Clients

The target constituency of ATASK consists of Asian families living in the Greater Boston and Lowell areas, particularly those suffering from, or at risk of, domestic violence. Our clients are culturally and linguistically diverse speaking 12 different Asian languages. In 1999 ATASK expanded with strong outreach to the South Asian (Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and others) and Korean communities which have been underserved with domestic violence services and education. ATASK staff speak ten different Asian languages and dialects. Most women served are between the ages of 21 and 45, and the majority of the children are under 12. 95% of the families we work with have incomes below the Federal Poverty Rate. In 1998 37% of our clients were from the city of Boston, 34% from greater Boston communities, and another 24% from the Lowell/Lawrence area. 11% were from other Massachusetts cities and towns while 2% were from out of state. A typical shelter resident is between the ages of 20-45 with three children under the age of 12.

ATASK embraces and represents all Asian women regardless of age, culture, ability and sexual preference.

Community

Immigrant and refugee Asian battered women face particular challenges when confronted with violence in the home which includes:

• Violence in Asian homes is viewed as a family matter; asking for help outside the family and divorce are perceived as a loss of face for the family.
• Leaving violent husbands or relatives can result in ostracism from the community and the loss of a women’s only support system.
• Due to decades of war and turmoil in the native countries of refugee women, a woman’s abuser may be the only relative she has left.
• Experience in their countries of origin often cause Asian women to mistrust uniformed authorities, preventing them from seeking help form police or utilizing the court system.
• Because they have been isolated by their batterers, many Asian women are not knowledgeable about the community resources available to them. Limited or non-existent English language skills, and illiteracy in their native languages also make it difficult to build new lives. Most mainstream human service agencies present cultural and linguistic barriers to Asian families.