Violence removes people’s rights, and in Vietnam, violence against women and girls, including sexual assaults, sexual harassment, forced prostitution, and domestic violence is on the rise. Official data and studies in Vietnam show that rape and child sexual abuse are increasing. In Vietnam, there are few organizations addressing these issues, and materials are not readily available to help women and young girls seek help and deal with domestic violence, sexual abuse, and sexual harassment.
Since April 1998, the Population Council and the Center for Counseling on Psychology, Education, Love, Marriage and Family in Ho Chi Minh City (the Counseling Center) have conducted interventions' research on Counseling Materials Needed for the Ho Chi Minh City Hotline.
Through a pretest, we learned that clients most often seek counseling on marital issues, especially on domestic violence. All reported some form of physical and verbal abuse by husbands or boyfriends. Many mentioned being beaten, choked, kicked, slapped, and/or hit with large objects. After the pretest, qualitative research methodologies were used to identify skills, information, and materials needed by the counselors to counsel clients on a broad range of domestic violence and reproductive health issues. Resource materials on domestic violence and sexual health were developed and tested during a six month period. The interviews showed that this work is new to Vietnam and counselors find the topic of domestic violence difficult and controversial to deal with. The response to the hotline indicate a strong demand and need for such centers in other parts of Vietnam.
Learning Objectives: 1. Discuss intervention strategies for women in Vietnam who are in violent relationships. 2. Develop training materials for counselors and clients on counseling, domestic violence, and sexual health. 3. Assess methods in replicating interventions and lessons learned in other regions in Southeast Asia
Keywords: Counseling, Domestic Violence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Population Council, Hanoi
Center for Counseling on Psychology, Education, Love, Marriage and Family, Ho Chi Minh City
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.