Wife Battering in Asian American Communities

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Abstract
Although previous research has revealed that wife battering transcends all boundaries, little research has been done on the problem of wife battering in Asian communities in the United States. Drawing from interviews conducted with 18 Asian community activists and service providers throughout the United States, this article examines the specific needs of Asian women who are battered and explores the various structural and cultural constraints that inhibit Asian women from securing help from mainstream social service providers. Results of this study indicate that Asian women who are battered, particularly recently arrived immigrant and refugee women, have needs that differ markedly from most battered women in the general U.S. population. These needs center around language issues, cultural issues, immigration issues, and structural issues. The article concludes by identifying some of the specific needs of battered Asian women and providing recommendations for social service providers to better meet these needs.