Intimate Partner Violence and Domestic Abuse in the Asian Community
*Disclaimer: this article contains sensitive topics which may be distressing for some readers. If you or someone you know is in need of immediate assistance, please reach out to local support services, hotlines, or trusted individuals for assistance.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for emergency services. If you would like to speak to a therapist, you can submit an intake form here to be matched to one of our culturally-informed providers.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence in the Asian Community: Breaking the Silence
This is a nuanced topic that may be difficult to discuss. Some members of our team have experienced this personally and in our families, so we want to help break the stigma by addressing these issues openly.
Intimate partner violence (IPV) is defined by the World Health Organization as behavior within a close relationship that causes physical, psychological, or sexual harm and includes violence by current and former partners. Relatedly, domestic violence (DV) is abuse that takes place between any two members of a household, such as between siblings, parent and child, or roommates.
However, cultural nuances often make it more difficult for survivors in this community to seek help or even acknowledge their experiences. Stigma against divorce or values around family unity may mask these challenges or make it harder to seek care so, addressing IPV and DV in the Asian community requires understanding these unique challenges and fostering culturally sensitive solutions.
The Prevalence of Domestic Violence in the Asian Community
IPV and DV statistics in the Asian community are often underreported. Even with this in mind, according to the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence (API-GBV), 21-55% of Asian women in the U.S. report experiencing physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner during their lifetime. These rates are consistent with or even higher than the general population. It’s important to remember though that cultural stigma often leads to silence, making the true scale of IPV in this community difficult to measure.
Often these dynamics start early. 1 in 3 college women in the United States say they’ve been in an abusive dating relationship. What’s even worse is that 58% of college students don’t know what to do to help someone in need. According to the National Domestic Violence Hotline organization, 69% of women and 53% of male victims have had their first experience with IPV or DV before the age of 25, and survivors are 3x as likely to meet the criteria for post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as others.
It’s also important to consider intersectionality. These events are not isolated to heterosexual couples, but can also occur in same-sex couples as the infographic below demonstrates.
Cultural Factors Contributing to Silence
Several cultural factors contribute to the underreporting and normalization of IPV and DV in Asian communities:
Shame and Stigma: In collectivistic cultures, maintaining family honor is a core value. Disclosing abuse may be seen as bringing shame upon the family, leading survivors to stay silent.
Gender Roles: Traditional gender roles may pressure women to prioritize family harmony over their safety, often at great personal cost.
Immigration and Language Barriers: For immigrant families, a lack of familiarity with available resources and limited English proficiency can hinder access to support systems.
Fear of Legal Consequences: Undocumented survivors or those dependent on their abuser for immigration status may fear deportation or losing custody of their children if they report abuse.
Myths and Misconceptions around Intimate Partner Violence
Another set of challenges that compound these problems are misleading societal beliefs that put more pressure on victims and survivors.
Common myths and misconceptions include:
Myth: “Victims provoked the violence”
Debunked: whatever the issues that exist in a relationship, the use of violence is never justifiable or acceptable
Myth: “IThe victim should just leave. If they don’t they must be exaggerating how bad it is”
Debunked: Fear, lack of safe options, and the inability to survive economically prevent many victims from leaving. Some also want their partners to get better and see glimpses of the person they care about
Myth: “It’s only a momentary loss of temper, rage, or anger”
Debunked: It is an ongoing behavior to enforce control through fear, often through premeditated decisions
Myth: “This only happens in poor or badly educated families”
Debunked: This happens through all levels of society, ethnic backgrounds, regions, and religious groups
Debunking these stereotypes will not only empower survivors and victims, but can also educate allies and stop future perpetrators from inflicting harm.
How Mental Health is Impacted among Asian American Survivors
Mental health stigma is pervasive in many Asian cultures, further complicating efforts to address IPV. Survivors may avoid seeking therapy or counseling out of fear of being judged or told they must have caused a problem for their partner to respond in such a way
Generational differences also play a role: younger Asian Americans may be more willing to challenge cultural taboos, while older generations may dismiss IPV as a private family matter. It may have been so normalised to them that they view it as something they just have to “grin and bear”.
In cultures that value family honor, it may feel especially impossible to talk about these challenges given the repercussions around the family’s reputation. This may lead to emotional suppression of legitimate emotions, such as anger, guilt, and resentment.
Addressing Intimate Partner Violence in the Asian Community
To effectively combat IPV and DV in the Asian community, we need a multifaceted approach that includes education, community involvement, and systemic change:
1. Culturally Informed Support Services
To provide more effective support, organizations and shelters should offer culturally and linguistically appropriate services. This includes hiring staff who understand Asian languages and cultural norms and providing resources tailored to specific subgroups within the Asian community, so they have the same access to the services as everybody else.2. Community-Based Outreach
Faith-based organizations, community centers, and cultural associations can play a crucial role in raising awareness. Hosting workshops and educational sessions on IPV and DV within these trusted spaces can help destigmatize the issue.
3. Breaking the Stigma Through Education
Educational campaigns aimed at deconstructing harmful gender norms and encouraging healthy relationships can help prevent IPV in the long term. Schools, universities, and online platforms can be powerful spaces for these conversations.
4. Legal Protections and Advocacy
Advocacy groups should work to ensure that survivors have access to robust legal protections, regardless of immigration status. This includes expanding the availability of U visas for undocumented survivors and ensuring that restraining orders and other legal remedies are easily accessible.
5. Encouraging Survivor Stories
Sharing survivor narratives can be a powerful way to reduce stigma and inspire others to seek help. Community leaders and influencers can help amplify these stories, fostering a culture of empathy and support.
Final thoughts
Breaking the cycle of intimate partner violence in the Asian community requires collective effort. By addressing cultural barriers, increasing awareness, and providing accessible support, we can create a safer environment for survivors to heal and thrive. It’s time to break the silence and foster a culture where seeking help is seen as a sign of strength, not shame.
If this is something you’d like to speak to a professional about, complete this intake form and you’ll be matched to culturally-informed providers.
We know how difficult this topic can be, especially if this is a situation that you are currently experiencing.
You are brave.
You are not alone
