Proposal
Integral care model for women
victims of violence in the
Tijuana area
Special Committee on Migration Issues
April 20, 2010
About the initiative
Sobre la iniciativa
•
This document has been formulated within the framework of initiatives of the Migration and
Development Program of the Department of Social Development and Employment of the
Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) of the Organization of American States
with the support of the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).
•
It offers a proposal for an integral care model for migrant women victims of violence in the
Tijuana area.
•
It is an effort to guide actions and move forward in guaranteeing efficient and integral care –
integrating a human rights approach and a gender perspective – that will make it possible to
respond to the various situations these women confront with regard to violence.
•
The presentation covers the Tijuana area.
Table of contents
I.
Introduction
II.
Information gathering methods
III.
Socioeconomic context
IV.
Care models currently available to migrant women victims of violence in the
Tijuana area
V.
Proposed care model for migrant women victims of violence in the Tijuana
area
VI.
Final considerations and recommendations
Bibliographic references
Annexes (Flow chart, organizational diagram of model, applied questionnaire)
Introduction
•
Migration is an inevitable phenomenon in today’s world and it is driven by various
economic, political, or social factors; it is a multidimensional phenomenon
spanning a spectrum of interdependent areas including social and economic
development, health, security, family, employment, human rights, gender,
legislation, public policy, and international relations.
•
The development of a migratory process is complex, it does not always unfold in
an orderly and controlled manner, and it presents problems with regard to the
protection of the human rights of migrants while in transit, at the reception point
and during repatriation.
•
The migrant population is especially vulnerable since it lacks adequate resources,
information, is victimized by smuggling networks and is far from its social
support network.
•
In the northern border region of Mexico, the intensity of migratory flows, the
disparity between the economies and overall development of the countries, as
well as the internal migration and the presence of migrants in transit from Central
America and from other regions make this a complex and problematic territory.
The feminization of migration
•
Increase in the number of women who migrate independently.
•
Continuing replication of gender inequalities within the framework of
globalization, both in the migratory process (itinerary of travel and crossing) and in
the insertion into the labor market in destination countries.
•
The element of violence is present throughout the migratory process. For
women, their sex is an important variable in terms of the violence they experience.
•
Urgent action is required with regard to prevention and also with regard to the
integral care provided to these women which should be aimed at empowering
them.
Context
•
The complexity of the situation feeds on the economic gulf that exists between
both countries and on the political, social, and cultural differences of their
populations.
•
Tijuana: important economic and production activity (industrial, commercial, and
services).
•
This area presents the complex environment created by international migration
and its effects (positive and negative) reflecting the contradictions in an
interdependent but unequal world.
•
Data from 2008 reveals that the number of migrants from southern Mexico and
from Central America that arrive to the northern border region of Mexico raised to
962,616; 860,195 of those were Mexicans. Approximately 38% of those migrants
were concentrated in Tijuana.
Models of care in the area available to migrant
women victims of violence
•
Inventory was taken of the most relevant care models and programs in the area.
•
Descriptions of the most important care models and programs in the area were
prepared.
•
Based on this analysis a proposal for a care model was developed.
Models and programs
•
Tijuana
– Cavit Alejandro Home, A.C.
– Eudes Home Promoting Women, A.C.
– Elvira Shelter
– Madre Assunta Institute, A.C.
– YMCA Home for Migrant Children
– Pro Migrant Defense Coalition, A.C.
– Leave healthy and return healthy and domestic violence assistance,
Department of Health
– Care modules for women victims of violence of the Women’s Institute of the
State of Baja California
– National Integral Family Development System (D.I.F.)
– Crime Victims Assistance Office, Office of the Baja California State Attorney
General (P.G.J.E.)
Analysis of the models
•
The analysis took into consideration the following factors:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
•
Human resources
Organization and operation
Vocation for service
Mother-child relation
Inter-institutional links and support networks
Infrastructure
Financing
There are significant differences between the resources available to the various
organizations which translate into differences in the operation of the models.
Proposal
Integral care model for women
victims of violence in the
Tijuana area
Basic criteria
a.
Respect for the human rights of victims
b.
The empowerment of women victims of violence must be aimed at
building skills in order to make them active agents in their own lives.
c.
General ethical principles that staff must follow during all stages in the care
process.
d.
State participation
Objective
To promote the protection of the human rights of migrant women by
providing fast and effective integral care to migrant women victims of
violence in the Tijuana area that takes into account their integral
recuperation and, in the long term, their empowerment, in order to
allow them to embark on a life free of violence.
Components of the model
A. Characteristics
a.
Target population
b.
Conceptual framework and violent acts included in this model
c.
Cross-cutting approaches
a.
Implications and operation
Characteristics of the model
Components of the model
a. Target population
•
The model is aimed at two groups of women:
– Foreign migrant women in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
– Mexican migrant women in Tijuana, B.C., Mexico
•
With regard to children and adolescents of both sexes, the model follows the
principle established in the article of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
which refers to the right of children to remain with their parents.
Characteristics of the model
Components of the model
b. Conceptual framework
• Violence, multidimensional phenomenon encompassing individual, family,
community, social, cultural, economic, and other factors.
• Definition of violence
– Domestic violence
– Social violence
• Legal aspects
– Inter-American Convention to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence Against
Women
- Domestic legislation
Characteristics of the model
Components of the model
c. Cross-cutting approaches
a.
Human rights
b.
Women rights
c.
Children rights
d.
Migrant rights
e.
Gender perspective
a.
Multiculturalism
Characteristics of the model
Components of the model
d. Implications and operation
a.
Political will
b.
Political and institutional agreements
c.
Budget allocation
d.
Defining operational responsibility
e.
Cross-institutional approach
f.
Defined leadership
g.
Other aspects
Characteristics of the model
Components of the model
B. Integral care
•
Refers to services provided for the protection, care, recuperation and
empowerment of the victim, in accordance with their needs and within the
framework of the full exercise of their rights.
•
Intervention paths
1.
Immediate response: certification, assessment and migratory protection of the
victim
2.
Diagnosis and channeling
3.
Basic needs
4.
Integral health
5.
Legal advice and assistance
6.
Migratory advice and options
7.
Integral recuperation and empowerment
Integral Care
Intervention paths
Integral care
Flow chart
Migrant Woman
Access to victim
Immediate response
Minors
Channeling
Urgent medical care
Migratory
Protection
Shelter
Identifying risks
Diagnosis
Certification
Assessment of risks
Basic needs
Integral Care
Counseling and legal
assistance
Lodging w/children
Binational links
Migratory options
Integral health
Permanence
Integral recuperation
Try again
Repatriation with dignity
Empowerment
To other countries
1. Immediate response
Objective

•
Respond immediately to the violent situation experienced by the
victim by rapidly diagnosing whether the victim has indeed suffered
violence and, if that is the case, assess the risks.
Actions

a.
b.
c.
Aspects to consider

•
•
•


Registration
Risk assessment
Migratory protection
Telephone assistance
Transport
Personnel with awareness and skill
Shelters
Possible responsible individuals
Integral care
Intervention paths
2. Diagnostic and channeling
Objective

•
Identify the specific needs of each victim in order to be able to
provide individualized integral care and regulate services according
to the situation.
Actions

a.
b.
c.
Aspects to consider

•
•

Exhaustive dialogue-interview with the victim
Channeling
Medical services
Clear and understandable format for diagnosis and medical record
Medical record is essential to channeling
Possible responsible individuals
Integral care
Intervention paths
3. Basic needs
Objective

•
Guarantee the basic needs for lodging, food, personal hygiene and
clothing that women who are victims of violence may require during
the process of care and recuperation.
Actions

a.
b.
Aspects to consider

•
•

Cover the basic needs mentioned in the diagnosis of the victim
whether she is a national or foreign national.
Guarantee that the needs of the children are also covered.
Personnel responsible for providing victims an answer must assess
the urgency of those needs.
It is a component of both immediate care as well as of integral care.
Possible responsible individuals
Integral care
Intervention paths
4. Integral Health
Objective

•
Assess and care for the physical and psychological health of the victim based
on the specific situation and corresponding diagnostic.
Actions

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
Aspects to consider

•
•

Assess the needs of the victim and determine if the situation is urgent.
Conduct physical examination
Assess the mental and emotional condition of the victim
Inform the victim of her condition/ailment and explain the situation
Channel the victim to the appropriate institutions
Take care of the victim’s needs
Follow up and regularly review cases
Mechanisms to provide care to nationals and to foreign nationals
Sexual violence
Possible responsible individuals
Integral care
Intervention paths
5. Legal counseling and assistance

Objective
•
Ensure that the victim is provided legal advice and follow up of her case as
needed.

Actions
a.
Provide clear advice to ensure that the victim understands her rights and
the legal process that will follow.
b.
Assistance
c.
Inform the victim of outcomes and future actions

Aspects to consider
•
Assessment of migratory status and options.
•
Always take into account the opinions and decisions of the victim.

Possible responsible individuals
Integral care
Intervention paths
6. Migratory advice and options

Objective
•
Ensure the migratory option that better suits the well being and the needs
and interests of migrant women victims of violence.

Actions to be carried out in all cases
a.
Provide clear advice so that victims understand their rights and the legal
process to follow.
b.
Together with the victim analyze and select the most convenient option.
c.
Obtain consent in writing
d.
Assistance
e.
Inform victim of outcomes and future actions.

Aspects to consider
•
There are specific actions for each option

Possible responsible individuals
Integral care
Intervention paths
7. Integral recuperation and empowerment

Integral recuperation is a planned and orderly process that the victim agrees to
pursue after her basic needs have been met in order to, in the long run, achieve
her integral recuperation and the full exercise of her human rights.

Objective
•
To provide appropriate services and care commensurate with the needs of
migrant women victims of violence in order to empower them, support
their integral recuperation and ensure the full exercise of their human
rights.
Integral care
Intervention paths
7. Integral recuperation and empowerment
•
Actions
a.
General information
b.
Individual recuperation plan
c.
Access to services
d.
Follow up
•
Aspects to consider
–
Care must be individualized based on the particular needs of each case.
–
Take into consideration organizations with experience in implementing care.
•
Ultimate objective of this process: EMPOWERMENT
–
Building of skills and development of tools (tangible and intangible) to allow
women to take control of their lives and to live freely and without violence.
Possible responsible individuals
•
7. Integral recuperation and empowerment
• Types of services to consider
– Therapies
– Human rights and violence prevention workshops targeted at children
and adolescents
– Educational development (literacy and basic education)
– Work training
– Schools for parents, making violence prevention a priority.
– Access to financial resources such as micro loans
– Violence prevention courses
– Cultural and sports activities for women and their children
– Channeling women into services
Integral care
Flow chart
Migrant Woman
Access to victim
Immediate response
Minors
Channeling
Urgent medical care
Migratory
Protection
Shelter
Identifying risks
Diagnosis
Certification
Assessment of risks
Basic needs
Integral Care
Counseling and legal
assistance
Lodging w/children
Binational links
Migratory options
Integral health
Permanence
Integral recuperation
Try again
Repatriation with dignity
Empowerment
To other countries
C. Cross-cutting areas
a. Awareness and training
b. Inter-institutional operation and coordination
– Authorities in charge
– Improvement mechanisms
– Support organizations
a. Planning and management
b. Monitoring and evaluation
c. Research
d. Data systematization
e. Dissemination
Cross-cutting areas
Esquema de organización del modelo
External
Supervisory
Entity
Interinstitucional
board Tijuana
Interinstitucional
coordination
Tijuana
Integral care
Planning and
managment
Advisory Council
Awareness and
training
Data
systematization
Monitoring
and evaluation
Research
Dissemination
Central Themes
Final considerations
• The complex implementation depends on the will of the
parties involved and the following factors need to be taken
into consideration, both in the planning and in the execution:
different contexts, history, forms of violence and violent
situations faced, as well as ethical questions with regard to
care and to the skill and awareness training of the staff.
• A designated budget is a necessity.
• The problems of migrant women with regard to violence
present a great challenge and it is a subject that must be
addressed without delay.
CP24199E