Community Organizing and Transformative Change in the Response to Domestic Violence in India.

Community Organizing and Transformative Change in the Response to Domestic Violence in India.
Am J Community Psychol. 2020 May 26;:
Authors: Menon SV, Allen NE
Abstract
Pervasive cultural narratives that normalize domestic violence have made efforts to respond to domestic violence in India challenging. An effective response to domestic violence in India needs to be transformative in nature, supporting the empowerment of survivors of violence and empowering communities to support survivors. Various studies have highlighted the importance of settings like grassroots organizations for promoting empowerment of members through community organizing. This qualitative study builds on this growing body of research using a grassroots agency in India as an exemplar to understand (a) empowering processes at the individual and community level associated with the agency's community organizing efforts; and (b) salient mechanisms associated with social change and action in the response to domestic violence in the community. At the individual level, the agency's organizing efforts provided knowledge, skills and resources, and opportunities for participation and leadership. At the community level, the agency engages in capacity building and increases social capital of members. The mechanisms that emerged as salient were increased critical consciousness of members, an emphasis on breaking the silence around domestic violence, community trust and cohesi...

Source: American Journal of Community Psychology - May 25, 2020 Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Menon SV, Allen NE Tags: Am J Community Psychol Source Type: research