Multicultural Immigrant Coalition
Against Violence

Goals

• Immigrants will access more efficient and appropriate domestic violence services.

• Domestic violence and immigrant service providers will become more effective resourcesfor their clients and other organizations.

• Domestic violence and immigrant service providers will support and shape public policy.

Members

• Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence
• Association of Haitian Women in Boston
• Boston Area Rape Crisis Center
• City of Somerville, Commission for Women
• Cooperative Economics for Women
• F.O.C.U.S.  (Finding Options for Change Understanding & Safety)
• Greater Boston Legal Services
• HarborCOV
• International Institute of Lowell
• Jewish Family & Children's Services of Greater Boston
• Lowell Community Health Center
• Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers
• Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
• Rape Crisis Services of Greater Lowell
• Refugee and Immigrant Assistance Center
• Transition House
• Simmons College

History

On May 5, 2006, ATASK hosted a day-long forum, To Demystify and Embrace the Gray Areas, for domestic violence prevention agencies and organizations that work with immigrants to discuss the issues faced by their constituents and to identify best-practices within the field. The forum was the first step to open dialogue among the groups and to offer an opportunity to strategize and organize. Participants had many opportunities to assess challenges facing their clients and compare approaches to meeting the needs of immigrant communities. ATASK also presented the results of our Community Needs Assessment project, which was supported by The Boston Foundation. The forum provided a critical opportunity for staff - especially professionals from smaller agencies outside of mainstream domestic violence organizations - to share ideas, learn about more resources and build partnerships. There were approximately 100 individuals representing different organizations.

Using the forum as a launching point, we started building a statewide coalition of agencies serving immigrant communities and battered women to strategize on common issues, share resources and strengthen partnerships. With funding from The Boston Foundation, in June 2006, MICAV grew from a few members to over ten. The Coalition continues to grow and develop, holding monthly meetings, discussing goals and objectives, and following a strategic timeline to improve services and access for immigrants and domestic violence survivors alike.

Highlights

Survey: If you are an immigrant or domestic violence social services provider, please take an online survey to help us define your community's specific needs and to improve and provide more culturally inclusive services to domestic violence/sexual assault survivors and immigrant communities.

Events

MICAV Launch 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Linda K. Paresky Conference Center, Simmons College