“Survivors are here to teach us, so their story becomes our story.”
As the report clearly shows, Hmong advocates emphasized understanding the complexities of abusive international marriages and articulating a vision of and strategies for community change. It takes courage to address difficult problems in an open forum: the importance of being protective of one’s culture and community has to be balanced with speaking out against harmful practices. These discussions demonstrate how deeply Hmong advocates are invested in their communities and in cultural change work. Their powerful activism is a testament to culture as a dynamic, ever-changing force that mobilizes community assets to prevent sexual and domestic violence. This report belongs to Hmong advocates, activists, survivors, and community leaders; the inspiration their work offers belongs to all of us.
Related Resources
A Guide for Advocates to Understand the Legal Implications of Abusive International Marriages, 2016
This guide is intended as a resource for advocates who work with Hmong American women and families affected by abusive international marriages.
On Topic: Abusive International Marriages, Sex Tourism, and Trafficking
This brief clarifies the differences between abusive international marriages and/or relationships, trafficking, and sex tourism, and how the harms and labels we use impact women and survivors.
Hmong Women’s Dialogues Project: Our Voices Create Our Future, 2007
A Project of the Hmong Women’s Action Team (HWAT)
Women and advocates from the Hmong community define their vision and guiding principles to recommend community organizing and other strategic action plans to prevent domestic violence and address sexism.
Gender and Culture in Transition: A Community Conversation: Report on Domestic Violence Forum with the Fresno Hmong Community, 2014
By Central California Asian Pacific Women.
Advocates and community members from Fresno convened to examine domestic violence within the context of gender equity and how it impacts Fresno’s Hmong community. Participants identified steps that communities and systems can take to raise awareness, improve service for survivors, and redefine gender values and practices.