Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Phenomenological Study Of Undocumented Latina Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence, Sharon Gandarilla-Javier

Legacy Theses & Dissertations (2009 - 2024)

This study undertakes a phenomenological examination of the lived experience of undocumented Latina survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). This study served two purposes. First, to provide a greater understanding of this experience through the lens of the survivors, drawing on feminist and empowerment theories. Second, to explore why underreporting is more prevalent among undocumented women versus U.S. women citizens, especially during a time of heightened fear of deportation. To answer this, several questions were used as probes. These included: how the lived experience of IPV had impacted women’s decisions to leave or not leave an abuser; what motivators influenced …