How to Support Asian American and Pacific Islander Survivors

The challenges facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities have received a wave of much-needed attention in recent months. The attention hinges on tragic examples of racial and gender-based violence and harassment amid a pandemic that stirred anti-Asian bias across the country.

The facts are startling. Stop AAPI Hate collected more than 6,600 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian hate across the country between March 2020, when the pandemic reached the United States, and March 2021. Many of these incidents often go unreported, so this alarming figure likely represents only a fraction of the number of hate incidents that actually occur.   

Here’s how you can help if you are…

• …a business leader. Workplace discrimination and refusal of service accounted for more than 10% of all the hate incidents collected by Stop AAPI Hate, and more than 30% of all incidents took place inside of businesses. This means business leaders can meaningfully contribute to reducing incidents overall by educating themselves and their employees on how to build inclusive workplace cultures and how to intervene to protect their AAPI customers.

• …an ally and everyday bystander. A significant percentage (nearly 38%) of all AAPI hate incidents take place in public streets and parks. This means that there’s a real opportunity for everyday people to intervene to support others. For tips on how to be a supportive bystander, you can read this tip sheet from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center or register for a bystander intervention training hosted by the Asian Americans Advancing Justice and RALIANCE Impact grantee Hollaback!.

• …an advocate for survivors of abuse. There is a long history of hyper-sexualization and sexual and physical violence against AAPI women. Recognizing that AAPI survivors face unique challenges and creating culturally competent options to meet their needs can make a big difference.

We at RALIANCE believe it will take all of us to tackle the systemic racism impacting the AAPI community and other underrepresented communities. For more resources to learn about the issues and how you can help, visit the Asian Pacific Institute on Gender-Based Violence, the National Organization of Asians and Pacific Islanders Ending Sexual Violence, and AAPI Women Lead. 

RALIANCE provides consulting, assessment, and employee development services to help build more equitable workplace cultures and create environments free from sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse. We stand ready to support your organization’s goals – contact us today at [email protected] to get started.