Undocumented immigrants who survive domestic abuse face additional barriers to help during COVID-19
On a winter day in January, “Sofia,” a domestic violence survivor from El Salvador, walked into a community center on the city’s North Side to seek refuge.
The 37-year-old mother of four had moved to the United States 16 years ago. Earlier that day, she reported to Columbus police that her partner had sexually assaulted her daughter, and her children were taken away by Franklin County Children Services. The woman asked that her real name not be used by the Dispatch for fear of retaliation.
With no one by her side and nowhere safe to go, she went to the Ohio Hispanic Coalition, a community group serving the city’s Latino population, to begin the process of rebuilding her life.
Sofia’s visit was one of the dozens of new requests for help that the organization received from immigrant domestic violence survivors this year.
