VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN - EXAMINING ETHNIC-DIFFERENCES AND COMMONALITIES

Ethnic differences and commonalities rarely have been the focus of com munity-bared research on violence against women. The few existing stud ies typically used survey instruments developed on and used with Anglo s and simply applied them to members of other ethnic groups. The propo sed conceptual framework is based on a review of the published literat ure and on information gleaned from focus groups conducted with women and men from four ethnic groups (Black, White, Asian, and Latino). Eth nicity and culture-along with broad social factors and institutions, g ender role definitions, kin and friendship networks, and individual li fe-course factors-influence what behaviors are acceptable in an intima te relationship. The intersection of gender and ethnicity is hypothesi zed to influence the options that a woman perceives, the help she seek s, and the nature and scope of violence she experiences in an intimate relationship. Observations relevant to research policy and service pr ovision are offered.