Gender Violence Within Bhutanese American Community

Abstract

Gender violence is an old problem worldwide. It is not an exception in the Bhutanese Community. However, the severity of the problem has grown substantially within the Bhutanese American Community following resettlement. In most cases, the victims are women and girls. A deeper investigation and historical authenticity might require finding the cause – whether the problem has grown following resettlement, or it was subdued while living in exile. This research was aimed to dig out the causes of growing gender violence in a newly resettled community and seek solutions to the problem. An anonymous survey was conducted, and the author held conversations with a number of community members and victims. Educating the victims to speak against their perpetrators while still providing social and other support would change the way the newly established community prosper. Dedicated service and support are required from local law enforcement agencies to encourage them to tell their stories. They need easy access to and guarantee of privacy and security from the police department, sexual assault hotline, medical practitioners, school and community organisations.