Asian-American and Pacific Islanders, AAPI, make up a growing number of Americans. AAPI survivors of sexual violence face challenges as all populations do, but there are cultural considerations when supporting AAPI survivors. Cultural competence surrounding AAPI communities allows for survivors of sexual violence to feel better understood and less alone.

AAPI survivors may face hypersexualization by those outside of their community and hypersexualization can increase personal and societal stigma that creates barriers to seeking support. On the other hand, some AAPI survivors face desexualization which perpetuates the inaccurate and offensive stereotype of being viewed at as less likely to be desired or abused. Other stereotypes and social expectations about AAPI can amplify the shame AAPI survivors feel when disclosing or seeking support.

Survivors.org Community

As is the case with other marginalized populations, many sexual violence organizations do not have staff or materials that consider the experience of an AAPI survivor. Finding shared spaces with other AAPI survivors can mean the difference between feeling supported and feeling overlooked. In creating this space for AAPI survivors to cultivate connection, we hope to dismantle stereotypes and foster true community.