Citation

Shim WS, Hwang MJ. J. Fam. Violence 2005; 20(5): 313-328.

Affiliation

School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas; School of Social Work, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas; School of Social Welfare, University of Kansas, 1545 Lilac Lane, Twente Hall Room 305, Lawrence, Kansas, 66044.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2005, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s10896-005-6607-4

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

In response to the lack of research on the effect of arrest in deterring domestic violence in minority communities, a qualitative exploratory study was conducted with Korean American social workers providing services to Korean domestic violence victims in the New York metropolitan area. The authors examined study participants' perceptions about their clients' experiences of arrests in domestic violence situations. Findings reveal major barriers for Korean victims that prevent them from utilizing help from the police. Main themes from the data show both negative and positive results from arrests. Participants perceived arrest as an ultimately necessary tool for deterring domestic violence in the Korean community in the U.S. Participants suggested some changes in the criminal justice system to better respond to immigrant victims of domestic violence. Practice and policy implications are discussed.