1. Adverse Childhood Experiences study and Domestic Violence in the
Asian- American Pacific Islander community: an overview
The Adverse Childhood Experiences study (ACEs) a
collaboration of Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention and Kaiser, provided detailed information of
the 17,000 participants’ experiences of abuse, neglect,
and family dysfunction during their childhood and
adolescence. Researchers measured 10 categories of
abuse, neglect and household dysfunction to their
relationship with health outcomes decades later. Each
category was rated equally. The findings proved that
adverse childhood experiences were very common.
Illustration from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC 24/7:
Saving Lives, Protecting People
One-third of those studied reported a score of zero.
However, when 1 ACE was present, there was an 87%
chance that there was also a 2nd
category present. They
found that 1 in 6 participants acknowledged the presence
of 4 or more adverse childhood events, and 1 in 9 had an
ACE score of 5 or more. Adverse childhood experiences
were found to have compounding negative effects
including an early death.
It showed that the higher a person’s ACE score, the more
likely they would engage in behaviors and compulsions
(alcohol overuse or abuse, substance abuse, overeating)
to treat those traumatic childhood experiences. That their
choices of short-term remedies often had long term
consequences like chronic health and social problems.
Trauma informed care in the medical profession must be
integrated system-wide to properly assess and treat those
with these experiences. Support of home visiting
programs, parenting education, high quality child care,
mental health and substance abuse treatment and
culturally appropriate domestic violence prevention is
required to prevent adverse childhood experiences from
occurring in the first place.
Domestic violence exists in all racial ethnic groups. However,
research conducted show that the Asian American Pacific
Islander (AAPI) community have lower levels of reports of DV.
Cultural beliefs of this community, which is very diverse within
itself but share many commonalities, contribute to
maintaining this silence and continued abuse against AAPI
women in America.
According to the 2010 US Census, 50% of Asian Americans in
the US are foreign born. They bring with them the cultural and
familial values of their country of origin which come in conflict
with the usage of formal supports currently in place to provide
intervention services to victims of domestic violence.
A barrier to women who identify within the AAPI community
is how the woman and her role within the family is viewed.
The woman’s position is to save face, put the needs of her
family and children above her own, maintain eco even if it
means enduring abuse by her partner, be a forgiver, endure
pain, and feel guilty and shameful to report it to others. This
is supported by the extended family, paternal in-laws who
either are the abusers of these women or are complacent and
blame the victim.
There are ideas that could shift these ideals that are also
culturally responsible and support the values and beliefs of the
community they are attempting to engage.
Community consensus to challenge family violence is
necessary. Many who have disclosed were advised to stay and
endure the abuse. Awareness and education to the
community must focus on campaigns targeted to parents and
extended family on the effects domestic violence has on the
health and well-being of women and their children through
meetings, forums and focus groups. Service providers are
needed from within the community to provide family
oriented, interventions congruent with ideals such as
harmony, peace and balance. Funding for prevention
programs and culturally appropriate research must be
included in this path to break the barriers of AAPI women from
seeking help from abuse by their intimate partners.
Colette Katuala, LCSW, owner Focused Clinical Solutions
San Leandro, CA.
focused.clinical@outlook.com

2. Works Cited
ACE - Access Continuing Education - Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence: Applying Best Practice Guidelines. (n.d.).
Retrieved from http://www.accesscontinuingeducation.com/ACE4000LP-11/c6/index.htm
Allday, E. (2015, May 7). How physicians can help patients cope with trauma. San Francisco Chronicle.
Brown, M. J., Masho, S. W., Mezuk, B., Perera, R. A., & Cohen, S. (n.d.). Adverse childhood experiences and intimate partner violence
perpetration: A Mediational analysis [Abstract]. Retrieved from
http://www.researchgate.net/publication/266811421_Adverse_Childhood_Experiences_and_Intimate_Partner_Violence_Perpetrati
on_A_Mediational_Analysis
Chang, D. F., Shen, B. J., & Takeuchi, D. T. (2009). Prevalence and demographic correlates of intimate partner violence in Asian
Americans. International Journal of Law and Psychiatry, 32, 167-175.
Cho, H., & Kim, W. J. (2012). Intimate Partner Violence Among Asian Americans and Their Use of Mental Health Services:
Comparisons with White, Black, and Latino Victims. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health, 14(5), 809-815. doi:10.1007/s10903-
012-9625-3
Dube, S. R., Anda, R. F., Felitti, V. J., Edwards, V. J., Williamson, D. F., & Dube, S. R., MPH. (n.d.). Exposure to abuse, neglect, and
household dysfunction among adults who witnessed intimate partner violence as children: Implications for integrated health and
social services (Rep.).
Felittl, V. J., MD. (n.d.). The Relationship of Adverse Childhood Experiences to Adult Medical Disease, Psychiatric Disorders, and
Sexual Behavior: Implications for Healthcare. In R. F. Anda MD,MS (Author).
Ho, C. K., PhD. (1990). An Analysis of domestic violence in Asian American communities: A Multicultural approach to counseling
(Rep.).
Lee, D. H. (n.d.). Intimate partner violence against Asian American women: Moving from theory to strategy (Discussion draft).
Lee, E. (2007). Domestic Violence and Risk Factors among Korean Immigrant Women in the United States. Journal of Family Violence,
22(3), 141-149. doi:10.1007/s10896-007-9063-5
Looking At How Aces Affect Our Lives & Society. (n.d.). ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES.
Mahaparta, N., PhD. (2008). South Asian women and domestic violence: Incidence and informal and formal help seeking
(Unpublished doctoral dissertation). University of Texas at Austin.
Meekyung, H., PhD, MSW. (n.d.). Exploring the relationship between exposure to domestic violence and child maltreatment in
childhood and the impacts on mental health problems in later young adulthood among Korean college students.
Pierce, M. (2003). ACE Reporter. ACE Reporter, 1(1), 1-4.
Prepared May 2015 – Ms. Katuala is a psychotherapist in the SF Bay Area with a focus clients with PTSD, anxiety and depression.
She has over 15 years of experience in public child welfare, having worked in many facets within that system.