October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Verizon is attempting to create awareness. Verizon gave 60k to five organizations in the Bay Area that focus on fighting Domestic Violence in the Asian American Community. These agencies (Asian Americans for Community Involvement, Asian Women’s Shelter, Chinese Community Health Resource Center , Korean Community Center of the East Bay and Maitri)  say they will use the money (each got from 5k to 15k) to “support new and existing domestic violence prevention programs” such as emergency shelters, youth peer counseling and in-language staffing support.

Although we know that domestic violence isn’t only limited to Asian Americans and could happen to anyone, Verizon says they chose the Asian American community because:

1. Verizon is based in San Fran where there is a large Asian American community.
2. Verizon believes the Asian American community faces unique challenges and risks because of “language and cultural” barriers.

I don’t think the language barriers have anything to do with Asian American domestic violence victims not asking for help. Cultural barriers? Maybe. I’d say cultural differences instead of barriers but it some would argue a case of semantics. Ultimately, those who are victims of domestic violence have their own reasons for not asking for help or getting out of the relationship. They could be embarrassed, scared or hopeful for change. It’s hard to say unless you’ve been in an abusive relationship yourself.

Either way, Verizon is doing a good thing here. Now if they could just get rid of that annoying “Can-You-Hear-Me-Now” guy with the emo glasses.

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Violet is a guest blogger for GOProductionsLA.  She’s a twenty something, Asian American chick  livin’ up the party life in Los Angeles. Find her at Cabana club on Fridays  and the newest restaurants and bars every other day of the week. If you’d like a fresh perspective, have a topic you’d like to see discussed or just want to say hello, email Violet : Violet@GoProductionsLA.com

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