Tsim Txom: Domestic Violence in Hmong Society

Length 29:42
Licensor Wisconsin Public Radio
Producer(s) Brian Bull
Formats Debut (not aired nationally), Documentary, Enterprise/Investigative
Topics Asian, Family, Women
Produced December 29, 2005
Added to PRX January 1, 2006
 

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Summary:

A look at domestic abuse in Hmong culture

Website:

http://www.wpr.org/news/tsimtxom.cfm

Additional Credits and Funding:

Voice-over translations by Randall Davidson and Lori Skelton. Editorial input by Gil Halsted, Charles Michael Ray, and Margaret Bull.

Timely on:

May: Asian Heritage Month..or October, which is DV Awareness month

Tones:

Disturbing, Informational, Personal

Language:

English

Description:

RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award for Best Documentary (Region IV); part of winning submission for national RTNDA-UNITY Awards, Large-Market Radio; Wisconsin Associated Press 1st Place for Documentary; Northwest Broadcast News Association Eric Sevareid Award for Best Documentary, Large Market Radio; and finalist, DART Awards, from the DART Center of Journalism and Trauma.
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Back in their traditional homeland of Laos, the Hmong people observed a patriarchal society. Men made the rules, women kept their place. It was expected that while a husband could lead a clan or simply stay out late with friends, the wife would stay behind and mind the home and children.

After the Vietnam War, many Hmong -- who sided with the U.S. Forces -- fled southeast Asia to avoid persecution. Thousands of Hmong have come to America, where the concept of gender equality has been one of the biggest challenges to the their traditional value system.

As opposed to Laos, women in America can work outside the home, get an education, choose their mates, and become community leaders. While some Hmong herald these opportunities, others denounce them as contrary to their culture. This disagreement has caused tensions in some Hmong households, and clashes among relatives have even escalated to violence.

Crisis advocates are quick to note that while Hmong-Americans don't particularly have higher rates of domestic violence than other groups, unique cultural factors may keep a significant number of victims from seeking help. One of the most immediate is the clan system, which is expected to intervene and resolve the matter before police or crisis counselors are called in.

Tsim Txom: Domestic Violence in Hmong Society looks at how some victim advocates are addressing the problem, through education and culturally-sensitive services. Through interviews with abuse victims, Hmong community representatives, and crisis counselors, the span of the dilemma -- and possible solutions -- are illuminated in this in-depth documentary.