Episode 112: Breaking the Silence: South Asian Voices on Domestic Violence

In this episode of Brown and Happy, we sit down with Madhu, a South Asian mother, finance professional, and community advocate, for a deeply personal and powerful conversation about domestic violence in South Asian communities.

Madhu lives in Somerset, NJ with her beautiful 9-year-old daughter and her adorable 5-year-old, four-legged son, Tofu. She is the Chief Compliance Officer and Senior Client Manager at Wealth Planning Advisory Group in Bedminster, NJ. Madhu also serves as the Board Treasurer for Manavi, a pioneering organization dedicated to ending violence against South Asian women.

Madhu shares her insight and experiences, along with her work as Board Treasurer for Manavi—a New Jersey–based nonprofit that has been supporting South Asian survivors of gender-based violence since 1985. Together, we explore the cultural stigma that keeps survivors silent, the role of organizations like Manavi, and how community-based healing and justice are possible.

This conversation is for anyone who wants to understand the intersection of culture, silence, survival, and strength.

👉 In this episode:

• Why domestic violence is rarely talked about in South Asian families

• How cultural expectations and immigration status impact survivors

• What Manavi does to support women across the U.S.

• Madhu’s story and why she chooses to advocate

• Ways to support survivors and break cycles of silence

🔗 Learn more or support the work at www.manavi.org