• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer
South Asian Network

South Asian Network

JOIN OUR E-MAIL LIST DONATEEXIT
  • About
    • Mission & Vision
    • Our History
    • Our People
    • Impact Stories
    • Partners & Allies
    • Funders & Supporters
  • Programs & Services
    • AWAZ: Voices Against Violence
    • CHAI: Community Health Action Initiative
    • CCE: Citizenship & Civic Engagement
    • EMH: Emotional & Mental Health
    • REQUEST A SERVICE
  • Resources
  • Media
    • Blog
    • In the News
    • Press Contacts
    • Newsletters
    • Gallery
  • Calendar
  • Engage
    • REQUEST A SERVICE
    • Donate
    • Contact Us
    • Work with Us
    • Volunteer

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: The Prevalence of Sexual Violence in the South Asian Community

April 1, 2022 by South Asian Network

 TRIGGER WARNING: RAPE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT

BY CYNTHIA CHOCKALINGAM, CIVIL RIGHTS UNIT INTERN AT SAN

The South Asian culture is one that has taught us to be silent in our suffering; it has taught us that there is nothing more important than being selfless. This selflessness leads us to being caught in a culture where gender and sexuality issues go almost completely unaddressed. There’s a taboo in even approaching such issues as they risk the family’s “reputation,” so girls are taught to be selfless in valuing their families over themselves. This taboo results in further suffering to victims and the relationships they have with their families and those around them. In many South Asian communities, victims are silenced and left without help. 

Even more so, members of the LGBTQ+ South Asian community face even more sexual attacks, yet they receive even less attention. A study conducted in the New York State region—-led by professors and individuals affiliated with New York University—consisting of 385 18 to 34 year-olds that are South Asian Americans quantified some disparities between these different communities. 24.1% of the surveyed individuals identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Members of the queer community were more likely to be raped multiple times, quantifying that 17.2% of the South Asian American queer community experienced rape multiple times—compared to 9.6% of their heterosexual counterparts. Consequentially, sexual minorities had higher odds of depression.

Nonetheless, I must acknowledge the progress the South Asian American community has made in acknowledging sexual assault within American society. Body Evidence: Intimate Violence Against South Asian Women in America is a book edited by Shamita Das Dasgupta that examines violence women face in South Asian American communities. Since the 1990s, around 25 South Asian community-based organizations have been established that are rooted in anti-domestic violence work. However, Sagarika Gami at Pomona College counters that these organizations primarily only solve individual problems while sexual violence in the South Asian American community is systemic; therefore, there must be a collective, systemic solution. Shamita Das Dasgupta argues that lots of the stigma surrounding sexual violence in South Asian American communities is heavily tied to the Model Minority Myth; I would agree with this. 

The model minority myth is a construct and a set of stereotypes framing Asians, including South Asians, as the “ideal” minority that works hard and does not challenge the status quo. The University of Texas at Austin explains that most Asian-Americans are placed into this category called “model minorities” essentially meaning they are perfect, successful, and what every minority should aim to be. The cultural expectations include being naturally “smart,” wealthy, hard-working, submissive and obedient, uncomplaining, and self-reliant. They live the “American Dream.” Vivian Biwei Huang at UCLA

✎ EditSign explains Asian American students often hide their personal problems and struggles compared to other demographics because they do not want to stray from this “good” stereotype where Asians and Asian-Americans are “perfect.” Ultimately, the myth is destructive for all parties. Many Asians and Asian Americans in the United States uphold these stereotypes and ideals out of safety and self-preservation. South Asians in this community live by keeping our heads down and staying out of the way, and we can survive. Consequently, victims of sexual violence are told to keep quiet to keep from causing disruption. While it is understandable that parents want nothing more than for their children to be able to succeed, the trauma left behind by sexual violence—especially untreated and unacknowledged trauma—prohibits many from growing and reaching their full potential. 

The number of victims in our South Asian American community is significant, and they cannot keep being ignored. The Asian Pacific Institute on Gender Based Violence helps quantify how large this problem is: “Of API women, 23% experienced some form of contact sexual violence, 10% experienced completed or attempted rape, and 21% had non-contact unwanted sexual experiences during their lifetime.” Further, “64% of Indian and Pakistani women had experienced sexual violence by an intimate in a study of 143 domestic violence survivors.” They also quantify, “50% of Indian and Pakistani abused women reported being stalked by an intimate partner.” These actions are surrounded by a culture that gives ground to violence. In fact, the institute states, “79% of South Asians…reported being hit regularly as children.” When violence is treated as normal from a young age, a South Asian woman who faces violence as an adult is less inclined to report it and prevent it from happening again. 

Concepts of “honor” and “shame” keep members of the South Asian American community from discussing situations of sexual violence—these patriarchal norms and values are prevalent in South Asian communities around the world. Consequently, as a community, we have overlooked this issue for quite some time. Despite these situations being prevalent for generations, we have been unable to address them due to the stigma surrounding these conversations; we then pay the price. Members of our own community continue to become victims with no light or solution in sight. 

BACK TO OUR PEOPLE BACK TO BLOG BACK TO OUR STORIES

Footer

South Asian Network

southasiannetwork

Your Wellness Wednesday tip of the week! Swipe to Your Wellness Wednesday tip of the week! Swipe to learn about how balancing exercise and a good diet can help lower the risk of Type 2 diabetes. #healthandwellness #wellnesswednesday #healthiswealth #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork #diabetes
It’s Wednesday! Here’s your wellness tip of th It’s Wednesday! Here’s your wellness tip of the week. Back to school days are here; swipe to learn about how to keep children healthy, happy, and focused. :) #wellness #wellnesswednesday #backtoschool #southasian #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork #healthandwellness
Welcome to Wellness Wednesdays, our new weekly ser Welcome to Wellness Wednesdays, our new weekly series! We will be sharing facts around health and wellness, along with tips on nutrition and exercise to encourage and maintain the good health of our community. Hope you learn something new! #wellnesswednesday #southasiannetwork #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #health
Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brother Raksha Bandhan celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters. During this annual celebration, the sister ties a rakhi (a bracelet/amulet) around her brother's wrist to symbolize the responsibility that he has towards protecting her. Happy Rakhi to all that celebrate!

#rakhi #rakhi2022 #southasian #celebration #nonprofit #california #southasiannonprofit
Snippets from our 4th Annual Citizenship Celebrati Snippets from our 4th Annual Citizenship Celebration! 🎈A fun, encouraging afternoon spent together with those we helped through their naturalisation, Irvine Mayor @farrahforirvine, Artesia Councilmember @ali_sajjad_taj and Lauren Yokomizo from the office of Supervisor @supjanicehahn #citizen #unitedstates #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
This weekend, SAN is hosting an event to celebrate This weekend, SAN is hosting an event to celebrate all those we helped with their naturalisation process! There will be lunch, keynote speakers, SAN service and photo booths! 🎈 #unitedstates #naturalisation #citizenship #southerncalifornia #nonprofit #southasiannetwork
Spent the weekend doing what we love; investing ti Spent the weekend doing what we love; investing time in our community’s well-being and progress. SAN held a yoga event with @soulfitnessla and a citizenship clinic at Gurdwara Singh Sabha, Buena Park! 🤍

#communityoutreach #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
Without consent, any sexual advancements and activ Without consent, any sexual advancements and activities are considered sexual assault. Make sure you take the right steps to help your partner feel comfortable.

#consent #sexualassault #awareness #survivorsupport #dvsupport #southasian #nonprofit #california
Join us on Tuesday July 26th to learn more about o Join us on Tuesday July 26th to learn more about our upcoming volunteer events and find where you can get involved! We'll have engagement opportunities through each of our units and we would love to see you there. Zoom link in bio.

#volunteer #nonprofit #nonprofitvolunteering #domesticviolenceadvocate #mentalhealthsupport #communityhealth #civicengagement #california
Don't ignore the importance of protecting your men Don't ignore the importance of protecting your mental health! SAN is here to guide you through the journey of improving your mental health. Reach out to learn more today.

#mentalhealth #menthalhealthmatters #southasian #therapy #southasiantherapy #freetherapy #freecounseling #nonprofit #california
SAN offers group workshops to help survivors heal SAN offers group workshops to help survivors heal and recover from their experiences. Reach out to learn more today!

#groupworkshops #southasian #support #domesticviolence #sexualassault #california #southasiannonprofit
Say hello to our newest family member! #nonprofit Say hello to our newest family member! #nonprofit #southasian #resources #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
Please do not hesitate to reach out to SAN for sur Please do not hesitate to reach out to SAN for survivor support services through our AWAZ Unit.

#sexualassault #domesticviolence #survivorsupport #nonprofit #southasian #socal #freeservices #dvsurvivorsupport #sasurvivorsupport
LA's Lotus Festival showcases the people and cultu LA's Lotus Festival showcases the people and culture of the Asian & Pacific Islands. SAN participated at the #41stlotusfestival health fair and was able to help our community with free Covid-19 PPE including at-home test kits and masks! 

#healthfair #lacounty #nonprofitorganization #southerncalifornia #southasiannetwork
Water and light snacks will be provided. Please br Water and light snacks will be provided. Please bring your own yoga mats if possible! #yoga #fitness #mindfulness #meditation #healing



18173 Pioneer Blvd., Suite “I”, Artesia, CA 90701
Phone: 562-403-0488 • E-mail: saninfo@southasiannetwork.org
Office Hours: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Monday to Friday.


Copyright © 2023 · SOUTH ASIAN NETWORK

site credits