Connecting two worlds: Training social workers to deal with domestic violence against women in the ethiopian community

Domestic violence against women is a phenomenon that transcends religion, socioeconomic status, nationality and culture. The literature indicates that the situation of women who immigrate from traditional societies to Western societies can be especially difficult, and that there is a need for culturally sensitive intervention among those groups of immigrants. The present article examines the causes of domestic violence against women among populations that have immigrated from traditional societies to Western societies, based on the specific case of Ethiopian immigrants to Israel. In that context, the article describes a programme for training Ethiopian social workers to deal with the problem among members of their community. Evaluations of the programme highlight its contribution to the Ethiopian immigrant community in general and to the participants in the programme in particular. In addition, the article addresses the principles of culturally sensitive intervention that can be applied towards prevention and treatment of domestic violence against women among groups that have immigrated from traditional societies to Western societies.