Supporting people from migrant and refugee communities

Because of racism, discrimination, language barriers, and differences in cultural contexts, people from migrant and refugee communities in Australia can be disproportionately impacted by family violence because they face some distinct risk factors and experience additional barriers to support.

• The perpetrator using threats related to immigration, visa status and sponsorship as a form of isolation and control. This is particularly relevant for victim survivors with temporary residency status.₁
• The perpetrator using financial and social dependence due to a perpetrator due to limited work rights, language barriers, Centrelink eligibility and/or bank account access to abuse and control the victim survivor.
• Family networks supporting perpetrator’s use of violence or feeling it is justified. This might include family networks also perpetrating violence towards the victim survivor or socially isolating them from the community if they choose to report abuse or seek help.
• Social isolation, rejection and discrimination from family, community and faith institutions if they choose to report abuse, seek help or end the relationship.
• Victim survivors sympathising with perpetrators’ experiences of discrimination and excusing their use of violence.
• Lack of support options and limited rights and for victim survivors without permanent residency and uncertain visa status, including asylum seekers, due to Australian immigration laws.
• Service access barriers relating to a lack of services’ understanding of the complexities of family violence for culturally, linguistically, and faith-diverse communities.
• Some forms of abuse experienced by victim survivors from culturally, linguistically, and faith-diverse communities in Australia may not be readily recognised as family violence, such as forced/early marriage or dowry-related abuse.₂

• Speaking no or limited English and having limited access to interpreters or translated information.
• Service access barriers relating to a lack of services’ understanding of the complexities of family violence for culturally, linguistically, and faith-diverse communities.
• Limited access to information about family violence, support services and their rights under Australian law and local support services that are available. This includes limited access to information translated into community languages, and limited access to technology.
• Fear or distrust of authorities, such as the police or legal system, due to previous experiences in Australia and/or overseas.
• Racism and discrimination from service providers and/or the broader community.
• Limited access to financial resources to be able to access support or leave the abuse. For example, no phone or ability to access public transport.
• Social isolation, particularly for recent immigrants who may not know other people in Australia beyond the family members abusing them.
• The Australian legal and service system not widely recognising and understanding forced marriage, dowry abuse and visa abuse as forms of family violence.

When supporting a victim survivor from culturally, linguistically and faith-diverse communities, including victim survivors from migrant, refugee and asylum seeking backgrounds consider the following:

• The victim survivor’s cultural context may affect their experience of family violence. This could include:
  • Cultural stigma, norms, taboos, community pressures, social isolation, or dependency on partners/family members may all influence their experience of family violence.₃
  • Isolation from family and community because of family violence.
  • Cultural or faith-based beliefs discouraging separation or divorce.
  • Parenting norms and practices.
  • Impacts of experiences of racism and discrimination in Australia, including experiences of family members and friends.
• Provide support in a culturally safe way. Work collaboratively with the victim survivor, with care and insight for their culture while being mindful of your own.₄
• Some people from culturally, linguistically and faith-diverse communities may also present with physical and mental health issues exacerbated by displacement and exposure to violence and trauma in their country of origin.
• Some victim survivors may speak no or limited English. Consider whether you need to use an interpreter, communication aids, or provide information in their preferred language. Check out inTouch’s tip sheet on working with interpreters here.
• Some victim survivors may be fearful and hesitant about engaging with the legal system or police. Take the time to listen these fears and explain how the system works in a way that’s accessible and relevant to the person.
• Partner with victim survivors to build understanding of their legal rights and entitlements, including supporting access to independent legal advice, financial assistance, compensation, and other support services. Provide information on duty of care, information sharing schemes and consent limitations to help the victim survivor make informed decisions.
• Take the time to work with the victim survivor to understand their visa status and how this may be used by the perpetrator to abuse and control. Do not assume the victim survivor’s visa status, for example that the victim survivor’s visa is sponsored visas and therefore dependent on the perpetrator. The differences may be significant when considering safety planning and risk management.
• Be aware of how visa or immigration status can impact on access to services. Visa status may also be used by a perpetrator as a tool of coercion or control.₅Visa status may also affect the victim survivor’s eligibility for services such as Centrelink, housing support or healthcare.₆

inTouch Multicultural Centre Against Family Violence is a specialist family violence service that works with women from migrant and refugee backgrounds in Victoria.

If you are a Victorian professional, contact inTouch on 1800 755 988 or fill out an online form for secondary consultation or referral.

Check out inTouch’s resources for professionals on supporting women on temporary migration visas experiencing family violence, working with interpreters and intersectionality in practice.

This tip sheet provides information to help family violence practitioners
understand what forced marriage is, the signs to look out for, and ways
to support someone who has experienced forced marriage.

Under the Family Violence Risk and Management Framework (MARAM) many Victorian workforces have prescribed roles and responsibilities in recognising and responding to people experiencing family violence. The MARAM Practice Guides provide more information and detailed practice guidance. This resource provides supplementary information to prompt further consideration and support your development as a family violence professional.