Did you Know?

  • Asians are the fastest growing ethnic group in southeast Michigan.
  • Over 60% of the state's Asian population resides in Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.
  • Between 41% and 60% of Asian women in the United States are estimated to experience violence at the hands of an intimate partner sometime in her life.
  • According to the National Violence Against Women Survey of 1998, among women of different racial and ethnic backgrounds Asian/Pacific Islander women are least likely to report rape and physical assault.
  • Violence against Asian women may be underreported due to limited English language proficiency; immigration status; mistrust or fear of legal and service delivery systems; and cultural influences such as conflict avoidance, acceptance of male domination, and an aversion to seeking help.
  • A study conducted by the Family Violence Prevention Fund found that Asian men and women were less likely to define a husband's shoving or "face smacking" as domestic violence compared to Euro Americans.
  • Currently, there are approximately 60 programs addressing domestic violence in Asian communities across the nation.

Domestic violence is perpetuated across the world by cultural beliefs and norms based on the devaluation of women. It is often legitimized, obscured or denied by familial and social institutions.

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors that includes physical, sexual, economic, verbal, emotional, and/or psychological abuse used by adults or adolescents against (current or former) intimate partners, and sometimes against other family members. Domestic violence is also marked by a climate of fear in the home. It occurs in all communities regardless of race, class, faith, immigration status, education, gender identity, or sexual orientation. Asian communities are no exception.

Yet, Asian communities in southeast Michigan have been silent on this issue. The "model minority myth"—which attributes all Asians as well-educated, successful, and well-behaved—has helped mask the problem.

It is time to break the silence.