This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Bui, H. N. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Bui, H. N. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Help-Seeking Behavior Among Abused Immigrant Women

A Case of Vietnamese American Women

University of Tennessee, Knoxville

The present study examines help-seeking behavior among abused Vietnamese American women to understand factors associated with their decisions to seek help. Using a qualitative method and data obtained from in-depth interviews with 34 abused Vietnamese American women selected from four different Vietnamese communities in the United States (Orange County, CA; Houston, TX; Boston, MA; and Lansing, MI) and 11 Vietnamese Americans who had contacts with Vietnamese American victims of domestic violence through their jobs, the study found that abused Vietnamese American women have sought help from their personal networks, the criminal justice system, and various victim service agencies. Data analyses suggest that the decisions of Vietnamese American women to reach out are complex and diverse and are shaped by various structural, cultural, and organizational factors. Acculturation on the part of abused women as well as victim services can facilitate the women’s efforts to seek help outside their personal networks.

Key Words: abused immigrant women • domestic violence • intimate violence victim • Vietnamese American women

Violence Against Women, Vol. 9, No. 2, 207-239 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1077801202239006


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				R. Mason, I. Hyman, H. Berman, S. Guruge, P. Kanagaratnam, and L. Manuel "Violence Is an International Language": Tamil Women's Perceptions of Intimate Partner Violence Violence Against Women, December 1, 2008; 14(12): 1397 - 1412. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Morash, H. Bui, Yan Zhang, and K. Holtfreter Risk Factors for Abusive Relationships: A Study of Vietnamese American Immigrant Women Violence Against Women, July 1, 2007; 13(7): 653 - 675. [Abstract] [PDF]

				A. M. Moe Silenced Voices and Structured Survival: Battered Women's Help Seeking Violence Against Women, July 1, 2007; 13(7): 676 - 699. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. W. Ocampo, G. A. Shelley, and L. H. Jaycox Latino Teens Talk About Help Seeking and Help Giving in Relation to Dating Violence Violence Against Women, February 1, 2007; 13(2): 172 - 189. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. Luke, S. R. Schuler, B. T. T. Mai, P. Vu Thien, and T. H. Minh Exploring Couple Attributes and Attitudes and Marital Violence in Vietnam Violence Against Women, January 1, 2007; 13(1): 5 - 27. [Abstract] [PDF]

				J. R. Gillis, S. L. Diamond, P. Jebely, V. Orekhovsky, E. M. Ostovich, K. MacIsaac, S. Sagrati, and D. Mandell Systemic Obstacles to Battered Women's Participation in the Judicial System: When Will the Status Quo Change? Violence Against Women, December 1, 2006; 12(12): 1150 - 1168. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. Bhuyan and K. Senturia Understanding Domestic Violence Resource Utilization and Survivor Solutions Among Immigrant and Refugee Women: Introduction to the Special Issue J Interpers Violence, August 1, 2005; 20(8): 895 - 901. [PDF]

				R. Bhuyan, M. Mell, K. Senturia, M. Sullivan, and S. Shiu-Thornton "Women Must Endure According to Their Karma": Cambodian Immigrant Women Talk About Domestic Violence J Interpers Violence, August 1, 2005; 20(8): 902 - 921. [Abstract] [PDF]

				S. Shiu-Thornton, K. Senturia, and M. Sullivan "Like a Bird in a Cage": Vietnamese Women Survivors Talk About Domestic Violence J Interpers Violence, August 1, 2005; 20(8): 959 - 976. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. E. Allen, D. I. Bybee, and C. M. Sullivan Battered Women's Multitude of Needs: Evidence Supporting the Need for Comprehensive Advocacy Violence Against Women, September 1, 2004; 10(9): 1015 - 1035. [Abstract] [PDF]