A rapid evidence review of interventions to identify, prevent, and address intimate partner violence experienced by refugee women in post-settlement settings

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) occurs across cultures with adverse health and social outcomes for women. Refugee women experience additional challenges that hinder help-seeking in post-settlement contexts. The aim of this review was to identify interventions that identify and respond to post-settlement IPV experiences of refugee women. An electronic search was undertaken, between May and June 2022, of the following databases: Scopus, PsycINFO, Proquest, Web of Science, PubMed, and PTSDpubs for publications. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. This rapid evidence review using narrative synthesis identified seven studies from six databases. Four narratives for interventions for refugee women in post-settlement settings were identified: (1) working across cultural barriers; (2) gender inequality as a barrier to accessing IPV interventions; (3) understanding rights, responsibilities, systems, and supports are central; and (4) coordinated responses are essential to interventions. Cultural barriers and gender inequality were identified as hindering the implementation of IPV interventions. Interventions aimed to ensure refugees understood post-settlement rights, responsibilities, systems, and supports are warranted. Furthermore, when language barriers were overcome, coordinated service responses produced favourable outcomes for refugee women experiencing IPV. The results identified possible means of addressing challenges to IPV interventions with refugee communities including overcoming language barriers, enacting cultural responsiveness, addressing pre-and post-migration stressors, and providing education to support women to understand rights, responsibilities, and post-settlement systems. Future research, practice, and policy should consider coordinated service responses for IPV interventions with refugee women in post-settlement settings.