrililr' [or lcgrrl crrrplovltent u,ith at ]east a

1r

lll llllill

r'ot\ 'tllN(ll

lNl) lNllti\r{:lloNAlllY

\\][i( ) (S\rrll!il{)D r(!).1. l}trtlr l (l lrlro(lli\ :,,().lt Sr)l0l0ll 1ll(l l)rrlxrrrl :, r,.,: \lt ( l;rll :,,,;). l lrc irrlcrscc liorruiilv corrr.cplrrirl [r:rrrrc*'ork rcplaccs cliclrotorrrous, birran tlrirrkirrg ul>ollt p(^rer lrt focusiug orr specific contcxls, rlislinct crpcrjcrccs, nncl lhc clralitltivc asl)ects oIcqullitr, <]iscrinrination, itnd ilrstice, perrrritting lls k) \\'ork sirrmltirrreorrslt' or behalf of orrrsclr,cs and otllers (Svrrringtorr 2oo4). Tnterscclioralitl is an itnportult corrccptrrirl paracligrl for lrclping us applccillc the rreecl filr Dlorc conrpctelrl professiorrals, serriccs, ancl progr:rrns r,lrcrr *rrrkilg rl'ith rvonerr victirlizecl itl inlinrate parlrcr riolcncc. Irtcrscction:rlih, lhcrelrlrc, is ll irrclisl>cnsablc corceptual paradigm to grriclc our-firlurc practicc, 1>olicr', .rth,ocitcr', arcl rescarch lgerrcl:rs lrrd actiors, crrablirrg rrs kr bccorrre colrpcter)t puctitiolcls irr orrr.figlrt kr cr:rclicatc violencc ilgainsl !\'onrcl and their chilclrcl *'ithirr all tlrc tlirncnsions o[ dilcrsilr' (Sllringtorr zoo4: Sokoloff ltrd Drrpont :oo5;
N4cOall :oo5). Oorrrpclcncc to t'ork cffcclilclr witlr sun,itors ofiltinrllc partrrcr I iolctrce witlrin tlre coltcxl of lhcir pariicLrlar ilcliviclual clivcrsitl cicpelcls ou a thor-

lllrllllIllll

l>lcri\ of the oftl:cil ltullilalcrecl calcgorical idcrrtificalion. All irspccts of professiorrll prircticc lrust l>c basccl on a coirrplctc pichrre ofthe social, ccolonric, politicll, and cLrlttrral rcalitics of rr'ourcrr in clonrcstic violcrrcc
assessr

ough

r errt tlr at ir ritiirlll arrd con tinuoLrslt caph rrcs tlr c con

irrtcrw'over issucs

situalions. \\/ithorrt an irlcrscctiolal pclspcctivc, otu adrocilc\, inlcrverliolls, ard progrartr iniliirlives crnnot urcl ri,ill nol aclrierc their lull irrtcrrdecl potcn-

FIGURE

1.2. lntersectionality of cultural

diversrty.

tial (Srrningbn :oo4: SokoJoffrrlcl l)rrpont:oo5; NlcCall :oo5).

'ror

r,

rr

nrginitlizatior

r,

aud cliscrinrirutior lrrcl tlrc cclclrrltion oltclivcrsih

ir itll

rl' rrrrrPlexitics

as [rrrrdanrcrrta]

lo a crrltrrlalll corrrl)elclt practicc.

INTERSECTIONALITY: AN ESSE NTIAL DIMENSION

OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY
-A

rrajor ariorn of lhe il ltcrsccti(, raliw- concclthral frlrrrcu'olk is that rvhlt u,e tlrink delcrrrrines tlrlt rrc tlo arrcl horr rrc do it.'lhus thc:rpplicirtion o[rrr interscctioliillill, cor rccphraliz:rliou in orrr <1ucst lo becorlc nrore ctrlhrraliv scl-

sitir c itttd corttpelcrt in orrr dorrrcstic violcnce sork rc<;rrircs rrs

b tlrirrk diffcrently Nl)out idcntib ancl tlrc nnllihverccl intersectiorr oficlerrtih,, etlralitr', lncl polcr (Srrriugtor :oo4). l.irr er:rrnplc, rrierr torking rrith fcnr:rle srrrvirrrrs of inLirrirte partncr violence, advocales rll(l sociill ll,ork ltuctitioners lllllst foclls
the poirrts of irrtersccticln, conrplcrih, dlrramic ;>roccsscs, arrrl stmclrrrcs Urlt clcfine llrcsc rvornel's lcccss to righls and opportrrlitics nrlhcr llran on one
isstrc.

on

lll

tlcfiritire cirtcgorr or isolitted

\\'c

nrrrst

lieu thc r:ra11ir,:rtiorr ofopprcs

,\cltlitionalll', this corrceptual frlnrcu,ork ntrst penrcale r11 aspccts of prrtctrtc. rrrhocacr, arrd polio initiati\cs, bcgirrrrirg litlr the irrilial Asscssnrcrt. l'rrnllv irsscssr:rcut lc.rds b laulty l)lartnillg, irrogrrrrnrilg, policics, ulcl prac lri c irritiatircs. Rrr irrstancc, a researchcr using in irrlcrscctiortalih itpproaclr r( orlxlrates tlrc qrrirlitativc pcrsorul acc(nlnls arrcl tcstirlonics frour survirors ,'l rkrrrrcstic liolerrcc irs scll as a cluarrtitlti\c rlulti\lriate anallsis o[ disagr rr qrrltcl claiu lo rcllcct thc rtultilrtl'crcd iclcntitics ofrorrcn. OLlr nssessrDclrt .,',,1 rtscurclr rrrrlhsis shorrltl lirrr to rercal horr practiccs lrrd policics shirl>c llrc lircs o[uorrcrr irrpirclcd bv donrestic violcrce rather tllrll exlggeraling llrr rlillclcrrccs lrclrrccrr rrorlcrr frrrrrr rlilfcrclt socia] lnd p<llitical realitics. I lrt rr'lorc, l lrcrr lrrr;Lllzirrg llrc irrrplrcl rrf sociocconorttic stilllls on t]tc coltlr'rlrr:rl crltrir'rrtcs ol rrorrrcrr irr rlrrrrcslic riolcrrcc silrratiorrr. lc rrrlrld rrrt

l|At (:ot\fl,t n N(:t ,,lol, irl ir llrr'

1x

ANt)

tNll(slcltoNlllly

lrrlrr,, tlrrl rIrrrrcslrt.viok,rrcl

r

is rlis|rrrlxrrliorrrlt.lr lrrrglr,.r .,,,,,,,,;i

rorr,sl gr

rr

rlrs

ol

u,or r r.r r; ir rslcir<1, ryc

rrlrrltl cxpklrc

.r

{rrr(

\r/(

IiIs rtll , rr,I,,rr,rr.

IIrl

issuc is corrrPlr,r rrrr<l rrol r,rrsill rcsolvccl, iurrl

sizcs.

llr<.

lr isk rr ir.r

rl ;x,licics

;rrrrl pllrt liccs llral ltavc corrtriltLrlcd to

rcl viclirrizirtiorr, incluclirrg linritccl ccorrorrric privilegcs, political dyllartics, policv, I)racticc, atld prograr)lratic clcsigls and impletnentation (Synringbl
2oo4; Ivlccall 2oo5).

lilc crpcricnccs lostcrirrg irrtirrrirlc 1:lrt-

tlr, r'lrrrllt ngc is lrrrr lx sl lo :rccorrrrrrrxLrlt rrll llrc lxrssiblc

As illustratcd in Figure r.2, wonren rmrst bc vicwed as having rrrtrltilayerecl, sociopolitical identities and dinensions steluming frorn race, color,
age, social class, scxual

\\'r'lrtvt srrggcsitl crrlrrrrcirrg llrc crrllrrlal corrpclcrrcc ltlraclignr by addrrli,rrr inlcrsuliorr:rlil1 lrrrrrcurrrk io lrctlcr rlccl thc rcccls ofthc cliversc ;u'1'rrIrlirrrr ol <lrrrrrcslic li<rlcrrtc srrrvir'ors. Worlen conre to rrs with rlullrl.rrclccl irlcrrlilics llrrt irrc slrirl>cd, rcshrped, arrd sonrctirues disrlantlccl I'r irrtIilirIrrlI lirclors irrlcrscctirrg rrith onc arrothcr;rncl uith political and
,,rr

orieltation, abilities, religion, qrirituality, ethnicity,

irrc(orrorrric issrrcs tlut oflcn Precipitate margirralization, opprcssion, ancl

nationality, physical charactcristics, culhrre, history, gcographical location, language, and migrant siatus, and yet still be scen as trniquely whole. 'fhus women suruivors of intirnate partner violence rnust be vicr.r,ed as cxhibiting complex, interiocking sociopolitical iderrtities and group urenrberships that are all equally irnportant in shaping wonren's lived experiences. The irnpact of these rnrrltilayercd identities ol women's livcd experierrces is not simply currulative; each sociopolitical multilavcred identity canlot bc cxtracted fron all the other dimensious of identity (L,un zooT). As stated bv Brah aud Phoenix, (zoo4, p. 76), orrr diverse identities can:rot be separated out into discrete antl pure strancls; they all intcrscct and interlock to define who we are and how the dourinate societl interacts rvith inclividuals-in tltis case, women survivors of intimate partrer violelce. In other worcls, does the dorninate socic$ value and respect, opprcss and marginalize, or accept and prize diversi\'among its citizens? Whcu a society is rehlctant to ackrorvleclge and celebrate diversity, tnernbcrs of rnultilayercd cliverse groups and of cionrinaut socictal groups both suffer. When ntcrnbcrs of cliversc groults live in a societl,that prornotcs policics, latvs, and practices that cliscrin.rinate, opprcss, and marginalize people who arc different from the dorninant society, they often stnrggle with both externalizcd arrd irrtcrnalized opprcssion.

,lisclirrrirrltiorr.'l'lrcsc intcrscctiorrs crc:rte d),narnics bcvoncl the inclividualrz, rl lackrrs artl atc cliffcrcnt for each <lornestic vio]cnce survivor. l hcrcfore,
, llt r tivc pluc tices rvith worn

cl

srtrvivors of intinra tc partncr violcnce secking

,rrrl ussistlrrcc dcserve this nlore nuanced, reality-based approrch. As yoLr r, ,r,l tlrc followiug chlpters on cliversc groul>s ofnornel survivors ofiltirrratc I'rrr lrrcr violencc, corrtinrre to applv vour interscctionalitv-ilrfused cultural r orrrpclcncc Icns to frrrther prolnotc your rrnclcrstanding of these r,i'onreu's lrr c tl contextual exl)erier)ces.

ESOURCES AND WEB SITES

'rrrcJ

Nlrlv tesources orr thc httcrnet pror iclc inforrnation on crrltrrr:rl conpeterrcc, they conrc from various discipiiues inchrding social work, education,

rrrctlicinc, public Ircalth, ancl nrcntal health.

INCITE! Womcn of Color Against Violence

l'.O. Rox:26
l{cdnrond, WA 98o73 I'lrone: (484) 932-3166

INCITE! Worncn of Color Against Violence is a nationai activist orgaDizirtion of rrrdicll fcminists ofcolor adr,ancing a movelrent to end violencc against l'orncn of
trrlor ancl our conrrrunities thronglr direct action, critic:rl dialogue, arrd grass-roots
rrlganiziug.

CONCLUDING THOUGHTS
The ubiquity ofdomcstic violence virtually assures that it rvili appclr witlr different actors, in clifferent forrns, and in different contexts. lt is rrol srrrprisrlg, therefore, that thc dornestic violencc nlo\Drent, as in other ltrofcssional are,
nas, is engaging itr diaiogue around the development ofstratcgics and profiles that acldress tirosc dvrramics and variatious.'fhis area ofpractice is clcarll,not

National fusociation of Social Workers ;io I,'irst Street, NE . Suite 7oo. \\/ashington, DC zoooz-4:4r l'lrone; (:oz) 4o8-86oo
Wcb
si

te: http://rvrvt.socialworkers.orglpressroonr/zoozlozo5oz.asp

NASW cultlral conrpetclcy standards; rcquircs rrrerrrbclslrilr for acccss.

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l)cliverv jjoo Whitchavcn Strccl, N!V, Suite 33oo Washingtol, LX) :ooo7
Atlclrcss lirr Visitors uucl

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