Victimized immigrant women in Portugal: factors associated with formal and informal help-seeking (Las mujeres inmigrantes víctimas de agresión en Portugal: factores asociados a la búsqueda de ayuda formal e informal)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Few studies have focused on immigrant women’s help-seeking that is due to factors such as having a history of multiple victimization. This study aimed to evaluate the frequency of help-seeking and the factors associated with informal or formal sources. The participants were 84 immigrant women in Portugal who had experienced any form of violence in the host country. The results showed that 92% of the participants had experienced victimization for the first time in Portugal, and 58% had not sought any type of help. Lower length of stay in Portugal is a predictor for informal help-seeking, while being Caucasian, having a higher number of victimization experiences, having higher severity perception and having low psychological disadjustment were independent predictors for formal help-seeking. The relationship between victimization and help-seeking was fully mediated by the severity perception of victimization. The choice of where help is sought depends not only on the history of violence but also on structural factors, identification as a victim and the perception of danger. Practical implications are discussed at the preventive and intervention levels.