What Can Gurdwaras Do To Fight Sexual Abuse

[sikhstudent99]

it happends in Punjabi families where girls an boys are molested by family members an told to keep there mouth shut

happends a lot in india

what are some ways to fight this problem an bring awareness an rally the community together to fight this

[MisterrSingh]

Now you're trolling.

[simran345]

What will it take for you to spell correctly?

[MisterrSingh]

What Can Mosques Do To Fight Sexual Grooming?

[sikhstudent99]

Sexual abuse takes place in each community an probably is super bad amongst muslims but cause it happends sikhs should address the problem rather then ignore

[13Mirch]

Isn't that the polices job to help victims?

In today's world judicial authority is a farce.

What Can Mosques Do To Fight Sexual Grooming?

Remain silent and cry crocodile tears when they are exposed.

[sikhstudent99]

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Saturday, December 19th, 2015 | Posted by Rattan Mall

GARY THANDIS COLUMN: You deserve better

What are we doing wrong in that we arent reaching South Asian families?

BY GARY THANDI

SO in the 15 years I have worked in the social services system, one thing I hear about as it relates to the South Asian community is they dont want to come out and get counselling. Often such a comment comes from social service workers who themselves belong to the South Asian community and thus unintentionally reinforce this belief.

Of the South Asians that have come out for social services, many have been referred by other organizations such as the Ministry for Children and Families or BC Community Corrections (probation) who may impose sanctions on a client who fails to attend for a service such as counselling. Or perhaps South Asians struggling with addiction and mental health will end up in the hospital emergency room because things spiraled out of control for them. The unfortunate part of this process is that often a situation got pretty bad before it ever got to the attention of such authorities or services meaning opportunities were likely missed to help these South Asian men, women and children earlier.

Its an observation that South Asians dont come out for counselling that many accept outright. Its probably one of the reasons why South Asians do not get the linguistic and culturally responsive services that come anywhere near what their population needs and merits based on its size. For example, 1/3 of Surreys population is South Asian, but social services that meet their cultural and linguistic needs come nowhere near that number perhaps thats why so many end up coming to the attention of the Ministry for Children and Families, BC Corrections or the hospital because opportunities for earlier intervention and support were simply not there. Its ultimately convenient not to focus on this population simply because they are not as vocal about the need, nor is there much concerted effort to determine that need and try to meet it. After all, mainstream services are plenty busy and understandably arent trying too hard to find more work to add to their loads.

Something needs to change South Asian communities deserve better. For a start, we need to stop perpetuating what I consider is an inaccurate observation they dont come out and get counselling- and instead start saying What are we doing wrong in that we arent reaching South Asian families?

Evidence suggests South Asians often seek out their doctor when struggling with an emotional health issue. Ive also spoken to many teachers who say South Asian immigrant parents often talk to them about their struggles too. So they are in fact talking about their struggles why then arent we doing outreach and providing services wherever possible at those locations? Many South Asians go to places of worship or visit the library again more places to provide outreach (for example, hosting a table with various information on subjects such as mental health or addiction). Many will first speak to friends or family. So why are we not training community champions who can learn more about various social issues and can help their loved ones who may be struggling?

Im not saying some of these havent been done before however, in almost every instance the programs are temporary however such outreach needs to be consistent and long-term. Plus, we continue to have an outdated approach of Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. outpatient services that only a tiny fraction of any population (including the mainstream) that needs it is actually accessing.

So we continue to operate in ways that has little value to South Asian families who are struggling with a social-emotional health issue, and we then blame these very same families for when their problems become so bad it becomes a medical or criminal justice matter. Again, I suppose thats easier blame the families for what they are doing wrong rather than to take a serious inventory of what the social services are doing wrong and make efforts to change it.

Some may argue Why should we change for a specific population? Id argue that whats good for South Asians is good for everyone else! By that I mean the system really, as Ive alluded to earlier, isnt working great for anyone and that by making it more responsive to South Asians we ultimately make it more responsive to all populations. (I would also argue another point for those who say why change for a specific population- that South Asians pay their taxes just like everyone else, and therefore deserve a fair share of appropriate services like everyone else!)

Of course its easier to maintain the status quo, and continue to blame South Asians for their unwillingness to get help, than to take on a massive and bureaucratic social service system and push for change. Ultimately its up to us if we want to keep playing into that stereotype or if we want something better. I think we deserve better.

Gary Thandi, MSW RSW, Doctor of Education candidate, is a Special Columnist with The VOICE. He writes about emotional wellness and social justice issues as they relate to South Asian communities. He is also head of Moving Forward Family Services that provides counselling and support services to anyone who wants it without any waits. No one, regardless of their financial circumstances, will be turned away. Services are offered in English, Punjabi, Hindi, Urdu, Cantonese, Farsi, Japanese, Mandarin, Russian and Vietnamese. To access services, call or text 778-321-3054 or email him at counsellor@movingforwardfamilyservices.com.

Short URL: http://www.voiceonline.com/?p=50619

Posted by Rattan Mall on Dec 19 2015. Filed under Canadian News,Top Stories, British Columbia. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry

Lea Bianchin

December 20, 2015 - 9:57 am

Good morning,

Many thanks for bringing light to this! #sicknotcrazy #sicknotweak #invisibleillness #stigmakills #weareallequal

Lea Bianchin

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[dallysingh101]

I think the bigger and more important question is 'What can families do to protect their children from sexual abuse?'

[Guest Jacfsing2]

it happends in Punjabi families where girls an boys are molested by family members an told to keep there mouth shut

happends a lot in india

what are some ways to fight this problem an bring awareness an rally the community together to fight this

If someone is silent what can the Gurdwaras do? Also we need to be practical on what local Gurdwaras can do, they barely have any money, (the historical Gurdwaras do have money, but they've been owned by Massands like Badal). You have to be practical and If you have ideas don't tell others to do it for you: Take the leadership and management of a new organization to help people specifically with abuse. Don't ask someone to do it for you, if you have ideas build on it!