Breaking the SILENCE !

PROMOTING…

SAFETY

FAMILY

LOVE

PEACE

what is domestic violence?
domestic violence is a
PATTERN OF COERCIVE BEHAVIOR that is used by a person against family or household members or dating partners to gain POWER OR CONTROL over the other party in a relationship.

what is domestic violence?
This behavior may be include any of the following:
 Physical violence
 Sexual abuse
 Emotional and Psychological Intimidation
 Verbal abuse and Threats
 Stalking
 Isolation from friends and family
 Economic control
 Destruction of personal property
 Animal cruelty

who can be a VICTIM?
 EVERYONE & ANYONE…

what are the forms of DV?
 PHYSCIAL abuse
 EMOTIONAL (mental) abuse
 SEXUAL abuse
 ECONOMIC (financial)

variety of tactics abusers use

variety of tactics abusers use
 Dominance
 Humiliation
 Isolation
 Threats
 Intimidation
 Denial
 Blame

what is the cycle of abuse?
Tension Building phase
Violent Episode
“Honeymoon” phase

what are the warning signs?
 Injuries and excuses
 Absences from Work or School
 Low Self – Esteem
 Personality Changes
 Fear of Conflict
 Not knowing what one wants or how one feels
 Self blame

Cultural Barriers in Abuse

Immigration issues
-Failing to file papers to legalize her immigration status
-Threatening to withdraw papers filed
-Threatening to take her children away from U.S
 Family violence, not just partner violence
-Mother- In- Law, Father-in-law, Sister-in-law, Brother-in-law
 Cultural stigma of divorce
-Societal isolation
-Character in Question
-Hampering the self esteem

Cultural Barriers in Abuse
 Family honor
Prevents women from leaving - “duty” to keep the family and marriage intact, despite abuse
-Man has the right to take the decision and control
-Man`s family always has more “say”
 Cultural differences
-
-
Dowry system
Gender inequality

what can “I” do to be safe?
 Call the police
 Get support from a Domestic Violence Agency or
Emergency Shelter
 Get support from friends and family
 Get medical help
 Make a Safety Plan – see www.kiraninc.org
for more information on how to make a safety plan

Resources…
 Interact (Wake County) 24hr. Hotline
919-828-7744
 Kiran Crisis Counseling 24hr Hotline
1-877-NCKIRAN
 Legal Aid of North Carolina

Current Work Done Nationally
 Karamah…
Muslim Women Lawyers for Human Rights (DC)
 Turning Point …
For women and Families (NY)

Shelter in Charlotte for Muslim women

KIRAN
 … is a multicultural, non-religious, community-based South Asian organization.
 offers HOPE to South Asians in North Carolina who are victims of Domestic
Violence
 promotes SELF-RELIANCE & EMPOWERMENT of South Asian women and men who are in crisis through outreach, peer support and referrals in a confidential manner
 serves people whose origin or background is from the following countries:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

KIRAN SERVICES
 Provide culturally specific Crisis Counseling over hotline in different languages 1-877-NC KIRAN
 Emotional support to our clients
 Information in a culture- and context-sensitive manner
 Support group which deals with specific issues to South Asian
 Language Assistance and Translation
 Referrals to professional and community services regarding legal issues, health care, short-term child care, psychological counseling, and temporary shelter and housing

Lets talk…
Openly, confidentially, with trust
&
NO JUDGEMENT