Access to Language Interpretation and Culturally Sensitive Services for Abused Immigrant Women in Non-Urban Centers of BC

Access to interpreters for abused immigrant women seeking community services in non-urban centers of BC is one of the most significant barriers they encounter. Without interpreters, abused immigrant women living in rural and small communities must navigate the service landscape where miscommunication and misunderstanding about their problems and needs can exacerbate their situation and delay their access to support services. This paper explores why access to interpreters for abused immigrant women is limited or non-existent in many regions of this province, and how this is connected to broader questions of racial equality and inequality. Drawing on 30 interviews with criminal justice, immigration and family law service providers in four regions of British Columbia, this paper highlights the key barriers for abused immigrant women as a result of having no access or limited access to interpreters and culturally sensitive services. I argue that equitable access to domestic violence services for women of all cultural groups is an important goal if the safety of all women matter. Critical scholars have long pointed out that formal equality, or uniform services in a multiracial society, will not ensure equality of access. Given that language barriers in situations of domestic violence can potentially lead to tragic outcomes, there is a need to recognize the importance of providing equitable treatment for all women experiencing domestic violence in BC.