Breaking Down Barriers: Recommendations for Improving Sexual Abuse Reporting Rates in British South Asian Communities
Open accessAbstract
Sexual abuse reporting rates, which are low in general, are thought to be even worse for those living within British South Asian communities. After brief consideration of why British South Asian women and children do not report sexual abuse, this article focuses on the working practices of the non-governmental agencies that support such women. It reflects on existing legislation and policy and makes several key recommendations with reference to how this, along with practice, should change. The findings indicate an urgent need for a national training programme, the implementation of mandatory healthy relationship programmes, enhanced community involvement, outreach work and the creation of victim groups and mentor schemes.
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Women's reluctance to engage with the justice system often stems from fears of disbelief, judgment, or further victimization.
“Women’s reluctance to engage with the justice system often stems from fears of disbelief, judgment, or further victimization [29, 30]”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
The paper’s discussion of reporting barriers says some British South Asian women feared police would not believe them; its discussion of community responses (p. 20) describes fear of gossip and judgment. It does not establish that fear of further victimization by the justice system is a reason for reluctance, and its findings concern British South Asian women rather than women generally. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredMany survivors experience PTSD-related symptoms, anxiety, and depression, often rooted in feelings of powerlessness, guilt, and worthlessness.
“As a result, many survivors experience PTSD-related symptoms, anxiety, and depression, often rooted in feelings of powerlessness, guilt, and worthlessness [28–30].”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
The paper’s discussion of outreach projects (page not given) mentions women talking about why they feel anxiety, and its discussion of reporting barriers describes shame and victim-blaming. It does not report that many survivors experience PTSD-related symptoms or depression, or establish that those symptoms are rooted in powerlessness, guilt, and worthlessness. (LLM, conf=0.80)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredThese constructs often serve as mechanisms of social control, affecting both men and women in their help seeking behaviours.
“These constructs often serve as mechanisms of social control, affecting both men and women in their help seeking behaviours [28–30].”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
The paper’s discussion of honour and shame (page not supplied) identifies them as barriers to British South Asian women reporting sexual abuse. Its account of restrictions on where women could seek support (p. 9) also illustrates social control. The passages do not establish that these constructs affect men’s own help-seeking behaviour. (LLM, conf=0.85)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredCultural influences play a significant role in shaping how female survivors from South Asian communities interpret their trauma responses, involving fears of dishonouring the family.
“For instance, cultural influences play a significant role in shaping how female survivors from South Asian communities interpret their trauma responses, involving fears of dishonouring the family.”
From ‘We don’t talk about that around here’: an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) of South Asian male survivors’ experiences of childhood sexual abuse in the UK (2025) · cites this paper as [29]
In “Barriers to reporting sexual abuse” and the following discussion (page unavailable), the paper identifies family honour and shame as major barriers for British South Asian women and describes fears of blame and community judgement. It does not establish that these cultural influences shape how survivors interpret their trauma responses; its focus is on reporting sexual abuse. (LLM, conf=0.84)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredConcerns about dishonouring and shaming often lead families to cover up incidents of sexual violence against female members, fearing that it may tarnish their status in the community.
“Conversely, concerns about dishonouring and shaming often lead families to cover up incidents of sexual violence against female members, fearing that it may tarnish their status in the community [29, 30].”
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References 18 · Cited by 19
Research works printed but not linked: 2
- Office for National Statistics (2016), Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2016. Statistical Bulletin. London: Office for National Statistics.
- Office for National Statistics (2015), Crime in England and Wales: year ending March 2015. Statistical Bulletin. London: Office for National Statistics.
- Authors
- Harrison, K., & Gill, A. K.
- Affiliations
- University of Hull (GB)
- University of Roehampton (GB)
- Corresponding author
- Harrison, Karen
- Venue
- The British Journal of Criminology
- Publisher
- Oxford University Press (OUP)
- Published
- 2017-04-22
- Volume
- 58
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 273-290
- ISSN
- 0007-0955 (ISSN-L)
- 1464-3529
- OpenAlex
- W2607027817
- Cited by
- 19
- References
- 18
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2019: 1 · 2018: 2 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 2.85
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- The British Journal of Criminology (publishedVersion)
- Lincoln Repository (University of Lincoln) (acceptedVersion)
- Repository@Hull (Worktribe) (University of Hull) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Figshare (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Bristol Research (University of Bristol) (submittedVersion)
- Funders
- British Academy (SG122150)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Gender Studies › Sexual Assault and Victimization Studies
- Social Sciences › Health › Intimate Partner and Family Violence
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Child Abuse and Trauma
- Keywords
- British South Asian communities, non-governmental organizations, victim support, mandatory training, community outreach, victim groups, laws and regulations, women and children
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