A Preliminary Exploration of Arab Older Immigrant and Refugee Women Experiencing Intimate Partner Violence in Canada

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a global public health concern affecting women across all societies, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or age. Beyond gender, other social identities—such as immigration status, race/ethnicity, and legal standing—intersect to increase women’s risk of IPV and shape their experiences of violence and access to services. With the rising number of immigrant and refugee women globally, coupled with an aging population, both age and immigration status create additional layers of vulnerability. This study aimed to explore the experiences, service utilization, and support needs of Arab older immigrant and refugee women who have experienced IPV in Canada. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with one older Arab immigrant woman with lived experience of IPV and three individuals who provided support to Arab older women in either paid or unpaid roles (N=4). Interviews were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis. Participants indicated that Arab older immigrant and refugee women underutilize available IPV services for multiple reasons, including stigma, lack of awareness about existing resources, fragmented services, and language barriers. A unique finding was a strong preference for services to be provided by female healthcare and social service providers, reflecting cultural and religious considerations. Trust and culturally sensitive care were identified as essential for supporting disclosure and access to services. To improve service utilization among Arab older immigrant women experiencing IPV, organizations must engage in targeted outreach and awareness campaigns, using linguistically and culturally appropriate strategies. Partnerships with Arab community leaders and organizations are critical for building trust and reducing stigma. Additionally, whenever possible, offering services through female providers should be prioritized to respect cultural and religious preferences and enhance women’s comfort and safety.