Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 143912 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
AORC AS AF AM AJ ASEC AU AMGT APER ACOA ASEAN AG AFFAIRS AR AFIN ABUD AO AEMR ADANA AMED AADP AINF ARF ADB ACS AE AID AL AC AGR ABLD AMCHAMS AECL AINT AND ASIG AUC APECO AFGHANISTAN AY ARABL ACAO ANET AFSN AZ AFLU ALOW ASSK AFSI ACABQ AMB APEC AIDS AA ATRN AMTC AVIATION AESC ASSEMBLY ADPM ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG AGOA ASUP AFPREL ARNOLD ADCO AN ACOTA AODE AROC AMCHAM AT ACKM ASCH AORCUNGA AVIANFLU AVIAN AIT ASECPHUM ATRA AGENDA AIN AFINM APCS AGENGA ABDALLAH ALOWAR AFL AMBASSADOR ARSO AGMT ASPA AOREC AGAO ARR AOMS ASC ALIREZA AORD AORG ASECVE ABER ARABBL ADM AMER ALVAREZ AORCO ARM APERTH AINR AGRI ALZUGUREN ANGEL ACDA AEMED ARC AMGMT AEMRASECCASCKFLOMARRPRELPINRAMGTJMXL ASECAFINGMGRIZOREPTU ABMC AIAG ALJAZEERA ASR ASECARP ALAMI APRM ASECM AMPR AEGR AUSTRALIAGROUP ASE AMGTHA ARNOLDFREDERICK AIDAC AOPC ANTITERRORISM ASEG AMIA ASEX AEMRBC AFOR ABT AMERICA AGENCIES AGS ADRC ASJA AEAID ANARCHISTS AME AEC ALNEA AMGE AMEDCASCKFLO AK ANTONIO ASO AFINIZ ASEDC AOWC ACCOUNT ACTION AMG AFPK AOCR AMEDI AGIT ASOC ACOAAMGT AMLB AZE AORCYM AORL AGRICULTURE ACEC AGUILAR ASCC AFSA ASES ADIP ASED ASCE ASFC ASECTH AFGHAN ANTXON APRC AFAF AFARI ASECEFINKCRMKPAOPTERKHLSAEMRNS AX ALAB ASECAF ASA ASECAFIN ASIC AFZAL AMGTATK ALBE AMT AORCEUNPREFPRELSMIGBN AGUIRRE AAA ABLG ARCH AGRIC AIHRC ADEL AMEX ALI AQ ATFN AORCD ARAS AINFCY AFDB ACBAQ AFDIN AOPR AREP ALEXANDER ALANAZI ABDULRAHMEN ABDULHADI ATRD AEIR AOIC ABLDG AFR ASEK AER ALOUNI AMCT AVERY ASECCASC ARG APR AMAT AEMRS AFU ATPDEA ALL ASECE ANDREW
EAIR ECON ETRD EAGR EAID EFIN ETTC ENRG EMIN ECPS EG EPET EINV ELAB EU ECONOMICS EC EZ EUN EN ECIN EWWT EXTERNAL ENIV ES ESA ELN EFIS EIND EPA ELTN EXIM ET EINT EI ER EAIDAF ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECTRD EUR ECOWAS ECUN EBRD ECONOMIC ENGR ECONOMY EFND ELECTIONS EPECO EUMEM ETMIN EXBS EAIRECONRP ERTD EAP ERGR EUREM EFI EIB ENGY ELNTECON EAIDXMXAXBXFFR ECOSOC EEB EINF ETRN ENGRD ESTH ENRC EXPORT EK ENRGMO ECO EGAD EXIMOPIC ETRDPGOV EURM ETRA ENERG ECLAC EINO ENVIRONMENT EFIC ECIP ETRDAORC ENRD EMED EIAR ECPN ELAP ETCC EAC ENEG ESCAP EWWC ELTD ELA EIVN ELF ETR EFTA EMAIL EL EMS EID ELNT ECPSN ERIN ETT EETC ELAN ECHEVARRIA EPWR EVIN ENVR ENRGJM ELBR EUC EARG EAPC EICN EEC EREL EAIS ELBA EPETUN EWWY ETRDGK EV EDU EFN EVN EAIDETRD ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ ETEX ESCI EAIDHO EENV ETRC ESOC EINDQTRD EINVA EFLU EGEN ECE EAGRBN EON EFINECONCS EIAD ECPC ENV ETDR EAGER ETRDKIPR EWT EDEV ECCP ECCT EARI EINVECON ED ETRDEC EMINETRD EADM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID ETAD ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA EMINECINECONSENVTBIONS ESSO ETRG ELAM ECA EENG EITC ENG ERA EPSC ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EIPR ELABPGOVBN EURFOR ETRAD EUE EISNLN ECONETRDBESPAR ELAINE EGOVSY EAUD EAGRECONEINVPGOVBN EINVETRD EPIN ECONENRG EDRC ESENV EB ENER ELTNSNAR EURN ECONPGOVBN ETTF ENVT EPIT ESOCI EFINOECD ERD EDUC EUM ETEL EUEAID ENRGY ETD EAGRE EAR EAIDMG EE EET ETER ERICKSON EIAID EX EAG EBEXP ESTN EAIDAORC EING EGOV EEOC EAGRRP EVENTS ENRGKNNPMNUCPARMPRELNPTIAEAJMXL ETRDEMIN EPETEIND EAIDRW ENVI ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC EDUARDO EGAR EPCS EPRT EAIDPHUMPRELUG EPTED ETRB EPETPGOV ECONQH EAIDS EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR EAGRBTIOBEXPETRDBN ESF EINR ELABPHUMSMIGKCRMBN EIDN ETRK ESTRADA EXEC EAIO EGHG ECN EDA ECOS EPREL EINVKSCA ENNP ELABV ETA EWWTPRELPGOVMASSMARRBN EUCOM EAIDASEC ENR END EP ERNG ESPS EITI EINTECPS EAVI ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID ELTRN EADI ELDIN ELND ECRM EINVEFIN EAOD EFINTS EINDIR ENRGKNNP ETRDEIQ ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD EAIT ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ EWWI ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEAIR ECONEFIN EHUM EFNI EOXC EISNAR ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM EMW ETIO ETRDGR EMN EXO EATO EWTR ELIN EAGREAIDPGOVPRELBN EINVETC ETTD EIQ ECONCS EPPD ESS EUEAGR ENRGIZ EISL EUNJ EIDE ENRGSD ELAD ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO ENTG ETRDECD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS
KPKO KIPR KWBG KPAL KDEM KTFN KNNP KGIC KTIA KCRM KDRG KWMN KJUS KIDE KSUM KTIP KFRD KMCA KMDR KCIP KTDB KPAO KPWR KOMC KU KIRF KCOR KHLS KISL KSCA KGHG KS KSTH KSEP KE KPAI KWAC KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KPRP KVPR KAWC KUNR KZ KPLS KN KSTC KMFO KID KNAR KCFE KRIM KFLO KCSA KG KFSC KSCI KFLU KMIG KRVC KV KVRP KMPI KNEI KAPO KOLY KGIT KSAF KIRC KNSD KBIO KHIV KHDP KBTR KHUM KSAC KACT KRAD KPRV KTEX KPIR KDMR KMPF KPFO KICA KWMM KICC KR KCOM KAID KINR KBCT KOCI KCRS KTER KSPR KDP KFIN KCMR KMOC KUWAIT KIPRZ KSEO KLIG KWIR KISM KLEG KTBD KCUM KMSG KMWN KREL KPREL KAWK KIMT KCSY KESS KWPA KNPT KTBT KCROM KPOW KFTN KPKP KICR KGHA KOMS KJUST KREC KOC KFPC KGLB KMRS KTFIN KCRCM KWNM KHGH KRFD KY KGCC KFEM KVIR KRCM KEMR KIIP KPOA KREF KJRE KRKO KOGL KSCS KGOV KCRIM KEM KCUL KRIF KCEM KITA KCRN KCIS KSEAO KWMEN KEANE KNNC KNAP KEDEM KNEP KHPD KPSC KIRP KUNC KALM KCCP KDEN KSEC KAYLA KIMMITT KO KNUC KSIA KLFU KLAB KTDD KIRCOEXC KECF KIPRETRDKCRM KNDP KIRCHOFF KJAN KFRDSOCIRO KWMNSMIG KEAI KKPO KPOL KRD KWMNPREL KATRINA KBWG KW KPPD KTIAEUN KDHS KRV KBTS KWCI KICT KPALAOIS KPMI KWN KTDM KWM KLHS KLBO KDEMK KT KIDS KWWW KLIP KPRM KSKN KTTB KTRD KNPP KOR KGKG KNN KTIAIC KSRE KDRL KVCORR KDEMGT KOMO KSTCC KMAC KSOC KMCC KCHG KSEPCVIS KGIV KPO KSEI KSTCPL KSI KRMS KFLOA KIND KPPAO KCM KRFR KICCPUR KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KFAM KWWMN KENV KGH KPOP KFCE KNAO KTIAPARM KWMNKDEM KDRM KNNNP KEVIN KEMPI KWIM KGCN KUM KMGT KKOR KSMT KISLSCUL KNRV KPRO KOMCSG KLPM KDTB KFGM KCRP KAUST KNNPPARM KUNH KWAWC KSPA KTSC KUS KSOCI KCMA KTFR KPAOPREL KNNPCH KWGB KSTT KNUP KPGOV KUK KMNP KPAS KHMN KPAD KSTS KCORR KI KLSO KWNN KNP KPTD KESO KMPP KEMS KPAONZ KPOV KTLA KPAOKMDRKE KNMP KWMNCI KWUN KRDP KWKN KPAOY KEIM KGICKS KIPT KREISLER KTAO KJU KLTN KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KQ KWPR KSCT KGHGHIV KEDU KRCIM KFIU KWIC KNNO KILS KTIALG KNNA KMCAJO KINP KRM KLFLO KPA KOMCCO KKIV KHSA KDM KRCS KWBGSY KISLAO KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KCRI KX KWWT KPAM KVRC KERG KK KSUMPHUM KACP KSLG KIF KIVP KHOURY KNPR KUNRAORC KCOG KCFC KWMJN KFTFN KTFM KPDD KMPIO KCERS KDUM KDEMAF KMEPI KHSL KEPREL KAWX KIRL KNNR KOMH KMPT KISLPINR KADM KPER KTPN KSCAECON KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KCSI KNRG KAKA KFRP KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KQM KQRDQ KWBC KMRD KVBL KOM KMPL KEDM KFLD KPRD KRGY KNNF KPROG KIFR KPOKO KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KHIB KOEM KDDG KCGC
PGOV PREL PK PTER PINR PO PHUM PARM PREF PINF PRL PM PINS PROP PALESTINIAN PE PBTS PNAT PHSA PL PA PSEPC POSTS POLITICS POLICY POL PU PAHO PHUMPGOV PGOG PARALYMPIC PGOC PNR PREFA PMIL POLITICAL PROV PRUM PBIO PAK POV POLG PAR POLM PHUMPREL PKO PUNE PROG PEL PROPERTY PKAO PRE PSOE PHAS PNUM PGOVE PY PIRF PRES POWELL PP PREM PCON PGOVPTER PGOVPREL PODC PTBS PTEL PGOVTI PHSAPREL PD PG PRC PVOV PLO PRELL PEPFAR PREK PEREZ PINT POLI PPOL PARTIES PT PRELUN PH PENA PIN PGPV PKST PROTESTS PHSAK PRM PROLIFERATION PGOVBL PAS PUM PMIG PGIC PTERPGOV PSHA PHM PHARM PRELHA PELOSI PGOVKCMABN PQM PETER PJUS PKK POUS PTE PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PERM PRELGOV PAO PNIR PARMP PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PHYTRP PHUML PFOV PDEM PUOS PN PRESIDENT PERURENA PRIVATIZATION PHUH PIF POG PERL PKPA PREI PTERKU PSEC PRELKSUMXABN PETROL PRIL POLUN PPD PRELUNSC PREZ PCUL PREO PGOVZI POLMIL PERSONS PREFL PASS PV PETERS PING PQL PETR PARMS PNUC PS PARLIAMENT PINSCE PROTECTION PLAB PGV PBS PGOVENRGCVISMASSEAIDOPRCEWWTBN PKNP PSOCI PSI PTERM PLUM PF PVIP PARP PHUMQHA PRELNP PHIM PRELBR PUBLIC PHUMKPAL PHAM PUAS PBOV PRELTBIOBA PGOVU PHUMPINS PICES PGOVENRG PRELKPKO PHU PHUMKCRS POGV PATTY PSOC PRELSP PREC PSO PAIGH PKPO PARK PRELPLS PRELPK PHUS PPREL PTERPREL PROL PDA PRELPGOV PRELAF PAGE PGOVGM PGOVECON PHUMIZNL PMAR PGOVAF PMDL PKBL PARN PARMIR PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PDD PRELKPAO PKMN PRELEZ PHUMPRELPGOV PARTM PGOVEAGRKMCAKNARBN PPEL PGOVPRELPINRBN PGOVSOCI PWBG PGOVEAID PGOVPM PBST PKEAID PRAM PRELEVU PHUMA PGOR PPA PINSO PROVE PRELKPAOIZ PPAO PHUMPRELBN PGVO PHUMPTER PAGR PMIN PBTSEWWT PHUMR PDOV PINO PARAGRAPH PACE PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOVAU PGOF PBTSRU PRGOV PRHUM PCI PGO PRELEUN PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PMR PRTER PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PRELNL PINOCHET PAARM PKPAO PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA POPDC PRELC PHUME PER PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PAUL PHALANAGE PARTY PPEF PECON PEACE PROCESS PPGOV PLN PRELSW PHUMS PRF PEDRO PHUMKDEM PUNR PVPR PATRICK PGOVKMCAPHUMBN PRELA PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PBT PAMQ

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 08HANOI750, NGOs, Vietnam Women's Union Address Domestic Violence

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08HANOI750.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
08HANOI750 2008-06-25 07:56 2011-08-26 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Hanoi
VZCZCXRO2582
RR RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHHM RUEHNH
DE RUEHHI #0750/01 1770756
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250756Z JUN 08
FM AMEMBASSY HANOI
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8069
INFO RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH 4890
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 HANOI 000750 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, G/IWI 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PREL KWMN PGOV VM
SUBJECT: NGOs, Vietnam Women's Union Address Domestic Violence 
Prevention 
 
REF: A) 07 HANOI 2011, B) HANOI 0749 
 
HANOI 00000750  001.2 OF 003 
 
 
1. (U) SUMMARY:  During her June 9-11 visit to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh 
City, Andrea Bottner, Senior Coordinator, Office of International 
Women's Issues, participated in roundtable discussions with the 
Vietnam Women's Union (VWU) and local and international NGOs, 
visited to two women's shelters hotlines for domestic violence and 
human trafficking victims.  Vietnamese interlocutors provided 
extensive background about the challenges of addressing domestic 
violence in Vietnam, including the need for shelters for victims and 
lack of public awareness.  End Summary. 
 
VWU Domestic Violence Shelter 
----------------------------- 
 
2. (U) The VWU and the National Committee for the Advancement of 
Women in Hanoi conducted a lively discussion on the need for an 
effective shelter system in Vietnam, as well as the need for trained 
social workers to provide counseling and other services.  Ms. 
Bottner shared the U.S. experience with shelters, noting that these 
facilities began as emergency services for women in crisis, but now 
offer an expanded array of services based on the needs of the 
victims, including health, counseling, legal aid, and employment 
services.  Today, U.S. shelters are striving to reach isolated 
communities and improve service delivery to underserved populations. 
 
 
3. (U) Ms. Le Thi Thuy, Director of the Center for Women and 
Development (CWD), a sub-organization of the VWU, explained that 
Vietnam has one pilot shelter in Hanoi - the "Peace House Project." 
Peace House has served forty women and children since it first 
opened in March 2007 and is an early first step in building a system 
of shelters to provide counseling and assistance to victims of 
domestic violence.  The Peace House slogan, "You are not alone, we 
are beside you," is aimed at encouraging women to have the 
self-confidence to come forward and seek help when they are being 
abused. 
 
4. (U) Along with providing free accommodation, access to health 
care, legal aid, and group activities for victims of domestic 
violence, the project also provides counseling services and 
information on the prevention of domestic violence, drug use, human 
trafficking, and HIV/AIDS.  Peace House residents may choose to work 
at the CWD guest house so that they can begin to earn their own 
money.  Ms. Thuy cited good coordination with the local hospital and 
local lawyers, but emphasized that the project is still sensitive 
and not publicly known.  While access is usually only provided to 
donors, Ms. Bottner's group toured the facility and spoke with its 
staff and several residents. 
 
5. (U) Ms. Bottner praised these efforts, highlighting that Vietnam 
has taken an important first step in providing what women in abusive 
situations need - a safe place to go.  To the great interest of the 
VWU, Ms. Bottner provided a detailed explanation of the Family 
Justice Center (FJC) model in the U.S., explaining that an FJC 
strives to provide all services a victim might need under one roof, 
including to those women who may not be ready to leave an abusive 
situation and enter a shelter.  Given the cultural importance of 
family unity, the VWU suggested this model may work well in 
addressing the needs of domestic violence victims who may not be 
prepared leave an abusive partner for fear of shaming their family 
or community. 
 
6. (U) Ms. Green, a member of Ms. Bottner's party, explained that 
Second Chance Employment Services (SCES), the U.S.-based NGO she 
leads, seeks to provide services for victims who have moved beyond 
the crisis stage by working with businesses and service providers in 
the community.  The VWU Family Department showed particular interest 
in SCES's ability to provide services free of charge (providers work 
pro bono).  Ms. Green clarified that SCES is mostly privately 
funded, but has received USG grant money.  She also explained that 
SCES's strong working relationship with law enforcement is a key 
part of its enduring success. 
 
Engagement with the DV Prevention Network 
----------------------------------------- 
 
7. (U) In an animated roundtable discussion hosted by the Center for 
Studies and Applied Sciences in Gender-Family-Women and Adolescents 
(CSAGA), Ms. Bottner and members Domestic Violence Prevention 
Network in Vietnam (DOVIPNET) shared experiences and highlighted 
ongoing challenges in combating domestic violence. 
 
8. (U) Background note:  CSAGA is a Vietnamese NGO whose mission is 
to increase awareness and resolve problems related to gender, 
family, women and adolescents by reaching out through counseling, 
communication and training.  DOVIPNET, established on October 27, 
2007 (largely due to the efforts of CSAGA's director, Ms. Nguyen Van 
 
HANOI 00000750  002.2 OF 003 
 
 
Anh), is a network of individuals, domestic and international NGOs, 
and foreign donors, who share experiences and initiatives and work 
together on domestic violence issues.  End background note. 
 
9. (U) The group discussion initially focused on public awareness, 
education, and training.  A Project Officer from a local NGO, 
Consultation of Investment in Health Promotion, Ms. Quang Thu Trang, 
discussed a project in Vietnam's Central highlands, noting their 
efforts to convince local authorities that domestic violence is not 
a one family problem but an issue for the whole community.  Success 
in changing attitudes is one of the main factors in evaluating the 
success of their projects. 
 
10. (U) ActionAid, an international NGO, conducts training for the 
VWU at local levels and local public awareness campaigns.  Ms. Tran 
Tu Hang, ActionAid Project Officer, highlighted one project wherein 
the entire community participated in a creative writing campaign on 
the theme of domestic violence.  Ms. Van Anh also noted CSAGA's work 
to improve mass media coverage of the issue, including trying to 
educate and train reporters on domestic violence. 
 
11. (U) Ms. To Thi Bay, Program Officer with the Mennonite Central 
Committee, commented that NGO efforts are vital as the GVN often 
focuses training efforts on mediation and resolution in an attempt 
to keep families together.  Ms. Bay criticized this approach, noting 
that women facing violence need to leave abusive situations first 
and consider reconciliation attempts after they are safe.  The 
Institute for Social Development Studies representative, Dr. Khuat 
Tu Hong, agreed, stating that the goal is a safe family, not just 
keeping a family together.  She added her criticism of the 
reconciliation committees, noting that they sometimes encourage 
women to stay in abusive situations in order to keep families 
together.  The community leaders want harmonious families in order 
to keep the peace in the community.  "Civil society must be 
engaged," stated Dr. Hong, "women have been waiting too long for the 
government to do something about this problem." 
 
12. (U) Many participants agreed on the need to provide women a safe 
environment, even in the absence of a shelter system.  ActionAid, 
for example, set up clubs for women to share their experiences and 
support each other.  Several participants also have similar projects 
in rural communities and underscored the importance of establishing 
groups that meet regularly to allow victims sufficient time to 
become confident enough to speak out.  (Note:  Following the 
discussion, Ms. Bottner's group toured the CSAGA hotline facility, 
chatting to volunteers manning the phones.  The crisis hotline was 
established in 1997 and now has two numbers - one for domestic 
violence victims and one for trafficking victims.  End note.) 
 
13. (SBU) In HCMC, conflicting opinions regarding cultural attitudes 
and family reconciliation were themes in discussions with NGOs.  A 
HCMC Women's Union official noted that part of their efforts to 
prevent domestic violence included classes on beauty and cooking to 
"help wives make husbands happier."  Several NGOs representatives 
emphasized that reconciliation should be the primary goal when 
dealing with cases of domestic violence.  While admitting that this 
complicated the development of a formal shelter system to support 
victims of domestic violence who may need to leave their home, 
several NGO representatives explained that there is a network of 
"Reliable Addresses," where a victim can go to the home of a 
community leader, who will help with the reconciliation process, or 
call in the authorities as warranted (ref B).  Others advocated for 
services based on victims needs, including shelters or employment 
services, even if it meant the couples would not be reconciled.  A 
number of NGO leaders agreed with the view of some GVN officials 
that domestic violence could be the result of external factors, like 
poverty, economic changes, alcoholism and conflicts with in-laws, 
rather than recognizing the behavioral issues and putting the 
appropriate blame on the abuser.  While attitudes are still 
evolving, all of the HCMC NGO representatives present voiced a 
strong commitment to combat domestic violence and raise public 
awareness. 
 
Comment 
------- 
 
14. (SBU) Local and international NGOs are clearly rising to the 
challenge of domestic violence prevention and in some cases, leading 
the charge.  However, entrenched cultural attitudes, the low level 
of public awareness, challenges associated with coordination between 
the the GVN and NGOs, donors, health care professionals, and other 
service providers, a lack of resources, and the need for trained 
social workers and counselors to build and maintain a viable shelter 
system in Vietnam mean that advocacy organizations still have their 
work cut out for them.  Implementing the DV law will require the 
active engagement of NGOs, the Vietnam Women's Union and others in 
the advocacy community to effectively combat domestic violence over 
the long term.  Key NGOs understand the complexity of the problem 
 
HANOI 00000750  003.2 OF 003 
 
 
sufficiently to educate those driving the legal implementation 
process forward.  The high level of engagement and interest from the 
Vietnam Women's Union and the Center for Women and Development also 
bodes well for greater progress on this issue.  Ms. Bottner's visit 
highlighted the importance to the U.S. of combating domestic 
violence and lent significant credibility to those organizations at 
the forefront of the issue.  End comment. 
 
15. (U) This cable was jointly prepared with ConGen Ho Chi Minh City 
and cleared by G/IWI. 
 
ALOISI