NOTE FROM AUTHORS

The case studies in this book emerge from the research project “Voices of Racialized Immigrant Youth Who Experienced Family Violence as Children,” conducted in 2020. That study used Van Manen’s (1990) phenomenological approach of inquiry to delineate a description of family violence (FV) and the meaning of it for racialized immigrant youth.

These are the stories that young adults related about their experiences of FV. Our research provided them with an opportunity to share their stories and reflect on their experiences. Memory is complicated—it is shaped by our perceptions and feelings. For example, siblings will perceive the same situation differently because everyone is “wired” differently and experiences trauma differently. However, our perceptions have a real impact on our development, well-being and socialization. It is these perceptions that are important to understand the impact of FV on children and youth.

The details of the stories represent the experiences of twelve racialized youth from diverse backgrounds. You will see their opinions and understanding of gender, race, culture, religion and sexuality throughout their stories. The inclusion of these details is related to their individual experiences and their interpretation of internal and external factors that impacted their lives (i.e. religious and cultural practices).

The study was reviewed and approved by the research ethics boards (REB) of Toronto Metropolitan University and Sheridan College. Participants were purposively selected using the following eligibility criteria:

a) had directly or indirectly experienced FV in childhood;

b) self-identified as a racialized immigrant;

c) were between 21 and 29 years of age;

d) had not had serious mental health challenges that prevented them from articulating their experiences;

e) FV-related formal/institutional intervention in their life had to have ended three years before participation in this research.

In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted virtually with the participants. In keeping with the phenomenological approach, the interviews captured participants’ experiences and interpretations of FV, the impact of these experiences on their lives, and the response of societal institutions. Additionally, questions emerged during the interviews that were discussed. The participants shared their rich, insightful experiences and interpretations.

The case studies presented in this book have been created from the interview transcripts. We present each case to the reader with the following headings:

• • Profile of Participants
  • Background
  • Family and systemic violence witnessed/ experienced
  • Experiences while accessing supports
  • Impacts of family and systemic violence

Our research team started collaboration with the intent of studying various socio-legal research gaps in the area of family violence impacting racialized immigrant communities in Canada. We have developed a number of teaching and practice resources as follows:

• Our first research publication was the ECampus Ontario Press book “Domestic Violence in Immigrant Communities: Case Studies” (2020). From this research project, other publications emerged in addition to the book.