Objective 1) to examine the discourses of professionals involved in the care of female victims of intimate partner violence (IPV), with emphasis on how they describe the immigrant women, the perpetrators and their own responsibility of care; and 2) to compare these discourses with the other professions involved in caring for these women (social services, associations and police and justice). Methods Qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 43 professionals from social services, associations and the police and judicial systems. A discourse analysis was carried out to identify interpretive repertoires about IPV, immigrant women and their aggressors, their culture and professional practices. Results Four interpretive repertoires emerged from professional discourses: “Cultural prototypes of women affected by IPV”, “Perpetrators are similar regardless of their culture of origin”, “Are victims credible and the perpetrators responsible?” and “Lack of cultural sensitivity of professionals in helping immigrant women in abusive situations”. These repertoires correspond to preconceptions that professionals construct about affected women and their perpetrators, the credibility and responsibility they attribute to them and the interpretation of their professional roles. Conclusions The employment of IPV-trained cultural mediators in the services responsible for caring for the female victims, together with cultural training for the professionals, will facilitate the provision of culturally sensitive care to immigrant female victims of intimate partner violence. © 2016 SESPAS

qualitative research immigrants Abused women Professional role Intimate partner violence

immigrant mediator offender professional standard human comparative study professional practice Cultural Competency cultural competence Social Work Spouse Abuse qualitative research health personnel attitude Attitude of Health Personnel cultural sensitivity Humans migrant responsibility Emigrants and Immigrants semi structured interview female Spain police cultural factor victim Intimate Partner Violence partner violence discourse analysis Cultural Characteristics employment