ATASK primarily serves Asian families and individuals in Massachusetts and New England who suffer from or are at risk of suffering from domestic violence. Our clients include a range of Asian ethnic populations. ATASK embraces and represents all ages, cultures, abilities, and sexual preferences. More about our typical clients
We serve immigrants and refugees from East Asian, South, and Southeast Asian.
95% of families have incomes below the Federal Poverty Rate.
The majority of clients reside in the Greater Boston and Greater Lowell areas.
Most clients are women, and are between the ages of 21 and 45.
We serve children with a family-centered model.
Challenges Our Clients Face
Asian immigrants or refugees face distinct, cultural challenges when confronting domestic violence in the home:
Violence is seen as a family matter; seeking help outside the family is perceived as disgraceful to the family.
Asians who leave their spouse risk being ostracized from their entire community and support system.
A refugee from war or conflict abroad will often have no surviving relatives except a spouse, meaning any decision to leave will sever the last remaining tie to family.
Experience in their countries of origin often cause Asians 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 Asians are not knowledgeable about the community resources available to them.
Limited or non-existent English language skills and illiteracy in their native languages make it difficult for some Asians to build new lives in the United States. Most mainstream human service agencies present cultural and linguistic barriers to Asian families.
