NCJ Number
177883
Journal
Violence Against Women Volume: 5 Issue: 6 Dated: June 1999 Pages: 684-699
Date Published
1999
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This article discusses the evolution of a grassroots organization, the Asian Women's Self-Help Association (ASHA), based in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, which has developed a culture-specific advocacy and intervention model.
Abstract
ASHA was formed in 1989 by a small group of South Asian women who wanted to voice their concerns about the increasing number of immigrant South Asian women in crisis due to domestic violence. They believed that because of the unique cultural influences and perspectives of South Asians in America, an intervention approach had to be based in a knowledge of these factors. Gradually, ASHA has expanded to include peer counseling, initial legal information, emergency medical and shelter information, and financial assistance in the form of loans; ASHA is also a liaison to the formal network of service agencies. ASHA recognizes that the therapy component in particular must pay attention to the cultural, historical, and ethnic contexts of the women and their families. In addition to a general knowledge of cultural values of clients, therapists must focus on two key concepts: the degree of acculturation that the client has undergone in the mainstream culture and the type of ethnic identity that the client has developed. In addition to discussing intervention issues and tools, this article profiles a model of intervention and describes social service intervention strategies as well as legal intervention strategies. 6 notes and 8 references