ACA Responds to Violence, Harassment and Bullying Against Asian American Community

Mar 17, 2021

The recent mass shooting of eight people in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian American women, has underscored a disturbing surge in racist-driven violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, discriminatory and unfounded assertions for its cause have been unfairly leveled against Asian Americans and fueled by problematic terminology used by some of our nation’s top leaders.

According to research released by reporting forum Stop AAPI Hate on Tuesday, “nearly 3,800 incidents were reported over the course of roughly a year during the pandemic.” Women made up a far higher share of the reports, at 68%, compared with men, who made up 29% of respondents.

The American Counseling Association (ACA) recognizes the horror of these events and the resulting trauma. We call on public policy officials and communities to speak up against this violence and provide resources for those most vulnerable. As defined by federal law, this latest example of white domestic terrorism should galvanize us all to unequivocally condemn the long-standing bullying and victimization of the AAPI community.

“The American Counseling Association has a long history of speaking out against discrimination. Our advocacy for the profession and those served by our members must remain vigilant, especially in the face of murders such as these. Any type of hate, including that which is race-based, cannot be tolerated. Our association and its members are saddened by this latest episode, and we will continue to work in partnership with those who envision a just, safe and caring world,” said Richard Yep, ACA Chief Executive Officer.

All ACA members must be willing to challenge these systems, but also confront one’s own biases, stereotypes, and racial worldview. Moving forward, our actions will be based on input from our members and the voices of others. We are committed to change.

 

RESOURCES FOR COUNSELORS AND THE PUBLIC

Journal Articles

Journal of Counseling & Development (JCD)

Note. Full-text content from JCD is free to ACA members by logging into the ACA website, and available on a pay-per-view basis to nonmembers.

Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development (JMCD)

  • Help-Seeking Attitudes of Chinese Americans and Chinese Immigrants in the United States: The Mediating Role of Self-Stigma
  • Acculturation, Enculturation, Perceived Racism, and Psychological Symptoms Among Asian American College Students
  • Identifying and Treating Race-Based Trauma in Counseling
  • Note. Full-text content from JMCD is free to AMCD members by logging into the ACA website, and available on a pay-per-view basis to nonmembers.