‘I Am Talking About It Because I Want to Stop It’: Child Sexual Abuse and Sexual Violence Against Women in British South Asian Communities

Abstract

This paper explores the role of socio-cultural factors in violence against women and girls, focusing on child sexual abuse (CSA) and sexual violence (SV) in British South Asian communities. Using examples from thirteen in-depth interviews with survivors, the researchers examine (i) how abusers gain access to their victims, (ii) family and community responses, and (iii) the role of cultural factors in concealing CSA/SV. The interviews demonstrate that British South Asian survivors are extremely reluctant to disclose SV/CSA due to factors that other groups of victims usually do not face, including a general taboo about discussing sex and strong cultural norms around notions of shame. These findings are contextualised in relation to a larger study that also involved community focus groups and interviews with professionals in relevant fields. Moving forwards, new culturally-specific support pathways for British South Asian victims must be developed that take account of the role that victims and their communities must play if CSA and SV are to be effectively combatted.

The Role of Cultural Beliefs, Norms, and Practices in Nigerian Women’s Experiences of Sexual Abuse and Violence

“…In addition, men used religion to assert gendered expectations on women such that when women resisted expectations of them as a "traditional wife," violence was sometimes used to get them to conform (Gangoli et al, 2020;Mama, 1989;Thiara & Gill, 2012). With regard to disclosure and help-seeking, studies found that the desire to maintain their "honor" within their community, cultural norms acquired through socialization, and gendered power relations were key features in women's narratives of their inability to seek help and escape abusive relationships (Ahmed et al, 2009;Femi-Ajao, 2018;Gill & Harrison, 2019). Similar findings were reported in a scoping review examining sociocultural risk factors affecting domestic violence among South Asian immigrant women in English-speaking countries (Rai & Choi, 2018).…”

“…To this end, there is a growing number of studies documenting the pattern, nature, and impacts of violence against women (VAW) of BME origin, including barriers to help-seeking and women's experiences of support in the United Kingdom. However, these studies have largely focused on domestic VAW in South Asian communities (e.g., Ahmed et al, 2009;Anitha, 2008Anitha, , 2019Belur, 2008;Chantler et al, 2017;Gangoli et al, 2006;Gill, 2004;Gill & Harrison, 2019), thus, limiting the transferability of findings to other BME women in the United Kingdom. Some have considered South Asian women alongside other minority groups (e.g., Batsleer et al, 2002;Gangoli et al, 2020;Hester et al, 2007;Mama, 1989;Thiara & Gill, 2012;Thiara & Roy, 2010) and one, focused on African and Caribbean women (Kanyeredzi, 2018).…”

Experiences of Women Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse in Relation to Nonsupportive Significant Adults: A Scoping Review

“…Studies reported fear of being disbelieved, rejected, or blamed for the abuse (Alaggia, 2010; Gill & Harrison, 2019; Timraz et al, 2019) and participants’ own interpretation of consequences (Chien, 2008; Collin-Vèzina et al, 2015; Mayhall, 2014; Tyagi, 2002) and inhibited disclosure. These studies indicate that certain behavior of NOSA does not provide a supportive family environment for disclosure to take place and that the survivors did not feel open to disclose the CSA due to the anticipation or fear of negative consequences.…”

“…Factors such as patriarchal power structure, strong familial moral codes or familial values, and secrecy of family shame in various cultures contributed to the victim’s inability to disclose the acts (Gill & Harrison, 2019; Hardy, 2018; Timrazet al, 2019; Tsun, 1999; Tyagi, 2002). These cultural barriers that prevented disclosure included maintaining family ties; fear of ruining the family’s reputation, secrecy, and privacy; maintaining a “good face” in the community; dishonoring the family; loyalty; respecting the elders; and showing obedience (Timrazet al, 2019; Tyagi, 2002).…”

“…These cultural barriers that prevented disclosure included maintaining family ties; fear of ruining the family’s reputation, secrecy, and privacy; maintaining a “good face” in the community; dishonoring the family; loyalty; respecting the elders; and showing obedience (Timrazet al, 2019; Tyagi, 2002). Family values appeared to impact the ability of the victim to disclose their abuse, where a lack of close relationships with family members caused victims to not disclose, as they felt they had no one to confide in (Gill & Harrison, 2019; Hardy, 2018). As such, not only do family values impact disclosure but so does the family environment.…”