British Journal of Social Work Vol. 42 no. 5 (Jul. 2012), p. 870-886
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N2 - Violence against women is an international social problem that social workers encounter on a daily basis. While prevalence figures vary around the world, it is sometimes believed that women in some ethnic minority communities are more likely to experience this form of violence. One of the communities about which this is a perception is the travelling community in Ireland. This paper explores the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) within this ethnic minority community. Using a mixed-method approach that sought the views of both traveller women and a range of Irish service providers, the complex interaction of culture, racism and discrimination on women experiencing abuse is explored. The impact of these factors on traveller women's ability to leave a violent relationship is discussed and the implications for social work practice are outlined. While social workers need to fully comprehend the dynamics and complexities of such forms of abuse, the particular needs of women in ethnic groups such as the traveller community need to be understood and appreciated when interventions are being planned and implemented. The paper discusses the role of the MSLC social work model of working with IPV in minority ethnic communities UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/bjsw/bcr140 ER -