Mennonite Central Committee

Abuse in immigrant families from Africa

October 2007

Many immigrants who settle in Winnipeg leave their home country with hope for a better life away from conflicts, violence and other forms of abuse. For many however, being far away from such danger does not eliminate the fact that they still have to endure domestic violence and abuse. The victims are often children who live with abusing parents and relatives. This exposure to violence can result in some of them joining gangs, dropping out of school and ending up in prostitution and using drugs.

Women are also victims of pressure resulting from traditional, cultural and religious practices that give most of the household’s power to their husband.  Women who live in abusive settings are subjected to the man’s will in most decisions that concern the life of the household.  Sometimes men go as far as to use physical and emotional threats to maintain their position.

In an attempt to counter this cycle of abuse, some victims find refuge in women’s shelters or talk to law enforcement agencies because they now live in a society that grants them access to support services, economic opportunities and a legal system that empowers them. According to Marceline Ndayunvire, a settlement worker at Manitoba Interfaith Immigration Council, “settling in Canada can create a turnaround in power dynamics by diminishing man’s authority in the household, but can also render the victims more isolated in cases where the abuse is committed in secrecy.”

Those who choose not to use a support agency will however continue to confide in friends or their respective cultural and religious communities.  Such community networks are important since they try to cover a vacuum left from not having the families and traditional conflict resolution structures provided in the country of origin. In many instances however, these community supports are powerless because they are considered to be without any moral authority, and therefore are limited in their ability to bring about change. Another challenge for these groups is that the use of previous conflict resolution tools, is not always consistent with the new social, economical and cultural realities in Canada.

For Christian homes, the church and the Scriptures can make a difference, although the contrary is also possible when the Scriptures are twisted to reinforce the abuser’s position.  Those who keep the abuse secret have been brainwashed and shaped to believe that a woman has value only when she has a husband. Or they are fearful that once the man is out of the picture the children will also be impacted. For men, there is a perception that the legal system favours women, threatens their manhood and pushes them to relinquish their position of power.

In an attempt to stop the abuse many churches and religious groups in the newcomers’ communities are emphasizing the need for a respectful and balanced life free of abuse, but there is still much to be done in terms of cultural adaptation, legal system education and the development and promotion of culturally appropriate services.  

(WillyHalisi Mushagalusa lives in Winnipeg with his wife, Ephemie,, his daughter Ashuza, son Ahadi, and their recently adopted daughter Elvie.  Willy holds a BA in International Development Studies from the Canadian Mennonite University and attends the Fort Garry MB Church, while working to reach out with the gospel to his African community).

 

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