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http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/bg/10-13-05-712244.html
Domestic violence occurs in all cultures, but cultural factors should be taken into consideration when responding to abuse cases, participants said Friday during the "Not in my Neighborhood" conference at Harper College.
The Rolling Meadows-based Cook County 3rd Municipal District Family Violence Coordinating Council sponsored the conference at the college's Palatine campus to help judges, lawyers, social workers, law enforcement and the general public understand domestic violence and how different cultures deal with it.
Lydia Walker, a nationally known expert on domestic violence, said people need to be familiar with other cultures to break down barriers and make victims feel more comfortable in getting assistance.
Katy Yost, a manager for the Lake County Center for Independent Living in Mundelein, discussed domestic violence among deaf people.
"Deafness has a culture unto itself with its own traditions, values, beliefs, morals and rules," said Yost, who was born with almost no hearing, had artificial ear drums put in as a child, and has regained her hearing to a workable level.
She said many deaf people have children who are not deaf. When there is a domestic violence situation and police are called in, the child often becomes the communicator, but she said that should never happen. "Don't involve the children. Get a certified interpreter," Yost said.
Yelling 'hands'
She also said that deaf people express emotions with their facial expressions and the movement of their hands, so it may appear they are becoming violent when all they are doing is expressing their tone of voice.
"Yelling equals hands flying," Yost said.
Other participants spoke about domestic violence among ethnic groups. Kiran Siddiqui, a legal advocate from the Apna Ghar domestic violence shelter in Chicago, said family honor often stops South Asian women from seeking help.
"There's a saying in South Asian culture," Siddiqui said. " 'When you leave your father's house, you leave in a carriage. When you leave your husband's house, you leave in a coffin.' "
Speakers said immigrant women have extra obstacles to overcome when dealing with domestic violence. Some victims don't speak English, don't know resources exist, have no family in the United States, and may not even know what 911 is. Some abusers withhold immigration papers or a green card to get the victim to stay in an abusive relationship.
An abuser could threaten to have the victim deported and scare her into thinking she will never see her children again, said Zully Guillen, a representative from Mujeres Latinas en Accion, a Chicago agency that helps Hispanic women improve their lives.
Reluctance
Nijea Westley of the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority said some black women are reluctant to report abuse to police.
"They fear the system and frequently feel like they are being judged by authorities," Westley said. Malini Dyanna, a domestic relations attorney and a domestic violence survivor, appreciated the cultural panel's comments.
"We are becoming an increasingly diverse culture," said Dyanna, a resident of Elk Grove Village, "so hopefully these types of conferences will encourage workers in the field to really become more aware and sensitive of other cultures."
Marilyn Breiding, a volunteer at Arlington Heights-based Shelter Inc. that provides emergency housing for children and adolescents, wants to spread awareness of agencies helping victims of domestic violence.
"I hope people see that Shelter Inc. is a worthwhile community service that is really needed," said Breiding, an Arlington Heights resident. "All of these service agencies are needed." Other agencies participating in the conference included the Bridge Youth and Family Services, the Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence , PFLAG, Stepping Stones, Spectrum Youth and Family Services, and Women in Need Growing Stronger.
Domestic violence occurs in all cultures, but cultural factors should be taken into consideration when responding to abuse cases, participants said Friday during the "Not in my Neighborhood" conference at Harper College.
The Rolling Meadows-based Cook County 3rd Municipal District Family Violence Coordinating Council sponsored the conference at the college's Palatine campus to help judges, lawyers, social workers, law enforcement and the general public understand domestic violence and how different cultures deal with it.
Lydia Walker, a nationally known expert on domestic violence, said people need to be familiar with other cultures to break down barriers and make victims feel more comfortable in getting assistance.
Katy Yost, a manager for the Lake County Center for Independent Living in Mundelein, discussed domestic violence among deaf people.
"Deafness has a culture unto itself with its own traditions, values, beliefs, morals and rules," said Yost, who was born with almost no hearing, had artificial ear drums put in as a child, and has regained her hearing to a workable level.
She said many deaf people have children who are not deaf. When there is a domestic violence situation and police are called in, the child often becomes the communicator, but she said that should never happen. "Don't involve the children. Get a certified interpreter," Yost said.
Yelling 'hands'
She also said that deaf people express emotions with their facial expressions and the movement of their hands, so it may appear they are becoming violent when all they are doing is expressing their tone of voice.
"Yelling equals hands flying," Yost said.
Other participants spoke about domestic violence among ethnic groups. Kiran Siddiqui, a legal advocate from the Apna Ghar domestic violence shelter in Chicago, said family honor often stops South Asian women from seeking help.
"There's a saying in South Asian culture," Siddiqui said. " 'When you leave your father's house, you leave in a carriage. When you leave your husband's house, you leave in a coffin.' "
Speakers said immigrant women have extra obstacles to overcome when dealing with domestic violence. Some victims don't speak English, don't know resources exist, have no family in the United States, and may not even know what 911 is. Some abusers withhold immigration papers or a green card to get the victim to stay in an abusive relationship.
An abuser could threaten to have the victim deported and scare her into thinking she will never see her children again, said Zully Guillen, a representative from Mujeres Latinas en Accion, a Chicago agency that helps Hispanic women improve their lives.
Reluctance
Nijea Westley of the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority said some black women are reluctant to report abuse to police.
"They fear the system and frequently feel like they are being judged by authorities," Westley said. Malini Dyanna, a domestic relations attorney and a domestic violence survivor, appreciated the cultural panel's comments.
"We are becoming an increasingly diverse culture," said Dyanna, a resident of Elk Grove Village, "so hopefully these types of conferences will encourage workers in the field to really become more aware and sensitive of other cultures."
Marilyn Breiding, a volunteer at Arlington Heights-based Shelter Inc. that provides emergency housing for children and adolescents, wants to spread awareness of agencies helping victims of domestic violence.
"I hope people see that Shelter Inc. is a worthwhile community service that is really needed," said Breiding, an Arlington Heights resident. "All of these service agencies are needed." Other agencies participating in the conference included the Bridge Youth and Family Services, the Northwest Suburban Alliance on Domestic Violence , PFLAG, Stepping Stones, Spectrum Youth and Family Services, and Women in Need Growing Stronger.