FILIPINA SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE NEGOTIATING FAMILY VALUES A thesis submitted to the faculty of A 5 San Francisco State University (j, In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree E T H S I • V35 Master of Arts In Ethnic Studies by Daphnee Marie Galvante Valdez San Francisco, California Fall 2016 Copyright by Daphnee Marie Galvante Valdez 2016 CERTIFICATION OF APPROVAL I certify that I have read Filipina Survivors of Sexual Violence Negotiating Family Values by Daphnee Marie Galvante Valdez, and that in my opinion this work meets the criteria for approving a thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the degree Master of Arts in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. Eric J. Pido, Ph.D. Assistant Professor '-JVU ----------------- Mai-Nhung Le/t)rPH, MPH Professor FILIPINA SURVIVORS OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE NEGOTIATING FAMILY VALUES Daphnee Marie Galvante Valdez San Francisco, California 2016 According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Filipinos are the second largest Asian ethnic group in California and while multiple studies have shown that Asian/Asian American women, including Filipina/Filipina Americans, underreport sexual violence and underutilize therapy and/or counseling, research is lacking. The Filipino culture is collectivist, centered on the family. And in instances of sexual violence, Filipina survivors face challenging healing processes. Through qualitative in-depth interviews with eight self-identified Filipina survivors of sexual violence, ages 18 years of age or older, mostly from the San Francisco Bay Area, they share their stories and how they negotiate a contradictory patriarchal triangle of the Filipino family, historical Spanish Catholicism, and the pressures of American assimilation. Key findings illuminate how Filipina survivors of sexual violence negotiate a triangle of contradictions through their understandings of the Filipino family, healing processes, identity formation, and overall visions of this work. I certify that the Abstract is a correct representation of the content of this thesis Chair, Thesis Committee Date ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This project would not have possible without the bravery and elegance of the participants, your willingness to be vulnerable and give strength to other Filipina survivors of sexual violence. You are the kayumanggi, “beautiful brown of the Earth.” Thank you College of Ethnic Studies, staff, professors, and students. Thank you Dr. Chew for your unconditional support and tough love. Thank you Dr. Pido, my mentor, Kuya, for developing my academic voice and overall encouragement to finish this thesis. Thank you Professor Le for always believing in me and reminding me about self-care. Thank you to my family and friends for your love and patience. Thank you to my partner, Eric Chan for never failing to guide me through trials and tribulations. Thank you mommy and daddy; your resilience and unbreakable love are my first teachings of life. I never forget the obstacles we’ve overcome that have made it possible for me to reach for higher education and my passions. Thank you to many angels who have returned to the Earth and sky, who have guided me through this whole journey, especially my “big sister” Michelle Le, 156. What I do in life is always a reflection of my family, ancestry, and legacy. v TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures........................................................................................................................................................ viii List of Appendices.................................................................................................................................................... ix Introduction................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Chapter One: Literature Review...............................................................................................................................7 Part I: Sexual Violence...............................................................................................................7 General Studies About Sexual Violence.................................................................................. 7 Asian/Asian American Community And Sexual Violence.................................................... 9 Filipino/Filipino Americans Community And Sexual Violence..........................................18 Part II: The Filipino Family.................................................................................................................... 25 Chapter Two: Methodology................................................................................................................................... 33 Chapter Three: Analysis and Findings ........................................ 39 Part I: Filipino Family Values.................................................................................................40 Hiya, Utang Na Loob, Pakikisama......................................................................................... 40 Catholicism...................................................................................... 45 Matriarchy and Egalitarian...................................................................................................... 49 Part II: Sexual Violence Survivorship................................................................................................... 51 Lack of Agency: Child Sexual Abuse.................................................................................... 51 Lack of Agency : Intoxication/Drugged.................................................................................. 56 Disassociation............................................................................................................................56 Violation/Anger..................................................................... 5 8 Family Disclosure and Seeking Support................................................................................60 Non-Disclosure..........................................................................................................61 Forced Disclosure...................................................................................................... 64 Disclosure By Choice................................................................................70 Practicing Sexual Agency As A Survivor..............................................................................71 Exploration and Risk-Taking................................................................................... 72 Confusion................................................................................................................... 74 Relationships and Trust.............................................................................................75 Part III: Filipina Identity..........................................................................................................................78 Women As Center.................................................................................................................... 78 Self-Determination................................................................................................................... 79 Sisterhood.................................................................................................................................. 80 Part IV: Messages From The “ Kayumanggi”........................................................................................82 Sharing....................................................................................................................................... 83 Education................................................................................................................................... 85 Seek Support..............................................................................................................................87 Family and Friends................................................................................................................... 89 Forgiveness................................................................................................................................90 Chapter Four: Conclusion...................................................................................................................................... 92 Reference..................................................................................................................................................................96 Appendices.............................................................................................................................................................102 LIST OF FIGURES Figures Page 1. Figure 1....................................................................................................................6 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix Page 1. Protocol......................................................................................................................... 93 2. NIH Certificate of Completion....................................................................................114 3. NIH Certificate of Completion....................................................................................115 1 INTRODUCTION “My grandmother would say, ‘why do you let your dad come into your bedroom at night?’ She was victim shaming me [...] She was my guardian [...] telling me it’s my fault,