The issue of domestic violence is undoubtedly a human rights issue. With very few exceptions, abuse against women within their own home is a universal happening that transcends socio-economic status, religion, education, age, ethnicity/ race etc. Some people have begun to make a strong legal case for conceptualizing domestic violence as a human rights issue, given the similarity and close parallel between domestic abuse and terrorism. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states "no one shall be subjected to torture or to inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment". However, this provision has not been used or interpreted in cases of domestic violence. The reasons may include, among others, the fact that human rights provisions have been applied differently in the case of men and women, and that domestic violence has been considered to be a "private" matter, and thus not falling within the jurisdiction of international human rights law. Although child abuse is not usually seen as such, the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Children contains similar provisions regarding safety and care issues of children, and might thus also be invoked in a similar manner. This would, of course, include children who are the victims or witnesses of violence occurring in their own home.

Conventionally, domestic abuse has been seen as an individual problem (the woman's) or, at most, a couple's issue. Data from scientific studies as well as practical experience by service providers have shown the error and danger of this view. By focusing on women (or couples) as if they exist in a vacuum, without placing them within the context of their society and their culture, we can be not only ineffective, but place women at increased risks. When we conceptualize domestic violence as a human rights issue, we are able to go outside the specific norms of each culture to think about his issue as it pertains to all women, regardless of their country of origin.

Once we have established that domestic violence must never happen, we can begin to tease out the culture-specific dynamics, scripts, and mandates that are at work in that woman's particular environment. In other words, it is important to understand the universal elements of domestic violence as well as the manner in which one or more cultures are affecting the dynamics of and responses to the abuse that a particular woman may be facing. Domestic violence should not happen to anyone, regardless of what the specific beliefs, values, traditions or expectations of any culture may be. It is vital, however, that people who work with women from diverse cultures be aware and mindful of cultural norms and values so that our efforts on their behalf have the potential to help rather than hinder.

Whether we think about it or not, culture provides the context with which an individual lives on a daily basis. If we are members of the mainstream or majority group, we do not have to think about our culture- we take it for granted, as the norm, the reality of all people. It is only when we become members of a minority group (what of course happens to immigrants and refugees) that we are faced with the tremendous pulls and expectations of culture.

When talking about the topic of culture and domestic violence, it is dangerous to use a "cookbook approach" to this discussion. The listing of variables, values and norms unique to specific cultures is tempting, but potentially harmful. For one thing, this approach tends to fuel stereotypes about a particular culture, while ignoring or minimizing the tremendous diversity within each cultural group. From a pragmatic perspective, moreover, it would be impossible to give "recipes" appropriate to each and every culture someone might encounter. What is possible, indeed essential, is to focus on the shared commonalties of immigrant and refugee women as it pertains to domestic abuse.

As with abused women of any culture, battered immigrant and refugee women are often depressed, lack self-esteem, engage in the cycle of violence, and feel helpless, hopeless, and even suicidal. Moreover, and very importantly, in the overwhelming majority of cases these women do not want to leave their relationship. What they want is for their partner to stop the physical or psychological violence so they can keep their family together.

For women from traditional societies, their family is central to their lives, and their roles as wives and mothers is at the core of their identity. It is for this reason that many battered women from the international community seldom use conventional, mainstream shelters and services. They have the perception that in order to receive services they must first decide to leave their partner. At a time when a woman is in crisis it becomes almost impossible to make a decision that often calls for a redefinition of herself as a woman. The shelter is best seen as an opportunity to think through her options and opportunities, within a place of safety. Since many will return to their partners and their extended families, the role of the shelter must be broadened. It must be a place in which the women can learn many different life skills, including a broader perspective of themselves as human beings with specific rights, privileges and responsibilities – all the while respecting and supporting their role as wives and mothers.

For the majority of battered immigrant and refugee women, the idea of laws that protect them from their batterers is a foreign concept. In most countries of origin, there are no laws against a man beating his wife, and in places in which such laws do exist, their enforcement is haphazard at best. Furthermore, government officials, such as police officers, were often figures to be feared, rather than persons who could be called upon for help and protection. The learning curve for these women is thus much steeper than for most abused women from mainstream cultures in the United States.

Battered women from immigrant and refugee communities often find that shelters are often unaware, even disrespectful, of dietary and/or religious practices and norms. In addition, child rearing customs are often misinterpreted or misunderstood. The issue of corporal punishment as a means of discipline often becomes a central factor in women leaving shelters.

While it is essential that this discipline method not be used with children who have witnessed or experienced violence in their home, it is absolutely necessary to provide their mothers with feasible and effective alternatives that they can use so that their roles as mothers can continue to be upheld. For those women who return to their partner, appropriate and practical parenting skills, coupled with child development information, can decrease the likelihood that their children will be physically abused one they return home.

Many conventional abused women's programs employ a Western view of empowerment that calls for a dynamic that is difficult for immigrant and refugee women to understand and use. While it is essential that shelters and programs that work with these women be extremely respectful of their process and their decisions, it is often necessary to be more directive than with women from mainstream cultures when talking about options and plans. One of the defining elements of domestic abuse is the use of extreme control on the part of the batterer. Additionally, many women from the international community come from places in which the political and social institutions told people, especially women, what to do. Thus, abused women from immigrant and refugee groups are often not able to make plans and decisions totally on their own. One of the long-term goals of the intervention is that women be able to make their own decisions, based on the available options.

While this is a very appropriate objective towards which to work, it is at times practically impossible for women from these communities to make decisions using a model that they have never had available before. They need guidance and practice regarding the manner in which people who have several options go about making decisions that are part of their long-term objectives. Another thing to keep in mind is the immediacy and urgency of the lives of abused women. They are usually trying to survive from moment to moment. Asking them to make a plan for their future within a few days of their going into a shelter is not only impossible, but oftentimes overwhelming. The above comments relate in general to immigrant and refugee battered women. There are, of course, many variations and exceptions, depending not only on the country from which they come, but also on the individual's personality, life experiences, and internal resources.