Gender-based Violence (GBV) Impunity Regional Study: Dominican Republic (DR) Case Study Summary

GBV disproportionately affects marginalized populations, including Haitian women migrants who engage in the informal economy and face widespread discrimination based on gender, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural barriers. GBV survivors of Haitian descent in the DR face lower quality and accessibility of protection and recovery support, judicial services, and prevention initiatives. To improve accountability for GBV against these populations, recommended strategies include providing translation and interpretation within GBV survivor services, facilitating material recovery assistance and economic empowerment programs for Haitian migrants, and training service provider and judicial staff in gender, cultural, and social inclusion. Additionally, increasing access to free legal aid and legal rights orientation in Haitian Creole, supporting Haitian women's organizations in promoting alternative and restorative justice processes, and improving data collection and monitoring of GBV and other crimes against Haitian migrants are crucial steps towards addressing GBV impunity.