Burden of Womanhood: Tamil Women’s Perceptions of Coping with Intimate Partner Violence

Helping women victimized by intimate partner violence (IPV) is a challenge, particularly when the women belong to diverse
ethnic groups. The objective of our study was to collect information on perceptions of coping with IPV from the perspective
of a specific immigrant group of women. Sixty-three women from the Tamil community in Toronto representing different generations
and experiences of IPV were interviewed in focus group settings about their views of coping with IPV. Study findings suggested
that their views were deeply embedded in their sociocultural context and influenced by the gender-role expectations from the
community. The women showed a marked preference for “passive” modes of coping rather than “active.” Study findings have implications
for the development of alternative approaches to helping ethnically diverse women deal with IPV.