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East Asian communities (from China, Japan, Taiwan, Mongolia, South Korea, North Korea, Macau, Philippines) |
South East Asian communities (from Vietnam, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Burma, Brunei, East Timor, Laos) |
South Asian communities (from India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan, Bhutan, the Maldives and Fijian Indians) |
Attitudes in general towards partner abuse
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- The husband/wife relationship is an important relationship that is marked by a distinctive authority structure where husbands are the head of the household, and wives are to be obedient and subservient with the sole purpose of keeping the family intact.
- 'Saving face' is an important value and if breached there can be harsh consequences for women.
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- Men are respected, as they are the head of families, and are trustworthy and loyal.
- There is a strong value on keeping the family together, and divorce is thought to be detrimental to the family and the children.
- Partner abuse is often viewed as the woman’s fault, such that divorced women are viewed with disapproval in the community.
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- As with other Asian cultures the patriarchal family head is important.
- Women are taught that the public image of the family is more important than individual safety.
- Psychological abuse may include threats to ruin a woman’s reputation among relatives, accusing women of being a traitor to her culture and community.
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| Relationships and Expectations |
- Underlying “moral code” that exists about what situations justify the use of violence.
- Adherence to traditional cultural or religious norms may hinder a Chinese woman from leaving an abusive relationship for fear of being labelled a bad mother or wife.
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- Women are seen as the guardians of familial relationships with their primary duty being to maintain harmony within the family.
- An intact family is integral to a woman’s life achievements and to her self-worth.
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- Traditional Indian culture women face a range of expectations associated with the principle of “sewa” (selfless service).
- A dowry is given by the bride’s family to the groom and his family. If the dowry a woman brings to the family is not regarded as adequate, it can become a cause of abuse for a woman following marriage.
- Honour and respectability are dependent on a successful marriage, and women fear the dishonour and rejection from their community if their marriage should fail.
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| Role of family |
- The family is the most fundamental social unit.
- Within the household, informal power resides with the husband’s mother, and wives are expected to be obedient to their husbands and their in-laws.
- In-law conflict has particular relevance for Chinese women.
- In-law conflict is a significant characteristic associated with women’s reports of violent victimisation in the family.
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- The family is the most fundamental social unit.
- Within the household, informal power resides with the husband’s mother, and wives are expected to be obedient to their husbands and their in-laws.
- If there are problems in the marriage relationship, community members or the couple’s parents advise the couple, and a woman would be encouraged to stay with her husband.
- Although sympathetic, friends and relatives may not want to intervene because they see partner abuse as “a private matter”. Some family and friends may advise the abused women to “accept the abuse or try not to make the husband angry”.
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- South Asian women tend to approach their family for assistance. When family condemn the actions of the perpetrator and sympathise with the women, they are a great source of help. However, this is the exception rather than the norm.
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| Challenges that prevent migrant women from disclosing family violence |
- Fear for personal safety.
- Pressure from support systems not to talk.
- Fear of legal authorities.
- Concern about bringing shame to her family.
- Concern about being ostracised by her community.
- Fear of immigration authorities and police.
- Unaware that non-physical abuse constitutes family violence.
- Believes that abuse is an acceptable part of her culture and her marital life.
- Fear of having children removed from her care.
- An environment that is not conducive to disclosure.
- Lack of routine screening.
- Lack of an objective and professional interpreter.
- Lack of privacy from the abuser or family member during screening.
- Lack of assessment beyond physical injuries.
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- Fear for personal safety.
- Pressure from support systems not to talk.
- Fear of legal authorities.
- Concern about bringing shame to her family.
- Concern about being ostracised by her community.
- Fear of immigration authorities and police.
- Unaware that non-physical abuse constitutes family violence.
- Believes that abuse is an acceptable part of her culture and her marital life.
- Fear of having children removed from her care.
- An environment that is not conducive to disclosure.
- Lack of routine screening.
- Lack of an objective and professional interpreter.
- Lack of privacy from the abuser or family member during screening.
- Lack of assessment beyond physical injuries.
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- Fear for personal safety.
- Pressure from support systems not to talk.
- Fear of legal authorities.
- Concern about bringing shame to her family.
- Concern about being ostracised by her community.
- Fear of immigration authorities and police.
- Unaware that non-physical abuse constitutes family violence.
- Believes that abuse is an acceptable part of her culture and her marital life.
- Fear of having children removed from her care.
- An environment that is not conducive to disclosure.
- Lack of routine screening.
- Lack of an objective and professional interpreter.
- Lack of privacy from the abuser or family member during screening.
- Lack of assessment beyond physical injuries.
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