A review and study of South Asian encuntering domestic violence.

Helping victims of domestic violence

By Dr. Rashmee Sharma


She thought she was living the American dream when she settled here some years ago.

Newly married to a South Asian American who had a secure job at a well-known software company, she was looking forward to exciting possibilities. But, in a span of three years, she was beaten and tortured by her husband and even attempted suicide.

It was only when some members of the community and Chaya, an organization for South Asian victims of domestic violence that provides resources such as transitional housing, stepped in that she finally escaped her abusive husband.

As the South Asian population grows exponentially in the Seattle area, incidents of domestic violence within the Indian American community are on the rise. On an average, Chaya receives as many as four cases per month.

Women who suffer physical and verbal abuse in their families are often left with very few options. They have little trust in mainstream culture, and often fear deportation and the ensuing shame of returning home.

“Even if they do muster up some courage to seek services, the lengthy process and paperwork and language issues overwhelm them,” Sudha Shetty, chairperson of Chaya, told the California newspaper India-West.

Research has proved that spousal abuse occurs even in the most elite households and, quite often, children who witness violence in their family grow up to become batterers themselves. If the victims of abuse get lucky and somehow are able to get the word across through friends or family, the victim, usually a woman may be lucky to find a sympathetic community in providing the necessary help.

“If it wasn’t for some of the community members, I would be a dead person by now,” confided a battered victim from a local county. “Every day I would be beaten, starved and mentally tortured by comments from my in-laws. I had nowhere to go,” she told India-West.

It sounds strange in this country, but some members of the Indian American community are still stuck on the issue of dowry in a marriage. Ironically, women who should be sympathetic often end up convincing the victims to reconcile and stay in the situation.

“I was told to wait and be patient and not to provoke my husband and things will change eventually,” confided a victim. “But it got worse with time and no matter what I did, he would still find reasons to become violent.”

Unofficial surveys of the South Asian population reveal that a larger number of cases of abuse are not reported. Because of the social stigma, the victims are encouraged to keep the problem to themselves, sacrifice for the sake of the family, and live the life of a model Indian woman. Even if they summon enough courage to report the incidents, the victims are often unable to access appropriate care due to the lack of culturally specific services.

Although there are no accurate statistics for the South Asian community in King County, the estimated population is more than 35,000 in the Washington State, of which Seattle is the capital. The Refugee Women’s Alliance provided services to only seven South Asian clients during 1997 and 1998, whereas the number of domestic violence cases referred to Chaya more than doubled within the last six months.

“In a period of six months alone, we received 13 cases and we are surprised because all these cases are referred through indirect resources,” said Shetty.

Chaya is now developing plans to reach out to women by posting flyers in temples and public places. Other organizations such as the India Arts and Heritage Society (IAHS) are partnering Chaya to reach the community through its outreach programs.

“All the organizations should make a genuine effort to support Chaya and get the word out to our community,” commented Amrik Kamoh, chairman of IAHS.

“The organization is not only rehabilitating the victims but also creating awareness amongst the community to take preventive measures in assisting families and educating women about their rights.”

Added Shetty, “As a community we have a huge responsibility to create a healthy society. We need to work hand in hand to focus on prevention, outreach and education to assert that domestic violence is unacceptable. We need to break the silence.”

Acclaimed journalist, editor, educationist, and award winning author, Dr. Rashmee Sharma is best known for her journalistic contributions globally. With a wide range of educational experience in teaching from grade K-undergraduate courses, Rashmee has presented writing seminars internationally. She is also the US correspondent for the Femina Magazine, published from India.
Born in New Delhi and raised in the famous pink city of Jaipur, Rashmee graduated form Rajasthan University and completed Ph. D. in American Literature from University of Washington.
Rashmee currently lives in the beautiful city of Seattle and plans to promote South Asian contributions and achievements. A social entrepreneur and women’s advocate, Rashmee strongly promotes self-reliance in self-pride amongst women.

To contact her directly please write: rashmee.rashmee.com



Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in these columns are solely those of the interviewee(s) and do not necessarily represent those of the editor/publisher.