A Phenomenological Inquiry Into Support-Seeking Experiences for Women Survivors of Sexual Violence in the South Asian Diaspora

What is the public significance of this article? This study on South Asian women survivors of sexual violence expands the literature on survivors' experiences of shame and self-blame and impacts on survivor support seeking. Specifically, the results of this study suggest that informal supports and empowering cultural narratives shape a survivor's cognitive and emotional experience. Further, the results imply that South Asian women attend counseling for symptomology (e.g., eating disorder) rather than the trauma itself. Sexual violence survivors who are South Asian women may experience a dual stigma from the cultural taboo of discussing sex or sexual violence and the cultural stigma of seeking professional mental health support. The present study is a phenomenological investigation to understand the experiences of survivors of sexual violence as they sought support. The researchers conducted semistructured interviews with 20 South Asian American women, asking about their experiences with support seeking after an experience of sexual violence. The researchers then used content analysis to determine three larger themes: emotional stress and cognitive self-blame influencing support seeking, the interpersonal processes and experiences of support seeking, and cultural and societal dimensions that influence support seeking. The findings from this study suggest implications for creating increased access to counseling services and culturally informed trauma treatment.