From Victim to Survivor: Using Best Practices to Guide the Way Jessica Li, Executive Director, Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) Amy Van Arsdale, Ph.D., Marymount University, Arlington, VA Private Practice, Washington, DC

Case Example

History Mission: To address, prevent, and end domestic violence and sexual assault in Asian/Pacific Islander communities while empowering survivors to rebuild their lives after abuse. DVRP in Maryland : 53 survivors, 14 ethnicities, over 6 counties

DVRP’s Definition of Domestic Violence Domestic violence is a pattern of abusive behaviors used to gain power and control over a dating partner, spouse or relative. It is not an isolated incident and can include verbal, emotional, psychological, sexual, economic, or physical forms of abuse such as: threats, slapping, choking, name calling, insulting, rape, blaming the survivor for abuse or controlling money...

Domestic Violence in the A/PI Community Asia/Pacific Islands: Many countries, many languages Perceptions and definitions of domestic violence varies, by culture and language Rooted in patriarchy Family is extremely important Conversations about relationships and dating Limited English proficiency Immigrants Cultural issues The “Model Minority” Asian Pacific Islander immigrants vs. Asian Pacific Americans

Project AWARE Detailed needs assessment of current or former clients of DVRP Conducted from October 2012 – October 2013 Follow-up of 2001 study Community members A collaborative effort between DVRP and Marymount University 29 women were surveyed, nine were interviewed Voluntary participation Confidential Bilingual Advocates assisted with data collection Helped to improve accuracy of participant responses

Participant Demographics Characteristic Percent of Sample Age years years years 50 years and over 3.4% 48.3% 24.1% 17.2% Marital Status Married Living with someone Single Divorced Separated 34.5% 10.3% 3.4% 13.8% 51.7% Time with partner (if applicable) Less than 4 years 4-10 years Over 10 years 17.2% 34.5% 48.3% Total Household Yearly Income $0/Unemployed 10.3% Less than $10,000 $10,000-$20,000 $20,000-$30,000 $30,000-$40,000 $60,000-$70,000 Over $70, % 17.2% 13.8% 24.1% 6.9% 10.3% Do You Have Any Children? Yes No 69.0% 31.0% If You Have Children, How Old Are They? 0 – 2 Years Old 3 – 5 Years Old 6 – 17 Years Old 18+ Years Old 24.1% 41.3% 20.7%

Common Barriers to Ending Abusive Relationship

Country of Origin of Project AWARE Participants

Frequency of Physically Abusive Behaviors

Frequency of Sexually Abusive Behaviors

In Their Own Words Some survivors may never identify as survivors of DV because they are taught to believe that physical violence is DV – but emotional and psychological is not (and mental health is a stigmatized issue) “At the beginning even when I went to the crisis center…, I didn’t realize that I was…abuse by my husband.”

Commonality of In-Law Abuse

Research Challenges/ Limitations Small team & budget for project 1 PI, 2 undergrad RAs, + DVRP staff (2 at the time of the project) Limited measures available for assessing IPV among the A/PI population Participant recruitment Stigma in Asian community DVRP advocate involvement was instrumental to project success Relied on volunteers for translation services

Best Practices Acknowledge that the survivor may have cultural and language needs. Provide training to interpreters and bilingual staff on the cultural issues and barriers that Asian survivors face. Interpretation and translation ≠ cultural competency. Make translated informational materials, work with A/PI community based organizations, make sure their staff are aware of the dynamics of DV

Recommendations & Next Steps Improve access to Asian language interpreters and have them trained on the cultural issues that abused Asian women face Educate abused Asian women about mental health issues that correspond with IPV and connect them with culturally and linguistically appropriate counseling services. Engage Asian IPV survivors with support groups in a variety of languages Provide shelter or transitional housing with multicultural staff, day care programs and various types of Asian food Provide police with translated materials on IPV to provide to Asian victims on emergency calls; and coordinate translation services with law enforcement Provide funding to provide outreach into Asian communities about IPV in Asian families

Contact Us Jessica Li Executive Director Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project Amy Van Arsdale, Ph.D. Marymount University