The research for this article used available qualitative data from separate studies of South Asian-, Vietnamese-, and Hispanic-origin women victimized by intimate terrorism. Regardless of country of origin, period, or U.S. community, women used similar ways to cope. Consistent with perpetrators’ misogynistic attitudes and aim of enforcing patriarchal expectations, many women responded to abuse from positions of powerlessness and fear. Instrumental help from family and friends and, depending on the group, advocacy agencies or counseling services assisted women in leaving men or stopping the abuse. Women used multiple coping strategies, often adding new approaches when those used initially failed. © The Author(s) 2014.

domestic violence Cross-cultural comparison intimate terrorism

Interpersonal Relations demography minority group Terrorism human Asia Adaptation, Psychological Central America ethnology family size Hispanic Americans Family Characteristics Residence Characteristics human relation Spouse Abuse United States Humans migrant psychology attitude Hispanic Minority Groups sexism male Emigrants and Immigrants female adaptive behavior prevention and control Intimate Partner Violence partner violence crime victim Battered Women Fear battered woman Crime Victims