|
There is no typical Asian response to sexual assault because
there is no such thing as "typically Asian." People from Asia or of Asian
ancestry are a very diverse group, ranging from members of the Far-Eastern
cultures of Japan, Korea or China, to the various Southeast Asian groups--
Mainland and Insular--as well as people from the vastly diverse South Asian
and Middle Eastern areas. If you are Asian-American, your traditional cultural
background has been blended to varying degrees with aspects of American
culture.
Traditionally, in many Asian cultures, but not all, virginity in women
prior to marriage is prized and valued. Your parents, and to some degree
you, may hold this belief. Consequently, having been raped can result
in terrible feelings of shame, threatening to bring great dishonor to
you and your family if it is revealed. However, it is possible to get
help with your feelings and be assured of complete confidentiality. You
have control over what course of action is taken after the assault, and
your parents need not be notified.
In some traditional Asian cultures, women are seen as below men, of less
value, and more at the mercy of their desires and emotions. Thus you may
feel, even more than other women, that you are somehow responsible for
what has happened, that as a woman you can only expect such things will
happen to you. You may feel that it is your fate. These feelings are very
understandable, given their cultural context. Your reactions also can
be appreciated by a mental health professional who will not judge you.
It's not unusual that in some Asian cultures the whole subject of sexuality
is taboo. To even talk about it brings disgrace to
you and your family. If this is so, then talking about a sexual assault
may be even more difficult and upsetting. Yet care givers have often found
it helpful to survivors of an assault to talk eventually about the experience
in detail. This can help relieve or lessen symptoms. Therefore, you may
want to consider seeking psychological help, even though it may sound
very difficult, inappropriate or disgraceful. It's important that your
care giver be sensitive to your perspective and proceed at a pace that
is comfortable for you. You don't have to talk about anything that feels
too uncomfortable to you. However, when you are ready, it will be helpful.
Return
to Top
|