Investigating Perspectives on Interpersonal Violence in Indian Community

Abstract

Previous studies by Fanslow and Robinson (2004) have shown that people in New Zealand face a severe public health problem with a high rate of interpersonal violence. Interpersonal violence among Indians living in New Zealand has not been studied extensively. The following study examined Indian community leaders in New Zealand to obtain their perspectives on violence in the Indian community. The study employed an explanatory research strategy. Six semi-structured interviews with Indian community leaders were performed to gain information on interpersonal violence. After conducting a thorough thematic analysis, seven significant themes were identified. These include the perspective of IV, gender roles and expectations, empowered women, power and control, reporting abuse, barriers of IV and risk factors. The findings revealed that cultural variables influenced how perpetrators behaved and how victims responded to the violence. The participants expressed the belief that male dominance, patriarchal structures, and exercising authority and control cause violence. Victims are unable to seek help and are hesitant to seek help since the perpetrators are often the family members. The study concluded that traditional Indian culture plays a significant role in the perpetration and victimisation of IV. The outcomes of this study could be used as a starting point for future IV research amongst cultural-based IV studies. Therefore, a comparative research in future could examine if culture plays a key role in the perpetration and victimisation IV in other ethnic groups, such as Maori and Pacifika culture in New Zealand.