Cultural Issues
cultural differences do not justify abuse - you have a right to be safe and free from violence no matter what culture you belong to
in New Zealand domestic violence is against the law
Some men claim in their culture women have a subordinate role and the use of violence is permitted to keep women in line. They accuse the legal system of attempting to destroy their culture or argue that laws against family violence are racist. However these claims are only ever made by perpetrators of domestic violence, not victims.
While respecting cultural values is important, all family members living free of violence is more important. Culturally appropriate stopping violence programs that have clear accountability to victims, are the best way to communicate the message to domestic violence perpetrators that culture cannot be used as an excuse for their violence. Likewise, it is important that culturally appropriate support services are made available for victims.
Finally, it is important to understand that, although domestic violence may be more or less visible in different cultures, it certainly occurs frequently in cultures within New Zealand and throughout the world. There is research to support the notion certain aspects of cultures which influence the prevalence and severity of wife beating* are, for example:
- the isolation of wives
- the availability of sanctuary to guarantee safety to women and children leaving an abusive husband/father
- cultural sanctions for domestic violence - formal or informal, negative or positive, e.g. this may be consistent and severe legal consequences for offending, community shunning of abusers, or positive rewards or recognition for men who are respectful/non-abusive to their wife/children
- aspects of womanhood, e.g. their economic role, their acknowledged or denied adulthood
*Counts, Brown & Campbell (eds), To Have & to Hit: Cultural Perspectives on Wife Beating (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1999)
