1. “The Role of Community in Addressing the Cultural Legitimization of Domestic Violence Among Indo-Caribbean Immigrant Women”

2. Background  Indo-Caribbeans: East Indian Caribbean nationals with roots in India. (Williams, 1970)‏  Indentured servitude (period of 1838- 1917) result of abolition of slavery to meet labor demand. (Williams, 1970)‏  Over 300,000 Indo-Caribbeans residing in Queens (Verma, 2006; Gosine, 2002) majority from Guyana, Trinidad and Suriname.  Population also present in Barbados, Grenada and Jamaica. (Gosine, 2002)‏

3. Trinidad, Guyana and Suriname

4. Sakhi for South Asian Women, New York  Anti domestic violence NGO serving South Asian communities (Bangladesh, India and Pakistan). (Sakhi.org, 2009)‏  In 2008 Sakhi received 675 calls and emails regarding DV, 6% (43) from Indo-Caribbean women (Sakhi.org, 2009)‏  DV among immigrants includes issues ranging from language barriers to cultural factors. (Abraham, 2000)‏

5. Cultural Perspective & Immigrant Constraints  Marital violence in the context of alliance of families. (Abraham, 2000)‏  Traditional gender roles, moral & religious values, (Abraham, 2000)‏ ethnic identity, (Haniff, 1999)‏ family structure. (Shiv Parsad, 1999)‏  Immigration & rural ‏similarities: physical/social isolation & limited confidentiality.(Adler, 1996)‏  Countries of origin recent DV laws but lack of enforcement due to silencing of issue. (Lazarus-Black, 2003)‏

6. Review of the Literature  Social organization (Goode, 1971) restrictive family roles accepted among Indo-Caribbeans supported by religion and morals that enforce conformity.  Culture (Hand, 2006) as a “set of beliefs, values and ways of being in the world that are the properties of the dominant group of a particular region”.  In relation to immigration these features adapt to the group's new lifestyle and remain inherent in the culture.

7. Review of the Literature  Cultural differences between South Asian culture & diaspora (Dhruvarajan & Hussain, 2005)‏  Assimilation and multiculturalism (Suinn, Khoo, & Ahuna, 1995)‏  Minimal acculturation with mainstream South Asian or American society. (Hussain, 2005)‏

8. Significance of Research  DV is a global cross-cultural phenomenon thus potential to address other immigrant communities.  Acknowledge South Asian diaspora & cultural acceptance of violence against women.  Lack of non profit organizations that serve Indo-Caribbeans.  Initiate community response to cultural changes to address DV.  Analyzing barriers & access to services.

9. Research Questions  How is cultural legitimization of domestic violence among Indo- Caribbean immigrant women addressed within the community?  Is the community familiar with or aware of domestic violence services?

10. Methodology  Qualitative study will examine community perception of cultural attitudes of Indo-Caribbean women & cultural acceptance of DV.  Interviews and questionnaires distributed among Indo-Caribbean women (snowball sampling) within Richmond Hill community (pattern and content analysis). (Patton, 1990)‏

11. Limitations of Study  Cultural exclusion from South Asian women's organizations (language & religious traditions).  Male privilege reinforced by ethnic identity & moral values. (Haniff, 1999)‏  Generational differences. (Hussain, 2005)‏  Immigration (length of residency in country of origin or U.S.)  Silence surrounding the issue of DV. (Lazarus-Black, 2003)‏

12. Status of Research  IRB approved August 20, 2009.  Ongoing recruitment from: Jahajee Sisters, Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Youth/Professionals, South Asian Youth Action (SAYA!), Rajkumari Cultural Center, Queens College GSA etc.  Research website established.  Participant interviews have been scheduled & are being conducted.

13. Preliminary Findings  Community organization & factors of shame.  Values included stigma surrounding divorce, retained that DV is a “behind closed doors issue”and suspected prevalence among more religious women.  Alcohol & drug addiction viewed as the actual culprit behind violence.  Difference of opinion among older & younger women (silence vs. acceptance).  Women agreed that issue is referred to as “life” or “marriage” and not abuse.

14. South Asian Diaspora and Creating Change “To address domestic violence, we need to mobilize the different segments, that make up the South Asian community, and transcend ethnic, national, religious, class and gender divisions. Women's and men's different backgrounds, including country of origin, age, class, sexuality, ethnicity, religion, education, socioeconomic situation and personal histories all play into the dynamics of how we envision change.” - Abraham, (1999)‏

15. Questions? Further information is available at: www.IndoCaribbean.webs.com