The "unique" experiences of domestic violence of immigrant Sikh women through films.

Abstract

The larger context in which minority groups such as the Sikh community make sense of domestic violence, and assign meaning to abuse, has seldom been explored in intimate partner violence research. Current literature, regardless of racial background, tends to homogenize the multiple experiences, perceptions and understanding of domestic violence survivors. With South Asians, specifically those of Sikh descent, being one of the largest growing minority groups in Canada, it becomes necessary to understand how this ethnic group experiences, perceives and makes sense of domestic violence. By utilizing a qualitative approach of content analysis, an analysis of two South Asian films, Heaven on Earth and Provoked, is conducted. Moreover, this research uses an intersectional approach of culture, gender, religion, public policy and immigration status to illustrate the multidimensional experience, perception and understanding of domestic violence by the representation of the Sikh community in films.