Proposal Integral care model for women victims of violence in the Tijuana area

1. ProposalIntegral care model for women victims of violence in the Tijuana area Special Committee on Migration Issues April 20, 2010

2. 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. About the initiative

3. Table of contents Introduction Information gathering methods Socioeconomic context Care models currently available to migrant women victims of violence in the Tijuana area Proposed care model for migrant women victims of violence in the Tijuana area Final considerations and recommendations Bibliographic references Annexes (Flow chart, organizational diagram of model, applied questionnaire)

4. 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. Introduction

5. 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. The feminization of migration

6. 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. Context

7. 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.

8. 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.) Models and programs

9. 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. Analysis of the models

10. Integral care model for women victims of violence in the Tijuana area Proposal

11. Respect for the human rights of victims The empowerment of women victims of violence must be aimed at building skills in order to make them active agents in their own lives. General ethical principles that staff must follow during all stages in the care process. State participation Basic criteria

12. 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. Objective

13. A. Characteristics Target population Conceptual framework and violent acts included in this model Cross-cutting approaches Implications and operation Components of the model Characteristics of the model

14. 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. Components of the model Characteristics of the model

15. 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 Components of the model b. Conceptual framework Characteristics of the model

16. Components of the model c. Cross-cutting approaches • Human rights • Women rights • Children rights • Migrant rights • Gender perspective • Multiculturalism Characteristics of the model

17. Political will Political and institutional agreements Budget allocation Defining operational responsibility Cross-institutional approach Defined leadership Other aspects Components of the model d. Implications and operation Characteristics of the model

18. 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 Immediate response: certification, assessment and migratory protection of the victim Diagnosis and channeling Basic needs Integral health Legal advice and assistance Migratory advice and options Integral recuperation and empowerment Components of the model Integral Care Intervention paths

19. Integral care Flow chart Migrant Woman Access to victim Immediate response Migratory Protection Minors Urgent medical care Channeling Shelter Identifying risks Diagnosis Assessment of risks Certification Integral Care Basic needs Counseling and legal assistance Lodging w/children Migratory options Integral health Binational links Permanence Integral recuperation Try again Repatriation with dignity Empowerment To other countries

20. 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 • Registration • Risk assessment • Migratory protection • Aspects to consider • Telephone assistance • Transport • Personnel with awareness and skill • Shelters • Possible responsible individuals Integral care Intervention paths

21. 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 • Exhaustive dialogue-interview with the victim • Channeling • Medical services • Aspects to consider • Clear and understandable format for diagnosis and medical record • Medical record is essential to channeling • Possible responsible individuals Integral care Intervention paths

22. 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 • 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. • Aspects to consider • 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

23. 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 • 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 • Aspects to consider • Mechanisms to provide care to nationals and to foreign nationals • Sexual violence • Possible responsible individuals Integral care Intervention paths

24. 5. Legal counseling and assistance • Objective • Ensure that the victim is provided legal advice and follow up of her case as needed. • Actions • Provide clear advice to ensure that the victim understands her rights and the legal process that will follow. • Assistance • 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

25. 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 • Provide clear advice so that victims understand their rights and the legal process to follow. • Together with the victim analyze and select the most convenient option. • Obtain consent in writing • Assistance • Inform victim of outcomes and future actions. • Aspects to consider • There are specific actions for each option • Possible responsible individuals Integral care Intervention paths

26. 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

27. 7. Integral recuperation and empowerment Actions General information Individual recuperation plan Access to services 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

28. 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 7. Integral recuperation and empowerment

29. Integral care Flow chart Migrant Woman Access to victim Immediate response Migratory Protection Minors Urgent medical care Channeling Shelter Identifying risks Diagnosis Assessment of risks Certification Integral Care Basic needs Counseling and legal assistance Lodging w/children Migratory options Integral health Binational links Permanence Integral recuperation Try again Repatriation with dignity Empowerment To other countries

30. C. Cross-cutting areas Awareness and training Inter-institutional operation and coordination Authorities in charge Improvement mechanisms Support organizations Planning and management Monitoring and evaluation Research Data systematization Dissemination Cross-cutting areas

31. Central Themes Esquema de organización del modelo External Supervisory Entity Inter-institucional board Tijuana Advisory Council Inter-institucional coordination Tijuana Awareness and training Integral care Planning and managment Data systematization Monitoring and evaluation Research Dissemination

32. 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