Journal of Interpersonal Violence
Volume 31, Issue 19, 2016, Pages 3236-3256
Whom Do Migrant Home Care Workers Contact in the Case of Work-Related Abuse? An Exploratory Study of Help-Seeking Behaviors (Article)
Green O.* ,
Ayalon L.
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a
Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
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b
Bar Ilan University, Ramat Gan, Israel
Abstract
Migrant home care workers constitute an “invisible” and vulnerable group in society, as they work in isolation in the homes of frail older adults. Past research has shown that this population is particularly vulnerable to work-related abuse. The aim of the present study was to explore the help-seeking behaviors of migrant home care workers who were exposed to work-related abuse. Overall, 187 Filipino home care workers completed a self-report questionnaire regarding four types of work-related abuse (sexual, physical, emotional, and exploitation), help-seeking strategies (i.e., formal and informal reporting), and reasons for not disclosing abusive incidents. A total of 56.7% reported some type of abuse. Of these, less than half reported the abuse, mostly informally to family and friends. None reported the abuse to the police. Main reasons for not disclosing the abuse were fears that things would get worse and the belief that it will take too much time and effort. The findings demonstrate that migrant home care workers are highly vulnerable to work-related abuse but are not likely to report work-related abuse and put an end to the cycle of abuse and violence. This calls for the development of further policy and interventions to protect this already vulnerable population. © 2015, © The Author(s) 2015.
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Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-84990840533&doi=10.1177%2f0886260515584347&partnerID=40&md5=61cbf42a90581db8ff36c901ec907354
DOI: 10.1177/0886260515584347
ISSN: 08862605
Cited by: 1
Original Language: English