Abuse in AAPI Communities
Abuse in Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities occurs at high rates, especially with women experiencing intimate partner violence. According to the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, up to 55% of Asian women in the U.S have experienced some form of physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, while 18% of AAPI women experienced rape, physical violence or stalking by an intimate partner.
Obstacles to reaching safety that people of AAPI heritage face:
- Victim blaming.
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Victim blaming by the partner who chooses to abuse and surrounding family members can make the survivor feel that their actions are causing the abuse to occur. This form of emotional abuse can cause survivors to silence themselves in any conflict with their partners. Survivors also face being shamed for desiring to leave and may even be rejected by family or friends.
- Financial limitations.
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Some AAPI survivors may have low-wage employment and may not be able to support themselves if they were to leave. A lack of financial resources coupled with an unsupportive family system may leave survivors dependent on their partner who choose to abuse, who may also be the breadwinner for the family.
- Language barriers.
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Language barriers may be an issue as English may not be the primary language for the survivor. This can create problems when seeking help and can limit how and where the survivor can access support. In addition to being unable to access support, the survivor may not be able to depend on family and friends to seek help because of cultural norms and stigmas surrounding domestic violence. The limited English proficiency may also be used by the partner who chooses to abuse to demean the survivor. A partner who chooses to abuse could use phrases like:
“Who will hire you? Your English is terrible!”
Or “Who else will take care of someone like you who does not speak the language?”
This form of emotional abuse can create doubt and fear for the survivor in creating a safety plan.
We recognize the added challenges members of the Asian American/Pacific Islander community may face when they are in an abusive relationship. Our advocates are available 24/7 through phone, chat, and text if you have questions or want to speak more to your specific situation. No one deserves to experience abuse, and everyone deserves to be in a healthy and loving relationship.
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