title: "Violence is an international language": Tamil women's perceptions of intimate partner violence.
abstract: Research on intimate partner violence (IPV) across populations is challenging because of the multiplicity of definitions and lack of clarity about the behaviors that constitute IPV. The purpose of this study was to examine the ways in which Sri Lankan Tamil women in Toronto understand, define, and experience IPV. Focus group interviews were conducted with women representing different ages and stages of life. Findings suggest that definitions of IPV were not culturally specific. Rather, the Tamil women defined IPV broadly and recognized different forms of coercive control. However, psychologically abusive behaviors were identified that held particular meanings for this community.
authors.affiliation: Violence and Health Research Program, Women's College Hospital Research Institute, University of Toronto. Toronto, Canada.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mason
authors.forename: Ilene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hyman
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Berman
authors.forename: Sepali
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guruge
authors.forename: Pushpa
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kanagaratnam
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Manuel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D018585:Battered Women / Q000523:psychology*; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008875:Middle Aged; D009864:Ontario / Q000453:epidemiology; D012945:Social Values; D013179:Spouse Abuse / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology; D018454:Spouses / Q000208:ethnology; D013188:Sri Lanka / Q000208:ethnology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016387:Women's Health / Q000208:ethnology*