Reducing Substance Abuse and Intimate Partner Violence in Punjabi Sikh Communities

Abstract

This article outlines the importance of exploring spirituality in working with Punjabi Sikh men who have substance abuse issues and have committed violence towards their spouse. Seventeen in-depth interviews were conducted with South Asian front-line workers that included police officers, probation officers, counselors, social workers, child protection workers and victim service workers. The audio-taped data were transcribed and analyzed by identification of themes and subthemes. Participant comments around religion and the role it can play in prevention and intervention are highlighted. Front-line social service practitioners who work with Punjabi Sikh men need to consider the role the men's religious beliefs can play in substance abuse and intimate partner violence interventions.

“It Was Like Sugar-Coated Words”: Revictimization When South Asian Immigrant Women Disclose Domestic Violence

“…Similar to existing literature, participants found that SAs prefer not to be involved in social issues like DV and were in denial that abuse happens (see Abraham, 2000; Dasgupta, 2000, 2007; Thandi, 2011). When some women, such as Asha and Preet, approached the SA community for help, they were made to feel they had erred.…”

“…While MSOs aim to be inclusive of all abused women regardless of specific community or culture, the women I interviewed expressed a strong need for culturally and linguistically appropriate services. Their suggestions for interpreters and resources in various languages echo existing literature (Chokshi et al, 2010;Guruge & Humphreys, 2009;Menjivar & Salcido, 2002;Thandi, 2011). Three participants recommended hiring more SA staff familiar with various cultural backgrounds.…”

“…While activists continue to view DV as a serious problem within the SA diaspora in Canada, the problem remains largely hidden, in part because of a lack of appropriate support services (Shankar et al, 2013; Thandi, 2011). Nevertheless, demand for initiatives serving SAs is increasing in Canada (Chokshi et al, 2010).…”

“…Indeed, literature on SA women’s experiences of DV “is largely invisible, especially within Canada” (Chokshi et al, 2010, p. 155). Studies in Canada likewise remain limited to larger metropolitan cities such as the Greater Toronto Area and the Greater Vancouver region, even while many new immigrants have established themselves in the prairie provinces (Statistics Canada, 2017; see also Ahmad et al, 2009; George & Rashidi, 2014a, 2014b; Okeke-Ihejirika et al, 2018; Thandi, 2011).…”

Learning from the Research Process: Discussing Sensitive Topics as a Cultural Outsider

“…Some studies suggest that people who report higher religiosity are less likely to engage in alcohol and drug use (Delaney et al, 2009, Geppert et al, 2007, Hodge et al, 2007, Koenig et al, 2001. Studies relating to Sikhism in particular found that people who were striving to overcome alcohol problems were re-engaging with Sikhism to support them with their recovery through increased religious involvement, for example, performing Sewa (service) within the community and the recitation of sacred texts (Morgaria and Orford, 2002, Morjaria-Keval, 2006, Sandhu, 2009, Thandi, 2011.…”