Dealing with Domestic Violence in the Hmong-American Community

• In Event: Dealing with Domestic Violence. Responses and Interventions

Abstract

Since the Hmong refugees arrival in the United States in the 1970s, multiple cases of homicide related to domestic violence among Hmong couples have been reported. Even though many of those cases involved a homicide-suicide, effective intervention and prevention are rarely discussed. For this reason, the Hmong-American community maintains a unique clan system, and the clan leaders have been at the forefront, often taking the place of counselors and mediators to guide families in violent relationships. Under the formal Hmong ideology, the abused wife is supposed to contact the clan leader of her husband for support and guidance. However, the resolution is often not helpful for the woman as the clan leader attempts to preserve the family and is likely to persuade the wife to stay in the abusive relationship. This presentation will discuss the findings from the focus group discussions, providing information about how second-generation Hmong women, men, and Hmong service providers perceive the opportunities and challenges of the traditional practices.

Author

• Yoshiko Takahashi, California State University, Fresno