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Speaking about sexual abuse in British South Asian communities: offenders, victims and the challenges of shame and reintegration

Cowburn, Malcolm; Gill, Aisha K.; Harrison, Karen

Authors

Malcolm Cowburn

Aisha K. Gill

Karen Harrison



Abstract

Cultural dynamics have a significant impact on how sexual matters, including sexual abuse, are discussed in British South Asian communities. The ways in which these communities talk about sexual violence often reinforce patriarchal norms and values, especially those concerned with honour and shame. As a result, victims are either silenced or the blame for the sexual violence they have suffered is laid at their own feet. Addressing the fact that these problems are rooted in patriarchal norms and values is key to understanding how to tackle sexual offending effectively in such communities. Both retributive and restorative justice are necessary in responding to sex crimes; retributive approaches help to recognise victims’ suffering, while restorative approaches offer promising avenues for encouraging victims and offenders alike to speak about their experiences. Both approaches are essential components to reintegrating victims and offenders into their communities.

Citation

Cowburn, M., Gill, A. K., & Harrison, K. (2015). Speaking about sexual abuse in British South Asian communities: offenders, victims and the challenges of shame and reintegration. Journal of Sexual Aggression, 21(1), 4-15. https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2014.929188

Acceptance Date Apr 1, 2014
Publication Date 2015-02
Deposit Date May 20, 2016
Publicly Available Date Mar 28, 2024
Journal Journal of sexual aggression
Print ISSN 1355-2600
Electronic ISSN 1742-6545
Publisher Routledge
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 21
Issue 1
Pages 4-15
DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/13552600.2014.929188
Keywords Sex offenders; South Asian communities; Cultural dynamics; Honour; Reintegrative shaming; Restorative Justice; Victim survivors
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/438457
Publisher URL http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13552600.2014.929188
Additional Information This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of sexual aggression on 1 July 2014, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/13552600.2014.929188.

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