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The aim of this research is to develop an understanding of the experiences of sexual violence, including child sexual abuse of South Asian women. We would like to study how South Asian women make sense of their experiences of sexual violence and also how they feel about the services available to them. Part of the role of this research, therefore, is to give such women a voice to speak out about such issues where previously they have not had an opportunity to do so. We are also interested in how health care/clinical professionals and other service providers make sense of the experiences and needs of South Asian service users and how race, gender and class issues inform their policies and practice. We are planning to conduct a qualitative interview study. We have already approached a variety of agencies such as the Rape Crisis Federation (RCF), Women Against Rape, Karma Nirvana and the ELSAS team at the Royal London Hospital who provide a clinical service for women who have been referred for sexual assault. All of these organisations have already expressed an interest in taking part in the study providing advice on the research. We aim to interview South Asian women who have experienced sexual abuse or violence and are comfortable taking part in the study. We hope to recruit these women through the agencies and organisations who agree to take part. We would also like to interview employees of organisations such as RCF and other womens support groups who work directly with South Asian women. We are also planning to interview clinical and health professionals who are responsible for treating and/or providing clinical/therapeutic services to South Asian women who have experienced sexual violence. The findings will provide insight into existing psychological perspectives on understanding violence (with a substantive focus on child sexual abuse), and on race, gender and cultural issues. It will also provide valuable insight into existing policies and practices which are currently used to provide services to South Asian women who have experienced sexual violence

Award/Grant Outputs and Documents
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