Purpose: To determine the community resources most often used, most needed, and most difficult to use for immigrants. Design: A naturalistic study using principles of community-based participatory research. Method: A group of 106 abused immigrant women were interviewed in person with the Community Agency Use, Frequency, Helpfulness, and Difficulty form as part of a 7-year prospective study. Results: The most frequently noted service needed most was counseling (n = 34, 33.0%) followed by legal services (n = 23, 22.3%) and social services (n = 13, 12.6%). Law enforcement was the most commonly used service (n = 63, 59.4%) and the most difficult to receive (n = 16, 48.5%). Counseling (n = 6, 18.2%) and legal services (n = 5, 15.2%) were also reported as difficult. Discussion: Law enforcement is often called on to help in partner violence, but immigrant women report difficulty in using this service. Conclusions: Abused immigrant women have risk factors for abuse, and they face barriers in accessing the services they need. Implications for Practice: It is important for service providers in the community to be aware of the unique challenges of abused immigrant women and to address their needs accordingly. © 2014, SAGE Publications. All rights reserved.

immigrants Women's health community resources Community health Participatory action research Intimate partner violence

prospective study health care planning Prospective Studies human middle aged Health Resources Mental Disorders Humans migrant psychology Adolescent counseling Emigrants and Immigrants female social welfare adult utilization Battered Women battered woman