BATH — New Hope for Women was recently chosen to host a discussion regarding the challenges of reaching rural victims of domestic violence with seven up-and-coming leaders from Bangladesh.

Joined by interpreters and staff from the Department of State and the World Affairs Council of Maine, the 90-minute conversation held at Bath City Hall revealed common barriers experienced in both countries, as well as significant differences.

In the United States as in Bangladesh, domestic abuse victims are often hesitant to enter a shelter due to a fear of the unknown and a reluctance to lose control of their environment. The cash-based culture in Bangladesh creates a very different set of challenges in locating domestic violence suspects than in the United States, however, since few citizens have bank accounts or credit cards and there are no government-issued identity cards.

The Bangladeshi women were part of the International Visitor Leadership Program, a United States State Department professional exchange program, and were recommended for the program by United States embassy diplomats in their country.

New Hope for Women was selected for their expertise in providing services to rural victims of domestic violence. The Bangladeshi delegation also spent time in Washington D.C., Dallas-Fort Worth Texas, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

New Hope for Women offers support to people in Sagadahoc, Lincoln, Knox and Waldo counties affected by domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking. It also provides important educational resources to assist our communities in creating a safer and healthier future.

Learn more about New Hope for Women at www.newhopeforwomen.org or call 800-522-3304.