Position Paper on Violence Against Women Without Immigration Status
Prepared by West Coast LEAF
Women without immigration status are at increased risk of abuse. They are unable to access to safe, legal and sufficient sources of income and other social services to protect their health and safety. All women living in Canada, regardless of immigration or citizenship status, have right to live free from violence; however, women without status are forced to live between remaining in an abusive relationship and the fear of deportation in the reality. As sponsored women, they also face particular barriers such as language, social isolation and a lack of awareness of their rights. To eliminate violence against women without immigration status, women’s safety and security should be of primary concern in developing immigration and refugee legislation, as well as other law and policy that affects them.
Last month, West Coast LEAF published a paper in response to the growing problem on the issue of violence against non-status women in Canada. The problems in immigration and refugee legislation, as well as other law and policy that affect non-status women are highlighted in the paper. More information is available here
