The State of the Field: Data from the Frontlines of South Asian Gender-Based Violence Work

Much of the mainstream research on gender-based violence (GBV) overlooks or generalizes GBV in AAPI and South Asian communities. To address this gap, South Asian SOAR (SOAR) conducted nationwide listening sessions in 2021 with organizations on the frontlines of GBV work in South Asian American communities. In October 2022, the findings of these listening sessions were shared in the publication of a national report titled Together We Rise. This report presented a qualitative landscape assessment of the challenges and needs of South Asian communities experiencing gender-based violence. However, a crucial need remained for quantitative data to better understand community-based organizations and the survivors they work with, including the programs and services they offer, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on them. To address this gap, SOAR surveyed its member organizations, the only national network of South Asian GBV organizations. This report marks a significant stride towards gathering and disseminating essential data about GBV within South Asian communities.