Urban Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in transnational perspective: reflections from Brazilian women in London

This article explores the nature of urban Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) among Brazilian migrants in London from a transnational perspective. Through adapting the continuum approach to understanding VAWG from a multi-scalar and non-hierarchical viewpoint, the article develops a 'transnational continuum of urban VAWG' highlighting the diversity of types of gender-based violence (GBV) across individual, community, city, state and transnational scales over time. Drawing on research with Brazilians in London, VAWG emerges as multi-dimensional, complex and endemic, especially in the public sphere and with transnational continuities. Underpinning the VAWG continuum is recognition that a transnational lens is essential in understanding the causes of GBV rooted in patriarchal gender inequalities which emerge as very resistant in reconfiguring violence among Brazilians in London. In turn, these causes intersect with various risk factors, many of which are linked with the transnational migrant experience, especially insecure immigration status and limited English language proficiency.