Provider Experiences of Utilizing the Violence Against Women Act to Support Immigrant Survivors of Domestic Violence.

Purpose: Immigrant survivors are disproportionately vulnerable to domestic violence (DV) and face complex barriers to DV help-seeking. Several Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) reauthorizations sought to address these barriers. This study explores immigrant survivors' experiences of utilizing VAWA provisions from service providers' perspectives.

Materials and methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews (n = 11) to learn how service providers are supporting immigrant survivors of DV as it relates to VAWA. A convenience sampling method and inductive coding were used, followed by a thematic analysis of data obtained from the interviews.

Results: We identified three main themes: "Provider Support for VAWA Utilization Through Their Agency or Referrals," "Barriers," and "Provider Recommendations to Support Survivors." Providers highlight the gaps in access to service provisions and strategies that ensure empowerment, safety, and support for the needs of immigrant survivors.

Discussion and conclusion: Future research should include service providers from across all regions of the U.S. Social workers should utilize a client-centered, trauma-informed, culturally responsive approach when working with immigrant survivors. Policy implications include (a) that "any credible evidence protection" recognized by VAWA provisions is acknowledged for U-Visa approval decisions, (b) making optional the requirement that survivors assist law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of the crime, and (c) increasing the U-visa cap.