We’re Building the Bridge While Walking on It: An Anti-Oppressive Social Work Response to Intimate Partner Violence among Immigrant Women in Canada

Abstract

Intimate partner violence (IPV) among immigrant women in Canada remains a deeply complex and often underreported issue, shaped by intersecting structural, cultural, and socio-economic factors. Barriers such as precarious immigration status, language limitations, cultural stigma, and economic dependency significantly constrain access to support and protection. Conventional social work responses, which tend to rely on standardized intervention models, frequently fail to account for these layered realities. This article adopts an anti-oppressive practice (AOP) perspective to critically examine how social workers respond to IPV within this context. Using a practice-oriented, three-phase analytical framework, the discussion explores (1) the identification of complex and intersectional client needs, (2) the development of adaptive practice strategies under institutional and resource constraints, and (3) the navigation of ethical dilemmas alongside stakeholder engagement. The phrase “we are building safety in pieces” is used to conceptualize the evolving and uncertain nature of practice in this field. The analysis suggests that effective responses require flexibility, cultural responsiveness, and a strong commitment to social justice. Ultimately, the article argues that anti-oppressive approaches enable more equitable and context-sensitive interventions, while highlighting the need for continuous reflexivity in social work practice.

This article is derived from a Ph.D. thesis submitted to the University of South Africa, Department of Social Work, titled "Violence Against Immigrant Women in Canada: Experiences of Clients and Solutions Presented by Social Work" by Baffour Asamoah, supervised by Professor Paul Mbedzi.